Hydration is one of the most overlooked pieces of your health and performance—but also one of the easiest to fix. Most people know dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and sluggish workouts. But what many don’t realize is that overhydration can cause the exact same symptoms. When you chug too much plain water, especially in a short amount of time, you can actually dilute your sodium levels. That imbalance is enough to trigger headaches, brain fog, and in extreme cases, a dangerous condition called hyponatremia. So yes—both too little water and too much water can lead to the same miserable feeling.
Instead of thinking “drink more water,” a better mindset is “drink to thirst and balance hydration with electrolytes.” Your body is smart. When you’re dehydrated, your brain signals thirst and your urine gets darker—that’s your cue to drink. But if you force water when you’re not thirsty, or during long workouts or sweaty days, you can easily throw off your sodium levels. Sodium is crucial because it helps your body regulate fluid inside and outside your cells. Without enough of it, your hydration system can’t do its job—even if you’re drinking plenty of water.
This is where electrolytes come in. If you want to prevent dehydration headaches, muscle cramps, fatigue, and mid-workout crashes, pair your water with sodium. Most people eating whole-food diets (like many of us at Babylon CrossFit) actually consume too little sodium because they’re not getting it from processed foods. Add in workouts, sweat, and low-carb eating, and the demand shoots up. For most active people, aiming for 4–6 grams of sodium per day—through salting food and using electrolyte mixes—will dramatically improve energy, recovery, and hydration.
The golden rule? Drink electrolyte water to thirst. Not forced, not overdone—just listening to your body and giving it the water and sodium it needs. It’s a simple shift that can fix headaches, boost performance, and make you feel noticeably better in and out of the gym. Stay hydrated, and as always—if you need help dialing in your hydration or nutrition, your Babylon CrossFit coaches are here for you.
Pick up your LMNT in retail, there's a whole lot of flavors to choose from!
.jpg)
