08/07/2026
When it's cold, a common complaint is that people really struggle to get a decent amount on water onboard. We're rugged up, we're not sweating, and a glass of cold water is about the least appealing thing going. It can be easy to drink less through winter without ever deciding to.
Mild dehydration shows up as flagging energy and foggy concentration, often well before you feel thirsty. Your digestion relies on fluid to keep things moving comfortably. And it supports the parts of you working hardest this season: your immune system, and skin that's up against cold air outside and heating inside.
A few ways to keep hydration up when it's cold:
* Hot water with lemon, ginger, and a pinch of salt. Warming, and the salt helps the water actually stay with you.
* Broths and soups all count. A mug of miso or bone broth makes a lovely afternoon alternative to another coffee.
* If you work at a desk, get into the habit of making a herbal tea whenever you feel like you need a cognitive break. Two habits in one.
* Eat your water too. Stewed fruit, slow-cooked veg, and winter citrus (mandarin season, YAY) all contribute.
And if you're doing more saunas this season (a lovely winter habit), remember you're sweating out a decent amount in there. A glass or two of water before and after aims to cover what you lose, and some people find a small pinch of sea salt in their water afterwards helps too.
Nothing fancy needed. Just a little more intention than summer asks of us. What's your go-to warm drink at the moment? I'm deep in a ginger and honey phase.
