You’re probably more dehydrated in the winter months. This is why

You're likely very much aware of all the reasons why you should drink more water. Yeah, we all know the drill by now: The more you sweat, the more water you have to drink. The problem is that for most people, sweating has become some sort of physiological marker. You might think: “Oh, I’ve worked up a pretty good sweat, I should take some sips now!” But because we sweat significantly more during the summer months than during the colder months of the year, we have a tendency to forget to drink in the winter. While drinking enough water is just as important during this time. This is the main reason that you’re probably more dehydrated in the winter than during the summer months.

Why you are probably more dehydrated during the winter months

Since we often associate sweating with the need to drink more water, in the winter (when we usually sweat a lot less) this urge gets pushed to the background. However, the fact that you don’t sweat as much in the winter, does not mean you’re not losing fluids. Moisture loss simply takes a different route during the winter months. Are you one of many people dealing with dry skin, cracked lips and a raspy voice in the colder months? This is caused by a process called transepidermal fluid loss, which is triggered by a lower humidity. Because it is cold outside, we turn up the heat in our houses. This makes the air even more dry; we’re creating an environment that basically sucks the moisture out of our bodies. The consequence is that – if we don’t drink as much as during the hotter months – we’re more dehydrated in the winter. Therefore, you should not just look at the amount of sweat you lose, but also take into account how dry the air in your home is.

How to stay hydrated in the winter

A good place to start with is simply increasing your water intake. How much water you need is different for everyone, and also depends on how often you work out and how intense those workouts are. Luckily, the winter months offer plenty of other ways to hydrated your body; think having soups and drinking a lot of tea. This also keeps you warm, so you can hit two birds with one stone! Aside from keeping yourself hydrated, it is also a good idea to check the humidity in your home. A hygrometer (a tiny device that measures the humidity levels inside the house) will only set you back a few bucks. Humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent are ideal for a home environment. Are yours below that? Then there are easy ways to bring the humidity up. Think buying more house plants, placing some bowls with water on your radiators or letting your laundry dry inside. If you’re experiencing serious humidity issues, investing in a humidifier is definitely worth considering.

Final thoughts

Dehydration is not just a summer thing. You can be dehydrated at any time of year. But the winter months are especially important to keep an eye on your moisture levels. Don’t forget: the fact that you’re not sweating as much, does not mean you’re not losing fluids.