Easy Ways to Stay Hydrated with These 5 Tips to Drink More Water
The new year is finally here and like many individuals, you’re thinking about resolutions for a successful year and a healthier you. Before you purchase that gym membership or purge your refrigerator of treats, why not reach for another glass of water instead? It may be just what you need to jumpstart your health.
There is no nutrient more beneficial to your body than water. In fact, roughly 60% of your body weight consists of water. Aside from helping various systems and vital organs function properly, drinking more water can deliver major advantages to your body’s overall health.
Health Benefits of Drinking More Water
Adequate water intake helps to relieve fatigue, improve your mood, and provide clearer, healthier looking skin. It also acts as a natural detoxifier and promotes kidney function by flushing toxins from your body.
That’s not all water can do for you, though. Perhaps one of the most impressive features of water is that it increases the rate in which your body burns fat, allowing you to lose weight more effectively with little to no effort. Studies have suggested that by simply increasing water intake by 30 ounces per day, the average adult can expect to lose an extra 4.4 pounds over a 12-month period.
Drinking water can also help curb your appetite when consumed before a meal. Because appetite suppression typically results in fewer calories consumed, this practice can help in weight loss efforts as well.
How Much Water Do You Need?
Given water’s important role in keeping your body working properly, you may find it surprising that over 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your body doesn’t have enough water to carry out normal functions like digestion and maintaining energy.
On a daily basis, your body loses up to a gallon of water through perspiration, breathing, and going to the bathroom. The amount of water needed to maintain good health ultimately depends on your body size and activity level, but in order to ensure proper hydration, the Food and Nutrition Board recommends women drink at least 10 cups of water per day. Men should aim for at least 13 cups of water each day.
If this sounds like a lot of water, fear not. There are many tricks you can try to incorporate more water into your diet each day.
1. Give Your Water a Flavor Makeover
If plain water isn’t enticing enough on its own, you may find that enhancing the flavor helps you reach your daily intake. A variety of products on the market are designed to spruce up the water in your bottle. From calorie-free liquid water enhancers in fun flavors, to fruit-infused water and sparkling water options, there are many ways to add a little excitement to your H2O. Sliced cucumbers or a lime wedge gives your water a subtle flavor without the excessive sugar and calories found in juice. If you’re looking for a little fizz in your water, fill your water bottle with club soda or sparkling water.
Another way to add a little creativity to your daily water intake is to use a fun reusable sports container or portable water bottle with a unique design. Find a water bottle that matches your personality. The more attached you feel to the bottle you’re carrying around, the more likely you are to use it.
2. Eat Foods with High Water Content
Staying hydrated isn’t just about drinking enough water. Eating foods that are high in water content can also keep you on track to reaching your goal. Fruits and vegetables are full of water, and are great healthy alternatives to salty snacks like chips and crackers. Some foods with the highest water content are:
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Zucchini
- Lettuce
- Bell Peppers
- Grapefruit
- Cherries
- Strawberries
These foods also make great snacks and are rich in many essential vitamins to keep you energized and full throughout your day.
3. Add Water to Your Every Day Routine
One of the easiest ways to add more water is to fit it into your daily routine. If you have a solid morning structure, set aside time to drink a glass of water when you wake up or just after showering. If your bedtime routine is regimented, remind yourself to fill your cup before you head to bed.
If you are having trouble incorporating water into your routine, keep a water bottle or glass out visible as a reminder. Place your water bottle next to your bed or place an empty glass by the coffee maker in the morning as a reminder to have a glass of water while you wait for your coffee to brew.
4. Challenge Yourself with Daily or Weekly Goals
If you have a competitive spirit, you may find turning your water drinking into a game is an effective way to reach your daily goal and have a little fun along the way.
Creating incentives to drink more water is one way to hold yourself accountable for your goals. Each week, set new water intake goals and reward yourself as you reach them. If you have coworkers or friends who are looking to incorporate more water into their diet, invite them to participate in a water challenge. Just like with sports and fitness routines, competition can help drive your success in seeing a goal through.
5. Fill Your Glass with Clean, Filtered Water Each and Every Time!
One of the easiest ways to make sure you’re getting enough water is to have cold, clean, filtered water readily available. Our Eclipse R.O. (reverse osmosis) and Impression Series R.O. drinking water systems are designed to remove impurities like fluoride and chlorine from your water, providing safe, great-tasting water in your home whenever you want it.
Each of our RO systems are easy to install and maintain, with few replaceable parts to clean and change. Better yet, our filtration systems help save you money by eliminating the need to buy bottled water and are better for the environment.