October 01, 2024 4 min read
While most everyone is aware of the importance of drinking water, it does not mean everyone is drinking enough water daily. For some, clean drinking water is not easily accessible throughout the day. For others, the challenge is remembering to drink water. Whatever the case may be, here are a few tips to help up your daily water intake.
To ensure you are drinking enough water, first you need to know how much water you should be drinking a day. When in doubt, drinking water whenever you are thirsty, exercising, or sweating will likely keep you properly hydrated. For people that need a quantitative goal, the rule to follow is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water. For example, someone weighing 150 pounds should aim to drink 75 ounces (a little over 9 cups) of water each day.
Once you have calculated your goal, create a routine to reach it. Some people set hourly reminders to drink a cup of water, while others find drinking water at the same time each day helps. For example, drink a cup of water before your morning cup of coffee, or drink a cup of water before and after each meal. By incorporating drinking water into your routine, you are much more likely to stay hydrated.
For those that do not have access to water throughout the day, carrying a refillable water bottle can help. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one to meet your needs. Carrying a refillable water bottle is a physical reminder that you have water on-hand, and many people report their hydration has increased by bringing with them their own bottle.
While many office buildings, parks, and other public places provide purified water to refill these bottles, some lifestyles may not always offer access to clean water. In these cases, a filtering water bottle can help. With a filtering water bottle, like those offered at Seychelle, you do not need to be close to clean water to stay hydrated.
For some people, not drinking enough water is not a matter of forgetfulness, but a matter of preference. Some people do not like the taste of water. If drinking water from the tap, try a water filter to enhance the taste of the water. Some people report alkaline water as having a fresher, sweeter taste, so using an alkaline water pitcher may make drinking water more appealing.
Other people simply find water too bland. In this case, try infusing your water with fruits or herbs. Some people add lemon or cucumber to give their water a refreshing flavor. Choose a fruit you like to naturally make drinking water more enjoyable, or try an artificial flavoring. Be sure to check the nutrition facts on artificial flavors, as these may contain artificial sweeteners, sugars, or other contents that are not good for your health.
Another way to drink more water is to cut down on other drinks. This does not mean you need to give up on other drinks altogether, but alternating your drinks can boost your water intake. You can think of it as a “reward system.” First, drink a glass of water, and then you can have a cup of coffee. Or, drink a glass of water on your way to a restaurant, so that you can have a soda with your meal. By alternating water with your other typical drinks, you are ensuring your body is getting more water than it would on the day-to-day, while still enjoying the drinks you would normally consume.
Drinking water is the obvious way to ensure your body is properly hydrated, but it is not the only way. About one-third of your body’s water comes through food. Eating foods rich in water can also hydrate your body. These foods include lettuce, watermelon, cucumbers, celery, and broth.
It is important to note that eating these foods can up your water intake, but it should not replace drinking water. Eating water-rich foods helps increase your body’s water, but you will probably not be able to eat enough leafy greens in a day to equate the amount of water your body needs. Pairing water-rich foods with multiple cups of water a day will keep you well hydrated, all the while while adding more nutritious foods to your diet!
Despite staying hydrated being necessary for survival, getting into the habit of drinking enough water is not always easy. However, by taking small steps, drinking water can become a part of your daily routine. By setting daily goals, carrying around a refillable water bottle, and creating small incentives to drink more water, soon you may find yourself craving water on the daily. Drinking enough water is not only good for your body, but it can refresh your mind, as well.
What are creative ways to get enough water?
Infusing fruit in water is a creative way to drink more water, while enhancing its natural flavor to make it more enjoyable.
How much water should I drink in a day?
It is suggested to drink half of your body weight, in ounces, each day. Others suggest following a qualitative approach and drinking water whenever you feel thirsty.
How to ensure you drink enough water?
Establishing small habits can help you drink enough water. For example, set a daily goal, carry around a reusable water bottle, and alternate water with your other drinks throughout the day to help remind yourself to keep drinking water.