Most people know that water does a body good. All of our organs depend on water to function. Adequate hydration improves energy, mood, joint movement, and overall health. Water can even help to facilitate weight loss.
Drinking water provides never-ending benefits and quenches your thirst like nothing else. Still, it can be hard to consume the necessary daily amount.
Here are some simple ways to increase your water intake.
Purchase a Reusable Water Bottle
Carrying water everywhere you go reminds you to stay hydrated. Every time you look at the container, it’s a visual cue to drink more. You can save money and reduce plastic waste by purchasing a reusable water bottle.
Spend a couple of extra dollars on a well-made water jug that you wouldn’t want to lose. Investing in such a product forces you to remember it when you go to work, school, stores, or a friend’s house. The bigger the bottle, the better. If you always have water with you, you can always stay hydrated.
Set Water Alarms
Sometimes we get distracted or concentrate on work and forget to drink water, even if it’s all around us. An easy solution is to set alarms on your PC or mobile device. Turn on notifications to drink a glass of water every hour or smaller amounts every half hour. Make sure you can hear the alarm if you’re in a loud place.
You can also take an old-school approach and leave Post-it Notes everywhere. Tape a big sign next to your work area that says, “STAY HYDRATED.” Eventually, this forms a habit, and your water intake increases automatically without constant reminders.
Substitute Other Drinks with Water
Anytime you want a glass of soda or juice, try having water instead. The more you replace those sugary drinks with water, the healthier you become. If it helps, you can flavor your water with lemon, coconut, cucumber, or a calorie-free drink mix. If you like the taste, it will entice you to reach for water next time you open the refrigerator.
Drinking alcohol also rapidly dehydrates your body. If you’re going to drink, it’s best to have a glass of water with every alcoholic beverage. If you go out to eat, order water instead of soft drinks and beer. You’ll feel better later, and your wallet will thank you.
Track Your Water Habits
You may think you’re drinking plenty of water, but it might not be enough. Different factors affect our need for hydration, such as exercise, weather, and overall health. For example, pregnant women may need to increase their water intake even if they feel fine.
The simplest way to improve your water consumption is to track how much you drink daily. It’s easy to forget if you don’t monitor your progress. You can log your water intake with a notepad or 3×5 card. Carry these papers with you (along with your reusable water bottle) and document each glass of water you drink. For a more convenient approach, create an Excel spreadsheet that shows your totals and averages for each week and month.
Increase Your Water Intake Now
To stay healthy, you should drink 64 ounces (or eight glasses) of water daily.
If you still don’t have a thirst for water, MediPlan Diet Services can help you stay hydrated. For more water intake tips and support, call us at (901) 362-7546.