How Much Water You Really Need on Hot Texas Days

(KNUE-FM) It’s common knowledge that in East Texas it gets hot in the summertime, plus you add in the humidity, and you need to be careful to not get dehydrated which can lead to serious health problems. But if you need to mow the lawn or want to go fishing on the lake, how much water should you be drinking on a hot summer day in East Texas?

Let me start by saying I am not a doctor, I just want to make sure everyone in East Texas takes care of themselves while navigating the disrespectful heat and humidity we have come to expect.

Basic Rule of Thumb for How Much Water to Drink

For any healthy adult I have always heard you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily, so a 200-pound person should be around 100 ounces of water. But on hot and humid days in East Texas you should increase that amount by one to two extra cups of water per hour, especially if you’re spending time outdoors.

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Signs You Need to Drink More Water

If you start getting dry mouth, your body is already dehydrated, start drinking water immediately. Other symptoms of dehydration include getting a headache or feeling lightheaded, having muscle cramps, feeling dizzy or tired, or if your urine is dark yellow in color.

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Things That Help Dehydration, and Things to Avoid

Adding in a sports drink, coconut water or salty snacks can be beneficial if you’re dealing with dehydration. Although you should avoid sweet tea, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol.

Listen to your body when it needs water or rest. Remember there is nothing wrong with spending time hugging your air conditioner when these East Texas temperatures get extremely hot.