Certified Rave Dad
Going to raves is a whole workout, you need to be prepared to sweat it out for hours dancing in hot crowds and walking around the venue. Staying hydrated is essential to make it start to finish while minimizing post-rave misery. This guide was created with the hope of helping you get and stay hydrated, but the information in this guide was not reviewed by any sort of medical professional, just personal experience. Make sure to always follow the guidance of medical professionals when necessary and any supplementation, follow the product's instructions carefully.
Electrolytes can be your best friend at a rave, but why? Your body relies on electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium to help regulate hydration levels, maintain muscle function, and prevent cramping and fatigue. When you’re at a rave, your body naturally expels more electrolytes through sweat to keep your cool, making replenishing them essential. Drinking alcohol can also increase electrolyte loss. If you lose too many electrolytes, you may experience symptoms like dizziness, cramps, and fatigue, and in severe cases, you may experience worse side effects. Electrolytes work by helping your body absorb and retain water, delivering it to your cells effectively.
Before you leave to head to a festival, it is a good idea to add electrolytes to your pregame. You don’t need much, but you do want to prepare your body for the day. Drinking drinks like Gatorade can help your body be at optimal hydration. Alternatively, you can opt for water and pair it with a hearty meal, as essential nutrients and electrolytes come from food. Another thing to keep in mind before you go, energy drinks and alcohol are diuretics, meaning they cause your body to lose electrolytes faster. Before you head in, you want your body to feel its best (even if you might be a little buzzed after the pregame).
While at the Festival, make sure you bring your water bottle or hydration pack. You want to do your best to make sure you always have water on you. If you ever start to experience any symptoms of dehydration, make sure to take a break, sit down, drink water, and avoid overexerting yourself. Remember, a rave is a marathon, not a sprint.
It’s also not a bad idea to bring electrolyte powder or tabs with you. You can either keep them on hand to add to a water bottle halfway through the event or add them directly to your hydration pack to slowly drink throughout the event. You don’t need to go crazy on how you consume, many people go to raves without consuming any extra electrolytes and feel fine. However, having electrolytes can help you feel more energized, mitigate hangovers, and improve how you feel during and after the event.
When you leave, your body is going to be completely drained. When you get back to where you’re staying, drink water and evaluate how your body is feeling. Even if you were drinking water the whole time, your body goes through it quite quickly at a rave, so make sure to replenish your body to help you get a good night’s rest and wake up ready for the next day.
When you’re in camp, there is so much to do! This may cause you to be less aware of how much (or rather how little) water you are drinking. Make sure to always have water on you or head back to your campsite regularly to drink water. Add electrolytes to your drink or eat hydrating, nutrient-rich food to keep your energy up and stay hydrated throughout the day.
If you aren’t drinking any electrolytes, there are signs that your body needs to get something besides just water:
If you start to feel any of these symptoms to seek medical attention right away!
Balancing water with electrolytes is key if you are drinking a lot of water without consuming electrolytes, leading to overhydration. This is because your body dilutes the electrolytes you have and can lead to feelings of dehydration as your cells can no longer hold enough water.
Yes! While your body does need electrolytes to function and retain water, consuming too much can cause your body to require more water, leading to dehydration-like symptoms. Electrolytes are incredibly beneficial, but moderation is key. Listen to your body, consume tiny amounts as needed, and avoid overloading.