Refreshing Ways to Remember to Drink Enough Water by Tracey Pollack - Garden of Life

Refreshing Ways to Remember to Drink Enough Water by Tracey Pollack - Garden of Life

 

For many of us, the idea of drinking more water is hard to swallow. We know that we should, but that doesn’t mean that we do. Why? Some people don’t like the lack of taste. Others prefer sugary sodas or fancy coffees. And many are too busy to even think about drinking enough. But keeping your body hydrated is essential for your health and well-being. Water keeps your heart pumping, your muscles working, protects your brain, regulates your body temperature, lubricates your joints, helps cells survive and keeps skin looking youthful. Without enough water, you’ll get dehydrated, which is a serious condition that can cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, stroke and kidney damage. To help you remember to drink more water, try these smart reminders for a taste of what you’ve been missing.

 

1. Refresh its Style

Dress up your drink by using a fancy or colorful water bottle. You can find lots of different looks, from shiny and sleek, to patterned and playful, to rough and tumble. Match your bottle to your mood, your activity or even your outfit! Finding bottles that speak to your style will make you more likely to carry them with you, so water is always on tap.

 

2. Set it and Don’t Forget it

Dehydration is a problem you can’t ignore, so use a reminder you can’t ignore either. Set alarms on your phone, spaced all throughout the day, and grab a glass each time they ring. Drinking a cup of water every time the alarm goes off will keep you on top of your water goals.

 

3. Flood it with Flavor

If you think that plain water is boring and tasteless, dress up your drink with infusions of flavor! Add some zest and zing to your water by adding fresh fruits, such as lemon slices, orange wedges, watermelon chunks or berries. Perhaps stir in some sliced veggies like cucumbers and celery, or steep in some snipped herbs like mint, basil and lavender. Just a splash of extra flavor takes your everyday water from same-old to brand new!

 

4. Host a Tea Party

Make water your cup of tea by enjoying it that way. After all, tea is simply deliciously flavored water infused with antioxidants. Relax with a steaming mug on a chilly night or refresh with a cold brew on a summery day. Find the brew that’s right for you, from citrus to spicy to herbal, then make tea time your personal “me time.”

 

5. Whet Your Appetite for Water

If you’re fed up with drinking water, try eating your water instead. Certain fruits and vegetables are absolutely bursting with water. Along with being refreshing and hydrating, these foods are nutritious and provide vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. Some of the best water-packed foods include cucumbers, lettuce, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, grapefruit, tomatoes, zucchini and celery. While these water-packed foods can help fulfill your daily hydration needs, you’ll still need to drink pure water, so it’s best to enjoy them with a glass.

 

6. Tap into How Much You Need

So how much do you need to sip? Your personal hydration needs will depend on many factors, such as your health, weight, gender, activity level, heat and the humidity. But it’s smart to start with eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day, then go for more H20 based on your body’s daily needs.These tasty hydration tips can help put your mind at ease about drinking enough water. Come on in, the water’s fine.