Hydration Tips for Outdoor Workers: Beat the Summer Heat

Michael Shults
Jul 30
3 min read

Updated: Oct 7

When the summer heat cranks up and you're out there grinding in the sun—whether you're climbing trees, dragging brush, or just busting it to finish a job—your body is losing more than just sweat. It’s losing electrolytes, minerals, and energy fast. At Shults Tree Service, we know firsthand what it’s like to work in brutal Kentucky heat. We've tested all kinds of hydration methods, and most of what’s out there is overpriced garbage full of dyes and sugar. So here’s what actually works—real, healthy, do-it-yourself hydration mixes—including our own go-to blend.

Why Hydration Isn’t Just About Water

When you're sweating buckets, drinking plain water alone won't cut it. Without salt (sodium), potassium, and magnesium, you’re just diluting your system. That leads to muscle cramps, dizziness, brain fog, and in extreme cases—heat exhaustion or worse. You need electrolytes, glucose (a little sugar), and fluids. But you don’t need lab-made neon drinks to get them.

Best DIY Hydration Mixes for Outdoor Workers

🧂 1. Shults Tree Service’s Mix – Salt, Citrus, and Honey

This is the exact mix we use on job sites when it’s 95°F and climbing. It works, it’s cheap, and it keeps us going.

Ingredients (for 32 oz bottle):

¼ tsp Redmond Real Salt or pink Himalayan salt
Juice of 1 lemon or lime
1 tsp raw honey (or a splash of blackstrap molasses for potassium)
Optional: pinch of cream of tartar (extra potassium)
Filtered water to fill

Why it works: The salt replaces what you sweat out. The citrus helps your body absorb it. Honey gives you energy without the crash.

🍌 2. Banana Peel Reboil Mix

Ingredients:

1 banana peel (organic, scrubbed)
Boil in 2 cups water for 10 minutes
Add a pinch of salt and a dash of maple syrup
Strain, chill, and drink

Why it works: Banana peels are loaded with potassium and magnesium—two critical minerals you sweat out fast.

🥥 3. Coconut-Lite Electro Boost

Ingredients:

2 cups water
¼ cup canned coconut water or 1 tbsp coconut water powder
¼ tsp sea salt
Juice of ½ orange

Why it works: Great potassium-sodium balance and a touch of carbs to fuel your muscles.

🍎 4. Apple Cider Vinegar Rehydrator

Ingredients:

1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”)
1 tbsp honey
¼ tsp sea salt
Juice of ½ lemon
16 oz cold water

Why it works: ACV helps with blood sugar control and digestion, while salt and honey keep your hydration levels balanced.

🌿 5. Citrus Mint Cooler

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
¼ tsp salt
Crushed mint leaves
2 cups water

Why it works: Mint cools you down naturally and the citrus flavor makes it easy to drink all day.

Heat Safety Tips from the Field

At Shults Tree Service, we work smart because we want to go home strong. These tips have saved our necks:

Start drinking early – Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Thirst = already behind.
Use a big insulated jug – Keep it cold, keep it full.
Skip energy drinks – Caffeine and sugar spike then crash you. Bad combo in the heat.
Watch your pee – Pale yellow = good. Dark = drink more. Clear = maybe too much water, not enough salt.
Eat real food – Add potassium-rich snacks like oranges, cucumbers, or boiled eggs.

The Importance of Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential for maintaining hydration and overall health, especially during hot weather. They help regulate nerve function and muscle contractions. When you sweat, you lose these vital minerals, which can lead to fatigue and decreased performance. Incorporating homemade hydration mixes can help replenish these lost electrolytes effectively.

Final Word

You don’t need to spend $3.99 on a sports drink. Your kitchen already has what your body needs. These mixes are tested and proven by real climbers, haulers, and tree workers—not lab rats or ad agencies. When you’re sweating in triple-digit heat, the right hydration mix can be the difference between finishing the job or getting carried off it.

– Michael Shults

ISA Arborist | Shults Tree Service