How To Keep Cool and Healthy During Summer

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Summer is definitely the season of fun for many, but it's also the season for ailments and illnesses, including asthma attacks, otitis externa or swimmer's ear, food poisoning, hyperthermia, Coxsackie virus, Lyme disease and allergies from sap of plants, such as poison ivy, Live Science reports.

In order to address the pains that come with living through the humid summer season, it is important to understand the body's needs. The Philadelphia Tribune reports that heat stress can cause troubled sleeping and fatigue. Immediately, it can also cause dehydration, which is why it's important to chug down those liquids, especially good old plain water.

The general rule of thumb is to consume eight glasses of water daily, but a better measure is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. Up to 75% of the human body is made up of water, and water aids in digestion, regulation of body temperature, blood circulation  and waste management. The Philadelphia Tribune further reports: "Every process in our body occurs in a water medium."

One quick trick to see if you're hydrated enough every day is to observe the color of your urine, as darker urine implies dehydration and clear urine means you're pretty much hydrated.

If water bores your tastebuds or is just plainly a struggle for those who are used to flavored drinks, try any of these tips from Buzzfeed to increase your daily water intake:

Use a water bottle that will remind you how much you've drank already. Purchase one that has measurements, or put markers on any water container readily available at home.

If you're on your phone a lot, install an app that can help you track your water intake, such as Waterlogged and Daily Water.

Snack on water-based fruits such as melons, cucumbers, celery, grapefruit, cantaloupe and many more. It's like eating flavored water, but healthier!

Bored with the same tasteless H2O? Infuse your water with sliced fruits of your choice. From berries to oranges—you're sure to find a combination that will excite you. Use a straw and get more with every sip!

Spice up your life! Adding chili flakes or fresh peppers on your meals will automatically make you want to cool off with a tall glass of water.

Keep in mind that dehydration can lead to low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and breathing, fever and chronic constipation. To keep hydrated throughout the day, reach for that glass of water and don't forget to increase intake before, during and after any strenuous activities, or exercise in or out of the summer sun.