No matter if it’s extreme work or play, when you exert yourself you’re losing the important fluids and nutrients that keep your body operating like it should. Hydration is your body’s ability to manage this loss and return to its prime working condition. This is what you need to remember. Proper hydration means the fluid level in your body is exactly where it should be, in balance. When you’re dehydrated, your fluid level is off, out of balance. Hydrating in hot and cold conditions is critical to maintaining balance for peak performance.