Playing paintball is a pretty vigorous workout, and there are important steps you should take in order to make sure that you stay hydrated and safe throughout the game. Otherwise you might find yourself dehydrated which can result in getting dizzy, experiencing pain, passing out and even needing to be treated at the hospital. If avoiding all of these problems sounds appealing to you then follow these simple tips before your paintball game.
1. Drink Plenty of Water
This is an obvious action to take before heading to the paintball field, but it should be pointed out that fluids like Gatorade or Mineral Water should be avoided if possible. The best hydrator for vigorous sports and exercise is water. If you want something refreshing to enjoy after your game, consider drinking coconut water. It has more electrolytes than Gatorade and other sports drinks do, and it offers real nutrients your body needs.
Stay Away from Salty Foods
Salt will dehydrate your body and that's the last thing you want to do before a long game of paintball. In order to make sure all the water you've been drinking is effective, it's important to avoid salty foods for at least six hours before your game. This means avoiding potato chips, sunflower seeds, popcorn, pretzels and other foods that have a high amount of salt including soups and even salad dressings.
2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contain a high amount of water in them naturally, which means they'll help to hydrate you while keeping you feeling full and satisfied before your game of paintball, without making you feel bogged down like a heavy meal normally would. Salads topped with almonds or walnuts, fruit kabobs, and stir fry or broiled veggies are all great pre paintball meals.
3. Rest a Little
Don't get too active before you set off to workout, this will just start to deplete your hydration before you even begin. Take the day easy if your game is in the afternoon, watch a movie or play a game of cards with a friend or two. If you plan to play paintball in the morning, make sure you get to bed early enough to get at least eight hours of deep sleep. You should lay off the alcohol too, as it's known to dehydrate your body like salt does.
4. Try Something New
Try new patterns in the way you prepare for a paintball game in order to find out what works best for you and your schedule. For example, you might find that stopping your water intake at least an hour before hand keeps you feeling stronger than if you drink water up until game time. Or you may figure out that a quick meal right before the game works better for you than skimping out on food for the day. Everyone is a little different when it comes to the small details so take your time, pay attention and fine tune your game by making sure you are hydrated.
Doug Emery is an active outdoors person. His children and grandchildren play and enjoy the sport of paintball as much as he does.
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