Let’s talk hydration! Maintaining optimal hydration is imperative to good health. Some of the major benefits include improving circulation, flushing out toxins, promoting nutrient absorption, supporting a clear complexion, weight loss, increasing alertness, and improving digestion. The list goes on and on! We all know it’s important to drink water, however, getting to the end of the day and realizing you’ve only had a glass or two is a common situation we’ve all found ourselves in at one time or another. Check out these hydrations hacks to improve your daily water intake!
Take Morning Sips
Your body spends quite a few consecutive hours without any water intake while you’re asleep, so it’s very important to make hydrating top priority after waking up in the morning. Try filling up your favorite insulated water bottle with icy cold water and keeping it by your bedside. Then get into the habit of grabbing it right after your alarm (or a few clicks of the snooze button…we’re not judging!) and taking some big gulps before doing anything else! Another hot tip is keeping the water bottle by your coffee machine as a reminder to drink it before enjoying a cup of joe.
Make it Fancy
Like anything in life, it’s far easier to complete something, like drinking 8 glasses of water a day, when you enjoy it. So add a little magic! Shake things up and sip your water out of a champagne glass, a teacup that your grandma gave you, or even a frosty beer mug. It might sound silly but making every day, and seemingly mundane, activities into something a little more exciting will not only make you smile, and your kids stare in horror as they watch you drinking out of a beer mug in the morning, but it will support your never-ending endeavor of staying hydrated.
Track your Progress
To avoid the alarming moment at the end of the day when you realize the only water you’ve had is the melted ice in your iced coffee, we suggest checking-in on your hydration progress all day. Set alarms on your phone every few hours as a reminder to evaluate your water intake and then throw back a few (glasses of water! Get your head out of the gutter!) if need be. There are also many inexpensive water bottle options out there that have markers on the side, helping you track the amount you have throughout the day. We like this one.
Add Flavor
Infuse your water with fresh citrus or herbs! It’s easy, just throw in some sliced lemons and mint leaves into a pitcher or bottle full of water and let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have a refreshing and hydrating beverage to enjoy. You can find some delicious recipes for infused water here.
Eat Your Water
A sneaky way to hydrate your body throughout the day is by adding fruits and vegetables with a high water content into your diet. You can add chopped raw cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes to a salad, or snack on watermelon and sliced oranges. Another tip is chopping fresh zucchini, freezing it, and adding it to a smoothie. Zucchini is also water-dense and makes smoothies super creamy!