14 Easy Ways to Drink More Water Every Day

You probably know that water contributes to wellness in important ways, which is why it’s so important to keep an eye on your water intake. However, staying hydrated is sometimes easier said than done — especially if your days are packed with work, childcare and other big responsibilities.

The good news is that there are some simple ways to bump up your water intake, including:

• Carrying a reusable water bottle
• Replacing sugary drinks
• Making healthy DIY flavoring
• Drinking with meals
• Setting simple goals

Ready to increase your water consumption? Get started with these fun and simple tips.

14 Ways to Drink More Water

Sometimes, all you need is one good idea to start working water into your busy schedule. Try these simple hydration hacks:

#1: Choose Reusable Water Bottles You Love

A reusable water bottle made of glass or stainless steel is a great way to bring water with you on the go. Make sure you choose a fun design — one that will help you remember to keep your bottle close at all times.

#2: Replace Sugary Drinks

Replace one sugary drink with plain water per day. That way, you can work toward your hydration goal without having to say goodbye to your favorite beverages all at once.

#3: Drink Throughout the Day

Remind yourself to drink throughout the day. Try keeping your reusable water bottle within reach while you work, clean the house or play with pets or kids.

#4: Put Water in the Fridge

Did you know that it’s easier for your body to absorb cool water than room-temperature water? Put your reusable water bottle or a pitcher in the fridge so you always have a nice cold drink to look forward to.

#5: Make Your Own Healthy Flavoring

If you’re a fan of sugary drinks but don’t want all the extra calories, there’s good news: You can make your own healthy flavoring. There are plenty of fruit water infusion recipes, including watermelon, mint, pineapple and even jalapeño, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

#6: Set Drinking Water Alarms

You probably have your phone or computer with you all the time, which means they’re the perfect tools to help you increase your water intake. Just set alarms throughout the day to remind yourself to drink water — and for better results, place your phone across the room so you have to get up to turn off the alarm (and grab a drink while you’re at it).

#7: Create a Routine

Sometimes, it’s easier to remember a task once you’ve associated it with an everyday routine. Try drinking water every time you answer an email or phone call, let the dog outside or check social media.

#8: Drink With Meals

Water helps break down your food and can aid digestion, so it’s smart to grab your reusable water bottle every time you sit down to eat.

#9: Start a Hydration Challenge

Want to make proper hydration more fun? Try making it into a challenge with your family, friends or coworkers. Choose a period of time — like one day or week — where everyone keeps track of their water intake. Once the time is up, the person who drank the most water could get a prize like a new reusable water bottle.

#10: Drink When You Exercise

Remember your body loses fluid through sweat, so it’s important to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise. That’s especially true if you’re outside in hot or humid weather. Keep in mind that regular water is often a better choice than sports drinks, vitamin water or anything with added sugar.

#11: Drink Before You Get Thirsty

Because some people might not get thirsty until they’re already dehydrated, you shouldn’t wait until you’re feeling parched. Instead, find other ways to remind yourself to keep drinking water.

#12: Know Your Dehydration Risks

Different people have different hydration needs, but they also have different dehydration risks. For example, your body might need extra water to process certain medications, so keep track of your needs and contact your doctor with any questions.

#13: Set Simple Goals

Create simple goals for yourself — like drinking a set amount before your lunch break or refilling your reusable water bottle a certain number of times. This will help you get into the habit of hydration without stressing out about your progress.

#14: Find What Works

Don’t worry if some of these hydration hacks just don’t work for you. It’s important to find ideas that click with your habits and preferences; that way, you’ll actually keep up with your new goals or solutions instead of getting bored after a few weeks.

Learn More About Proper Hydration

Good information is the foundation for even better habits. Brush up on these important facts about hydration:

Why is Fluid Intake Important?

Water is so vital that it’s considered one of six essential nutrients, along with fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. Here are just a few of the most crucial things water helps your body do:

• Regulate temperature
• Lubricate joints
• Boost immune strength
• Digest food
• Remove waste products from the kidneys
• Improve sleep
• Manage mood

What Should You Know About Dehydration?

If you lose more fluid than you take in, the result is dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration can include thirst, fatigue, dizziness and confusion, depending on the severity of your condition; even as little as 2% fluid loss can impact brain function.

Anyone can get dehydrated, especially if you’ve been sick for a while or are exercising in hot weather, but the risk is higher in young children and older adults.

How Much Water Do You Need?

Different people have different daily water intake requirements. For example, you need to drink more when exercising or working outside, because activities like these will make you sweat and lose more fluid.

However, if you’re wondering how much water to drink in a day, there’s a simple guideline to follow: about 11.5 cups (91 ounces) for women and 15.5 cups (125 ounces) for men.

Start Your Hydration Journey Today

It’s not always easy to stay hydrated. However, when you know what your body needs, you can start making plans to get more water during the day — and it all starts with improving your tap water quality. From there, you can choose filtration solutions, reusable water bottles and other hydration hacks to help you make drinking water a healthy habit.

Are you ready to drink more water? Take the first step by scheduling your free water test and consultation today.