Drinking water is the single most important aspect of survival (aside from breathing, of course). However, many of us don’t get in nearly enough fluids. Sixty-four ounces (or roughly two liters) is the rule of thumb for daily water consumption, but our needs vary depending on activity level, health, and other factors.
Rather than fixating on a number, it’s best to incorporate some easy-to-do, easy-to-remember ways to help you drink more water and get in more gulps.
1. Keep it Visible
You know the old saying “out of sight, out of mind?” The same can go for water, too.
Try keeping a full glass nearby at home, a water bottle in the car, and a tumbler at work. Even better, add some ounce marks to your beverage containers to chart your progress throughout the day.
Around lunchtime, check in to make sure you’ve reached at least half of your daily goal. If not, get drinkin’! You can also stock your fridge with water bottles for a quick and easy grab before stepping out of the house.
2. Mix It Up
It’s no secret that soda and smoothies can be much more alluring than water. To put it bluntly, compared to these tasty drinks, water can be pretty boring. However, it’s a versatile beverage that can be spruced up to add more flavor to your sips.
Simply sprinkle in your favorite flavor of powdered water enhancers, or kick it oldschool with a wedge of lime, squirt of lemon, or slice of orange. Experiment and have fun with your concoctions until you hit the perfect flavor combo that’ll keep you interested and refreshed.
3. Eat Your Veggies
Did you know that a large percentage of water intake comes from the foods that we eat? So if you want to increase your water consumption, another easy way to do this is to add juicy, replenishing foods to your diet.
Try tossing some chopped apples into your oatmeal, add broccoli or kale to your rice, or mix some berries into your yogurt. The possibilities are truly endless (and yummy)! You can also enjoy a hydrating blast of antioxidants by sipping on green smoothies throughout the day.
4. There’s an App for That
There’s an app for almost everything these days! So it’s no surprise you’ll also find apps that have helpful timers, reminders, and intake calculators to help you track and manage your daily water consumption.
It may sound silly, but sometimes we literally forget to drink because we tend to ignore our thirst signals when we’re busy. These helpful apps keep us in check while offering a variety of useful tools and tips to get the most out of every gulp. Let’s face it – most of us are glued to our phones, so cell notifications are where it’s at.
5. Try Tea, Too
When we talk water, we usually envision a chilled bottle or a tall, iced glass. However, we can enjoy it nice and hot, too.
Enter tea. Opt for a smooth breakfast blend in the morning for a more hydrating alternative to coffee. Enjoy a warm cup of peppermint to make your tummy happy post-lunch, and wind down in the evening with a nice herbal blend that promotes sleep and relaxation.
This way, not only do you get all the herbal benefits of tea, you’re also keeping your body well-hydrated.
With these ridiculously easy tips, you’ll have zero excuses for not getting in a good day’s worth of water. The more mindful you become of your drinking habits, the more water you consume, and the more water you consume, the better you’ll feel! Enjoy the energy boost, glowing skin, and overall vitality that only nature’s liquid gift can bring.
Image Credit: Brittany Richard
