From relaxing with your friends on the beach to going for an invigorating stroll through the countryside, summer is the perfect time to appreciate the great outdoors. While this is all well and good, the downside of summer is that it’s easier to become dehydrated in the dry heat. Most of us know that discoloured urine is a sign of dehydration, but there are actually many other symptoms that people aren’t typically aware of. Here are some of the signs of dehydration to avoid, which can help you to continue enjoying the warm weather without any risk of danger.

1 – You’re not sweating

When exercising, sweating is a natural occurrence which proves that you’re having a good workout. However, if you’re working out strenuously and the body isn’t producing sweat, this could be an indicator that you are severely dehydrated. If this is happening and you are also experiencing other symptoms such as overheating and nausea, immediately terminate your workout and seek to rehydrate yourself.

2 – Dry eyes

Just as you might not be able to sweat, you may also be unable to produce tears or eye moisture. If you are trying to cry but tears will not form, this could be an indicator that you are dehydrated. Even in normal circumstances when you are not upset, dry eyes could be an indicator that you are dehydrated.

3 – Hunger after you’ve eaten

If you feel hungry despite filling yourself with a meal, this is an indicator that your body is crying out for water, not food. If you’re out in the sun and are having a picnic, be sure to drink some water along with your food to ensure you don’t get dehydrated.

4 – Headache

While there are many causes for a headache, one of the most common is dehydration. If you have a headache combined with other symptoms such as dark urine, this is a definite sign that you need to rehydrate ASAP.

5 – Fatigue

Sometimes we all get a little bit run down, particularly after a gruelling workout or hard day at the office. However, if you have fatigue and other symptoms, it might be because your body is conserving energy because it has no water to function properly. Always consume plenty of water if you’ve been out in the warm weather or if you’ve just finished a strenuous workout.

6 – Dry skin

Ever tried to rejuvenate your skin by rubbing various lotions on it, only to look dry and haggard a few hours later? Skin can become dry and lifeless if you are running low on water. This is particularly crucial for office workers who tend to drink a lot of coffee but not nearly enough water. Increase the amount of water you drink per day and you might be pleasantly surprised at how your skin reacts!

Dr Diane Howard of Dermal Institute writes:

“Prolonged exposure to the sun causes water to evaporate from skin, which is why sunburned skin requires more moisture than unexposed areas.”

7 – Blurred vision

This normally strikes when you’ve been exercising a long time and is an indicator that your body is running low on water. To combat this, make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts.