How to drink more water, today and every day.
One of the most common goals people have is to drink more water. This makes a lot of sense, because good hydration habits are tied to a lot of other health goals.
Consuming more water is tied to benefits including (but not limited to):
Helps maximize physical performance.
Significantly affects energy levels and brain function.
May help prevent and treat headaches.
May help relieve constipation.
May help treat kidney stones.
Helps prevent hangovers.
Can aid in portion control/food goals.
Glowy/dewy skin.
(credit to Healthline.com and UWhealth.org)
So, now that we have established it’s good for us, how do we drink more of the good stuff?
How to drink more water on a daily basis:
Drink water before coffee. Your body is dying of thirst when you wake up. Do yourself a favor and chug a glass of water while the coffee (or other caffeine choice) is brewing in the morning.
Use a straw. There’s a reason bartenders serve drinks with straws, it makes us drink faster. There are plenty of environmentally friendly options these days. We like the stainless steel ones that come with a pipe cleaner.
Bring the water source to you. Fill up a pitcher or water dispenser and bring it to you. You’ll give yourself one bigger task in the morning, in exchange for a bunch of trips to fill up otherwise. You could get a filtered water dispenser like this one, an insulated dispenser if you love chilled water and want to feel like a pro athlete ;), or just get the biggest pitcher or jar you have and fill it up.
Have some herbal tea. Whether it’s hot or iced, herbal tea is a fun way to mix up the hydration station. One favorite is TAZO’s Passion tea which is super fruity and great for morning/afternoon. At night, you can’t do better than the classic Celestial Seasoning’s Sleepytime tea.
Set a timer or ask someone to nudge you. A lot of people ask Shelpful to do this for them.
Add some extra goodies to the water. There are so many things for sale to add to water to get some extra flavor in. Some can be a bit potent / super sweet. For the more subtle add-ins, we like Nuun Electrolyte drink tablets (try just using half of one), or toss in your favorite fruit or fruit puree. It’s a great way to make sure to use that whole bag of lemons or oranges you bought.
Add some sparkles to your day. Sparkling water probably shouldn’t be the only type of water you drink (it never feels quite as refreshing as still water, does it?), but keep some on hand to mix it up. It can feel like a nice treat, and also can wake you up a bit when you get the 2pm sleepies.
Keep water on-hand while you exercise. Never start that workout without your water nearby. Your body needs it, so give it up. Take water breaks when you need them, and fuel your movement whether you are moving outside or doing a yoga class in your bedroom.
What are your tips to drink more water? Did we miss anything? Message us @heyshelpful on Instagram and @shelpful on Twitter or Facebook
Happy hydrating!
