Staying Hydrated: Your Landscapes Need Water, but so Does Your Crew

When it’s hot outside and you’ve been sweating, you get thirsty. Why? Thirst is a sign of dehydration, nature’s way of telling you that your body needs water.

The human body needs water to work properly. Usually, you can make up for the water your body loses simply by taking in more water. However, if the water lost is not replaced, you might start feeling sick. Go too long without the water you need, and you could become very ill and possibly need to go to the hospital.

That’s why keeping hydrated (keeping enough fluids in your body) is so important. And if you operate a business where many of your workers will be out in hot, humid conditions, it is essential that you look out for their well-being. Don’t leave hydration up to the individual. Make it your responsibility!

Signs of Dehydration

In addition to thirst, here are some signs a person might be dehydrated:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dry lips and mouth

Another sign of dehydration is less frequent urination. When it’s hot, you’ll lose more water through perspiration. But you won’t lose all water that way. You’ll still need to urinate. So be aware of the color. Normally, urine should be a pale yellow color. Dark or strong-smelling urine can be a sign of dehydration.

What to Do

If you can, try not to get dehydrated in the first place. If you’re going to be outside, it’s a good idea to drink water before, during, and after working at your jobsite…especially if it’s hot. Dehydration can happen along with heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In addition to drinking water, it’s smart to dress in cool clothes and take breaks—indoors, if possible, or at the very least in the shade.

One thing not to do is try to drink a large amount of water all at once, because your kidneys will simply flush the excess fluid by sending you to the bathroom. It’s better to drink regular amounts of fluid throughout the day.

Thirst-Quenching Tips

Do you have to drink eight glasses of water a day? No, but you do need to drink enough to satisfy your thirst, and maybe a little extra if you’re in a situation where you’re sweating a lot. The best thing to drink is always water; juice and sports drinks are fine once in a while, but there’s nothing like good old H2O.

Limit soda and other sugary drinks, such as fruit punches, lemonades, and iced teas. These drinks contain a lot of sugar that your body doesn’t need. Some of them also contain caffeine, which is a diuretic. This means that caffeinated drinks cause you to urinate more often than normal. In other words, they tell your body to get rid of fluids. And as you now know, that’s the opposite of what you need to do if you’re dehydrated!

Don’t forget…when you’re dehydrated, your mental capacity is severely reduced and that can make a job site terribly unsafe. So it is not only in the best interests of your individual workers, it is also essential to you and your entire crew, that everyone maintains the proper hydration.