Last updated on December 7th, 2017
10 Tips To Drink More Water
Water is, quite literally, vital to your life. I think it's obvious by now that we need water to survive and replenish our bodies but along with that water also improves energy, helps regenerate our skin and maintains regularity. Yet so many people live in a state of chronic dehydration.
Drinking water daily has become a struggle for some or not even on the radar for others. In truth, you should be consuming roughly 2.5L of water per day in addition to what you take in with food. Between sugary soft drinks, crazy coffees and lack of quality food, many people aren't even close. Most people are deceived into thinking they're hydrated when they're not.
Sugary drinks, sodas, fruit juices are such poor quality when it comes to a fluid your body really and truly lives off of.
People ignore the signs and symptoms of dehydration (poor skin, fatigue, irregular bowels, headaches etc) because they're simply used to them. It's become just another way of life. And yet, it's such an easy fix.
We all know we should drink more water and below are few reasons why:
- Water improves the elasticity and clarity of your skin
- Water improves your energy
- Water keeps you headache free
- Water keeps your system functioning and your bowels moving
- Water boosts the immune system
- Water prevents cramps
- Water helps your kidneys function
Water is vital. But knowing isn't doing and thus people are still taking in far less liquid than they should. Instead I hear complaint of “but I don't LIKE water” or “I forgot”.
To counter these lovely excuses, below are 10 Tips To Upping Your Water Intake
Keep water nearby always.
This sounds too practical to be advice but seriously. If you leave your house- bring a water bottle. If you're watching TV- have a glass on the table. Just making it handy makes you sip on it more.
Buy a fancy water bottle
For some reason, having a bright, colorful, nice bottle on the side of the desk makes people more prone to drinking water at work. Don't be boring- invest in a bright, durable bottle.
Flavor it
Adding in fruits, lemons, herbs anything you actually like will entice you to drink more. My favorites are adding in strawberries or watermelon. It's fresh and has a bit of flavor which makes it refreshing.
Make it routine
When I was first starting to up my water intake I made it a rule that I had to have a full glass prior to every meal. Since I would never forget food I always remembered my water. While it sucked having to gag the water down, it did the trick. Worst case scenario- set an alarm.
Exercise
Yes, another benefit of exercise- you'll be thirsty! And in an ideal world it'll be water that you grab to re-hydrate.
Set a water goal
Just like any other habit you might want to alter, setting a specific goal helps you to remain accountable. Instead of saying “I need to drink more water” make it specific with amounts. A good start is “I need to drink four full water bottles each day”
Prep your water
If you have a specific water goal, why not prep your water for the day before. I have two liter big jugs I drink out of so before I go to bed each night I fill them both. This way in the morning, they're ready and waiting. I just need to grab one and then the other and I know exactly how much I've taken in.
Track it
An app, a pencil and paper or marks on the edge of the bottle. Know how much water you're currently drinking so you know how much more you need in the day.
Use Chilled Loose Leaf Tea
The important part of upping your water intake is hydrating. Make up a big batch of tea, chill it and set to work. It keeps the flavor fresh and different while still giving your body the hydration it need.
Use Flavored Ice Cubes
Some people hate water and especially warm water. Juice some lemons, freeze them as ice cubes and add that to your bottle of water. Not only will you have a refreshing flavor but it will be chilled too!
There's lots of ways to boost your fluid intake you just need to get creative and work at it. Making sure that a lot of your intake comes from food is key also. Consuming nutrient dense foods (like vegetables) versus calorie dense foods (like processed foods) is an easy way to keep you hydrated.
Don't forget to pin these water tips!
Water is vital for our systems to function and even more important for them to function optimally. While there's tricks and tips you can use, at the end of the day you've just got to suck it up and drink some water.
What's your best tip for staying hydrated?
Looking for more health boosting tips? Check out this guest interview with Joy from Joyous Health or 3 Changes To Focus On When Chasing Health
Related Posts:
I loved your tips. I find that usually I’m pretty good about drinking enough water but when my routine is a bit off (traveling, etc.,) I really need to make the conscious effort to plan ahead. My favorite drink this summer has been infused water. I love clipping herbs from my garden like peppermint, apple mint, lemon balm and tusi.
Way to go on already having the basics down! I was obsessed with infused water this year too. We grew cucumber and mint and it makes the perfect refreshing combo! Lemon balm would also be amazing..
Great tips! For me, it helps to have a large bottle of water in the kitchen so I can remind myself. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a good one too! Wherever you’re most likely to see it so you can grab it!
I love the flavored ice-cube idea! I just got a new “Good vibes only” water bottle, which I love, so I’ll have to try this out!
Mm I love flavored ice cubes! Mainly because they look so cute haha (clearly I’ma dork). Love the water bottle quote btw!
This was perfect timing to read this today because I’ve been realizing how little water I drink!!! I just drink a lot of black coffee and hardly any water- it’s time for that to change!
Glad it was well timed! It’s tricky to get into the habit of it but once you do it’s easy! Hopefully some of the tips help you out!
i’m horrible about drinking water but now that i’m nursing, my thirst is UNREAL.
i have a system now though — I have three hair ties on my left hand and when I’m done drinking my L hand I move over the hair tie to my right!
RIGHT!? Nursing made me so unbelievably dehydrated. i guzzled water. Oh the hair tie system is neat- nice thinking!
I have two bottles of water filled as soon as I get up in the morning, before I start the day. And I make it a point to empty it before I end the day. I am glad you have mentioned that as well.
Gayathri @ Musings Over Nothing
That’s how I go about it too. I have 2 1L bottles and anything on top of that is extra 🙂
These are great tips! I just started tracking muster recently!
Amazing! How’s it going for you so far?
That’s the great post, i always missed to drink more the water and i need this for reminder:)
It’s a tricky habit to get into- hopefully one of the tips clicks for you!
Those are really good tips. I think i’ll start adding fruits since I know I don’t get enough intake. Thanks for sharing.
Glad the tips could help! The fruits are a good way to start 🙂
These are such great tips! I love water, and haven’t ever had a problem drinking it, but my husband never seems to have enough water – I’ll have to try these tricks on him!!
I love water now but initially I despised it- I had to gag it down! It’s definitely a habit shift you have to work for but oh so worth it. Hopefully a couple of the tips work for your hubby! Mine is the same way though- I can get about 1 water bottle into him a day.. it’s a work in progress lol
Such great tips! It can be difficult to get enough water each day, but these will definitely help!
It’s not easy to change habits but this one is worth it 🙂
I cut out drinking soft drinks at the beginning of the year and started to drink nothing but water and my one coffee. It was a little hard in the beginning but got easier as the weeks went on.
Ah Luci that`s amazing! really and truly congrats that`s a huge habit to break and re-do. How are you feeling energy wise??
These are great tips! I’m working on upping my water intake throughout the day, so I’ll keep these in mind. I especially like the tip of drinking a glass of water before your meal. I usually try to finish a water bottle an hour, and that helps me keep drinking throughout the day. I’ve yet to do that consistently though.
It’s super hard habit to rock consistently! Drinking before a meal helped me get started initially as it made me remember. A bottle an hour is amazing though too! Or, fill two really large bottles for the day and know that you just have to get through those by the end of the day- whatever works!
I love your tips. Thankfully I have got a handle on my water in take with practice. It is astonishing how many of us do not realize the importance of water intake.
❥ tanvii.com
Yes! It’s one of those “it keeps you alive how can you not drink it” things to me haha Glad you’re already ahead of the game!
Thankfully I always have plenty of water without struggling about it. The listed benefits are so true..that once when I hiked continuously for about 6 hours without water, I had a terrible head ache. Thanks for this great article about the importance of having water.
Once you’re used to drinking an adequate amount of water you realize how much it sucks when you don’t! I get crazy headaches and just feel sluggish if I’m running low- glad you enjoyed the post!
Drinking plenty of water on an everyday basis has always been tough for me, I’m a huge caffeine addict. But flavored waters do help!
I was the same so you’re not alone! It’s a really hard habit change. Keeping it fresh with new flavors at least helps it not be boring 🙂 keep at it!
Great tips! Water is very important for a mama to keep up with her busy life. I always take a water bottle with me & sometimes I chill it overnight in fridge.
YES! You go through so much energy as a mom you need water to just survive the day! I like super cold water first thing in the morning, for some reason it’s a necessity 😛
Water helps body so much. I usually get up very early and make sure that I have 4 glasses of water in the morning to cleanse up my system. And then I have set water goals as you said. Great tips!
That’s awesome that you have a system already- I love it! I GUZZLE water in the morning. It makes me feel so much better and more energized
Really helpful tips!! Water is vital for the body, it has numerous benefits. I drink 2-3 glass of water in the morning when I wake up and keep a bottle of water on my desk during work and make sure that I don’t forget to drink it. Thanks for sharing other tips as well.
Keeping a bottle nearby is so so key to remembering! Love that you’ve got your routine down pat 😀
Great post! I am SO bad about drinking water, and I cannot seem to keep up with remembering to drink it. I will take all of the tips I can get, I need to pick up a cute bottle, that is definitely something that may get me into drinking more water. For someone who is so obsessed with skincare, you would think I would drink a ton!
Ashlee
http://www.ashleestuart.com
It’s a tricky habit t get it to, you definitely have to work for it. But it CAN be done- and cute bottles definitely help 😉
Great tips! I’m all about flavoring my water, when I drink water. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t drink near enough water each day. I know that, on the rare occasions that I do exercise, I have absolutely no problem drinking plain water! Thanks for the tips!
If flavoring works- rock it! I’m a water fiend now but I wasn’t always so whatever works roll with it 🙂