This blog covers my 6 best tips to increase your water intake. Got a headache? Drink a glass of water.
Feeling brain fog? Drink a glass of water.
Need an energy boost? Before you reach for your next caffeinated beverage, ask yourself: When was the last time I drank a glass of water 🫣?
Before we dive into why it's important to get enough water into our bodies daily, let me start by saying I 100% understand that putting in the effort to hit your daily water goal can sometimes feel like a task. But with consistency, these tasks will become lifestyle habits that will contribute immensely to your overall vitality.
AND YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING HYDRATION!
Water plays a vital role in pretty much every aspect of your health and well-being, from regulating your body temperature to aiding digestion and supporting brain function. It also promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails. Who doesn't want that?!
Let's dive in -
Does your body ever feel stiff in the mornings? Because, same. Water acts as a lubricant for your joints, so drinking water after waking up in the mornings can help loosen up joint stiffness, improve gut motility, and sharpen up your brain first thing in the morning.
Simple tip: Keep a glass of water next to your nightstand or bathroom sink and drink it as soon as you see it every morning. Keep up with this habit for at least 1-2 weeks, and note the effects you feel!
2. Carry a water bottle with you daily
Simple, yet incredibly effective. You'll have easy access to water throughout the day, allowing you to stay hydrated no matter where you are. Seeing your water bottle everywhere is a visual reminder to drink water regularly.
If you feel energy crashes or brain fog during your days, you might want to take sips of water every hour. Proper hydration will help you maintain optimal brain function and concentration. Your mid-day energy crashes and brain fog should not be normalized!
Simple tip: Invest in a quality water bottle that comes in your favorite color, has favorite features (straw/no straw, handle/no handle, can fit in a car cupholder - this should be a non-negotiable, just saying), etc. You'll carry this with you daily for months, so let's ensure it meets your preferences, hydration needs, and lifestyle.
3. Track your intake
If you're struggling to meet your hydration goals, then tracking your water intake will help you monitor any habits or patterns of dehydration and ensure that you're drinking enough water throughout the day.
Simple tip: As you start (or restart) your journey of increasing your water intake, track your water intake for 1-2 weeks and note how your energy levels, physical/mental performance, and hunger cues differ based on how much water you're drinking. Tracking will also give you an idea of exactly how much water you drink daily or not.
4. Set your daily water goals
Similar to tracking your water intake, setting a daily water goal and consistently hitting the goal will give you a clear idea of how your body functions with and without proper hydration.
Tip: I suggest people drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight. For example, a 120-pound person would aim to drink at least 60 ounces of water daily. Keep in mind that your water intake also depends on lifestyle factors. Ex: your activity levels and how much you sweat on a daily basis.
5. Set reminders
Simple tip: Setting reminders to make sure you're drinking water throughout the day is a form of self-accountability. These reminders might be annoying at first, but hey...if you want to develop the habit of drinking more water daily, then setting reminders will help you achieve it!
6. Infuse your water
Simple tip: If your water intake is low because you don't enjoy the taste of plain water, then try infusing your water with cucumber, lemon, berries, herbs, and whatever else makes sense! This is a nice alternative that could keep things interesting for you and help you increase your water intake.
Thank you for reading to the end of my blog post! If there's any topic you'd like me to touch on, feel free to drop it into the message box. :) xo
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