The holidays, snow, the cold; these are all things we often think about during the winter season.But staying hydrated in the winter is something we should be thinking about as well. In fact, it is very important that we should think about it.

Every winter season there are thousands of advertisements and rumors about how to prevent getting sick with a cold or a flue. But the answer is very basic; stay hydrated.

Dehydration causes an increase in susceptibility to bacteria and viruses more often found in the cold and dry environment usually beginning in November and lasting until March.

Thankfully, there are simple remedies to prevent this and stay healthy.

Teas, Coffees, Cocoas
Perhaps the last thing you want to do during the winter is drink a nice cold glass of water. But you can still meet the suggested daily water intake by drinking it in other forms.

This is where teas, decaffeinated coffees, and cocoas are the perfect solution. They’re hot beverages, but most importantly, they still contain the water you need to survive.

Want to sit by the fire with a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate while it snows outside? Go ahead, you need to!

Eat Fruits and Vegetables
You may not like your leafy greens, but fruits and vegetables naturally contain water. Eating more of these is a lesser alternative to drinking water and staying hydrated.

Take a Longer Shower

Although drinking water is more effective, the body also absorbs water through the skin. By taking a longer shower, you can increase the amount of water you absorb, and negative some levels of body fluid loss.

Make Your Favorite Soup

A smart way to stay hydrated is by cracking open the family recipe book and making your favorite classic family soup. Not only is it made with love that will enrich your soul, but the liquid broth will enrich your body’s systems as well.

Use Lotions

It isn’t just your internal organs that need to remain hydrated; your skin needs it as well. The use of hand or other body lotions regularly will not just improve skin condition and appearance, but also help maintain your body’s ability to retain moisture.

Use A Humidifier

The more you crank up the heat in your home to stay warm, the drier the air gets. Consider using a humidifier to put back some of the moisture in the air. You don’t even have to buy a humidifying machine to do this; simply place a pot of water on the stove and heat it so that water is released into the air.

Although often overlooked, the importance of staying hydrated during the winter should not be forgotten. It is absolutely beneficial and necessary for your health to increase the amount of water you intake in these cold times.

By using some of the methods mentioned above, you can stay healthy and happy for the holidays.