Drink More Water: 5 Tips for Staying Hydrated

Drinking enough water every day is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy, which is more important than ever in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. But how much is enough? Read on for 5 tips to drink more water to keep your body hydrated.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

There are many opinions on this subject, but drinking around half an ounce for each pound of your body weight every day is a good place to start. Some studies suggest drinking one-half gallon of water every day, but for some people, this is not enough. Diets high in sodium and drinks high in sugar and caffeine can dehydrate your body quickly. It’s important to keep account of your daily exercise and diet, too.

But can you drink too much? While every person is different, a healthy balance of nutrients is important for everyone. While too much sodium consumption is generally bad across the board, drinking too much water can result in an unhealthy drop in sodium levels. Moderation is key.

The following tips will help you stay healthy and hydrated!

1. Buy A Reusable Water Bottle

Single-use water bottles can feel like a hassle to carry around. And if you’re upping your daily water intake, you’ll likely be buying more. Investing in a reusable water bottle can save you considerable amounts of money, as well as reduce the amount of your daily waste. Thankfully, companies such as Nalgene, Hydro Flask and Yeti have introduced a great selection of these reusable water bottles to choose from! Who knows– maybe a trendy new bottle sitting on your desk will be a good incentive to drink more water!

2. Sip Water Throughout The Day

Drinking water throughout the day is something we should all do. But does it matter how quickly we drink it? Several studies show that sipping water throughout the day allows your body to process water intake more efficiently. You’ll probably take fewer trips to the bathroom, too. Additionally, drinking a glass of water before and after meals can boost your digestive system. If you’re worried about forgetting, set a few reminders on your phone throughout the day to remind yourself. Every 15 minutes is a reasonable place to start.

3. Drink More Water By Adding Some Flavor!

For a lot of people, water is just too boring. It doesn’t taste like much, and if you’re used to drinking a lot of juice and flavored drinks, you might need to add some flavoring to your water. Water enhancers like Mio, Nuun, and Stir have a wide variety of flavors to pick from. Many of these water enhancers are packed full of electrolytes, too. But if you want to keep it simple, you can always add natural water enhancers like lemon, cucumber slices, and mint leaves to your water. They’re simple, easy, and tasty.

4. Use an App to Keep Track of Your Water Intake

Keeping track of how much water you drink every day can help motivate you to drink more water! Set a goal every morning, count your refills, and track your progress throughout the week. There are dozens of apps you can use to help. My Water Balance, Aqualert, and the Drink Water Reminder apps have all gained notable reviews.

5. Swap Out (or Supplement) Your Coffee for Water

We might be drinking throughout the day, but some of our favorite beverages dehydrate us. So drink a glass of water (or two) while your coffee is brewing. Or swap out your favorite sugary carbonated beverage for sparkling water. It’s no calories and will keep you hydrated!

The Wonder of Water for Your Health

There’s nothing worse than skin that just won’t clear up, and drinking more water can help with that. The extra hydration helps to flush away toxins and cleanse your body from the inside out. In addition to benefiting your skin, some studies suggest that how much water you drink also affects your joints, mood, and metabolism. So if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important that you take your hydration seriously. It will make you feel fuller faster, and provide a temporary metabolism boost.

The benefits of good hydration are endless. Many minor ailments such as headaches, conception, and fatigue can be linked to poor water intake, so before you take another Advil, try drinking water throughout the day first. You could just be chronically dehydrated. Check out FamilyApp.com for more articles on health, COVID-19, and more!