Staying Hydrated

Yesterday my students and I were waiting for the art teacher, so I decided to seize the opportunity to have a discussion about the importance of staying hydrated. At the beginning of every year, I ask families to send water bottles with their children every day. We also have a water filter in our classroom, so they can fill up their bottles when they run out.

Inevitably, the bottles start leaking or they get lost, and pretty soon children are asking to go to the water fountains because they are thirsty. In our discussion yesterday, I tried to reiterate the idea that if you only drink when you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. And drinking a few sips from the water fountain a couple times a day is, unfortunately, not sufficient.

Honestly, I battle with drinking enough water every day, too. I try to remember to carry around a 40-ounce water bottle everywhere I go. Before I leave the house, I stand at the door and say, “Wallet, keys, cell phone, water bottle, CHECK!”

Even when I have my bottle with me, it can be hard to force myself to drink it enough. The more I drink, the more I have to go to the restroom (which is no easy feat when you are a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade teacher!).

I’ve started trying to drink one entire bottle in the 2 hours I’m at home before leaving for work. Then I try to drink one more throughout the day and some more when I’m home at night. Sometimes I come home with my bottle nearly half full. When that happens, I can literally feel the effect on my body.

It’s definitely a work in progress!