You know you need to drink more water but you just can't seem to make it work? With so many benefits, avoiding water just isn't an option when it comes to overall health. These easy tips are going to teach you how to drink more water even when you hate it!
Being well hydrated plays a role in your digestion, hunger, mental clarity, mood, and skin... and that's just to name a few! the benefits of water are endless given that every cell in our body needs it to thrive.
And though taking in fluids in general is important, when it comes to our health or weight loss, we truly just need more basic water. If you truly hate water and can't seem to get it in, these hacks will help.
How Much Water Should I Drink Each Day?
I tell clients to consume roughly 2-2.5L of water per day (or .66 gallons) in addition to what they take in with food (here's how to convert oz to gallons FYI).
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 (a main reason why my daughters don't drink juice boxes).
Subtle signs like poor skin, fatigue, irregular bowels, and headaches all signify a lack of hydration. However, most people just accept them as part of their day and move on. Learning to drink more water can be a turning point once you get into it.
How To Drink More Water When You Hate It
Use the tips below to help you drink more water throughout the day and reap the benefits of better skin, energy, digestion, and clarity.
If you can, pick 2-3 of the systems below and implement them ASAP. It takes a solid few weeks to change a habit or create a new one, so give it time and really muster through.
Keep water nearby always
This sounds too practical to be advice.
If you leave your house- bring a water bottle.
If you're watching TV- have a glass on the table.
If you're working, have a bottle on your desk.
Just making it accessible makes you more likely to sip on it. I actually love these big water bottles so that I don't have to keep filling them. I fill it for the morning and then it goes with me EVERYWHERE.
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.
FYI: these are the best eco-friendly water bottles for kids! We have a couple of them but our favorite is the Thermos Funtainer Range.
For myself personally, I have a BKR water bottle. I have the 1 liter one which is a pain to carry around but it also makes it so I know how much to drink each and every day.
Flavor it
Adding in fruits, lemons, herbs anything you actually like will entice you to drink more. Ideally, try to stay away from artificial flavors as they come with their own set of issues. However, if you're just starting out and that's what makes you get your 2 liters in, do it.
My favorites are adding in strawberries or watermelon. It's fresh and has a bit of flavor which makes it refreshing. Learn more about how to naturally flavor water.
This does make it so you need to plan ahead a bit. However, if it means you'll hit your water goals than it's worth it!
Make it part of your 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. This is called habit-pairing and it works like a charm. Worst case scenario- set an alarm.
Exercise
Yes, another benefit of workouts- you'll be thirsty!
And in an ideal world, it'll be water that you grab to rehydrate. The truth is, normally once you notice your thirst you're already a bit dehydrated. It's only natural to have water with you during a sweat session so start moving!
Set a water goal
Just like any other healthy habit, setting a specific goal helps you to remain accountable.
Instead of saying "I need to drink more water" make it specific with amounts and start off small while you scale up. A good start is "I need to drink four full water bottles each day".
Once you have a goal, outline our actionable steps. Set an alarm on your phone 8 times per day to drink half a bottle.
Prep your water the night before
If you have a specific water goal, why not prep your water for the day before just like you make easy meal prep hacks a priority.
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.
Use Chilled Loose Leaf Tea
If you really hate water, try weaning down from flavored drinks with herbal, 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 needs. Then as you master the habit, swap out one glass of tea for regular water.
Track it
When learning to drink more water- track your intake!
An app, a pencil, and paper, or marks on the edge of the bottle (like in this super colorful bottle). Know how much water you're currently drinking so you know how much more you need in the day.
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!
Try coconut water
An amazing way to get more natural electrolytes and unbelievably hydrating, coconut water is a great choice for people who hate water.
Just make sure to grab a brand that doesn't add in any sugar to their cartons or you're defeating the purpose of drinking more water.
Don't forget to pin these tips to drink more water each day!
More Easy Wellness Tips
- Strength training for beginners
- How to work out at home
- Benefits of resistance training
- Upper and lower split
- The best way to eliminate dairy
- How to eat more protein
Wrap Up
There are lots of ways to learn to drink more water. 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. Foods like watermelon and cucumbers are also naturally higher in water and great to snack on.
Water is vital for our systems to function and even more important for them to function optimally.
While there are tricks and tips you can use, at the end of the day you've just got to suck it up and drink more water.
Priyadarshini Rajendran says
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.
fitasamamabear says
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!
Tanvi Rastogi says
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
fitasamamabear says
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!
Larissa says
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.
fitasamamabear says
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!
Luci says
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.
fitasamamabear says
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??
Jos says
Such great tips! It can be difficult to get enough water each day, but these will definitely help!
fitasamamabear says
It's not easy to change habits but this one is worth it 🙂
Bree says
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!!
fitasamamabear says
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
Ken Hanaya says
Those are really good tips. I think i'll start adding fruits since I know I don't get enough intake. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear says
Glad the tips could help! The fruits are a good way to start 🙂
Sella | themomslifecycle says
That's the great post, i always missed to drink more the water and i need this for reminder:)
fitasamamabear says
It's a tricky habit to get into- hopefully one of the tips clicks for you!
Amber Marie says
These are great tips! I just started tracking muster recently!
fitasamamabear says
Amazing! How's it going for you so far?
Gayathri says
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
fitasamamabear says
That's how I go about it too. I have 2 1L bottles and anything on top of that is extra 🙂
justine says
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!
fitasamamabear says
RIGHT!? Nursing made me so unbelievably dehydrated. i guzzled water. Oh the hair tie system is neat- nice thinking!
Carina says
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!
fitasamamabear says
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!
Dominee says
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!
fitasamamabear says
Mm I love flavored ice cubes! Mainly because they look so cute haha (clearly I'ma dork). Love the water bottle quote btw!
Envelle says
Great tips! For me, it helps to have a large bottle of water in the kitchen so I can remind myself. Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear says
That's a good one too! Wherever you're most likely to see it so you can grab it!
Jen | My Healthy Homemade Life says
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.
fitasamamabear says
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..