How Hydration Plays into Behavior
I first heard of TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention) about 14 years ago. I remember going to my first conference where I learned about the three principles: connecting, empowering, and correcting. I left that conference feeling overwhelmed with information, but thankfully took away some very easy-to-implement strategies and tools. One of the easiest but most important empowering tools was hydration.
I learned how important it is to be intentional and make sure your child/ren hydrate at least every two hours. This keeps their brains and bodies in an optimal state to function. Hydration alone can decrease behavioral challenges and increase positive interactions between us and our children. In fact, when hydration levels drop by just 1-2%, children can experience noticeable changes in mood, memory, and learning capacity.
Not only is it imperative, it’s lacking! A Harvard study found that more than half of all children in the United States aren’t reaching the hydration levels they should.
When children don’t drink enough water, they commonly experience:
- Increased anxiety and nervousness
- Difficulty concentrating in school
- Unexplained mood swings
- Decreased energy levels
- Greater sensitivity to stress
Keeping children hydrated and safe in the heat is essential, always, but especially during the summer months.
- Encourage kids to drink water regularly—before they feel thirsty—especially during outdoor play or physical activity.
- Offer water-rich snacks like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges to help boost hydration.
- Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.
- Let each child pick out their own water bottle, and be sure you take it with you on outings.
Checkout Redfin’s blog below: America’s Kids Belong was recently featured in it!
“Summer Dangers: How to Keep Your Home and Family Safe This Season”
Here’s to happy, healthy, hydrated summers!
