By Javier Ibanez

When it comes to hydration, many people don’t see how important and how beneficial it is. As many people have heard, the amount of water that is needed to be consumed by an individual is an average of 6-8 cups per day. This is a reasonable amount for people to aim for, but the amount of water needed changes from person to person. Yes, it is good to make sure to always have water around for when you are thirsty, but don’t rely on this too much because what many people don’t know is that thirst is not always the best indicator of hydration. Just because you aren’t thirsty doesn’t mean that your body isn’t in need of fluids.

When staying hydrated, water should always be your go-to choice of beverage. If water is too plain for you then a good solution for that would be to add some fruit, such as strawberries, or even a slice of lemon or lime. Sports drinks are also a good choice when taking part in physical activity because they are full of carbohydrates and electrolytes. Be aware of which sports drinks you reach for because some tend to be high in sugar and sodium.

Some key indications that let someone know if they are dehydrated include:

• Dry mouth
• Darker urine color than usual
• Sleepiness or fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

So if you ever experience any of these symptoms, just make sure to drink a big cup of water and it may just have been because you were dehydrated.

Buddy Broncho

Buddy Broncho made his first appearance in UCO's own newspaper The Vista. It was the October 3, 1932, issue where a Broncho appears wearing a UCO football uniform. He has appeared numerous times throughout the years from local Edmond papers in the 60's to state-wide papers in the 80's. The commissioning of the first ever live mascot appears in UCO's 1979 Bronze Book where Buddy Broncho made his first public appearance at Homecoming. Since that time, Buddy has been a fixture at UCO events and in the hearts of UCO students.