7 Natural Tips to Help You Drink More Water
We all know that drinking water is good for us. Proper consumption of water decreases headaches, improves skin, and even helps people lose weight.
Then why is it so hard for some people to drink the right amount of water each day? Busy schedules, water’s bland taste, and lack of easy access may have something to do with why so many people avoid drinking water. Whatever the reason, consider these natural ways to increase water intake for a happier, healthier outlook on life.
Eat Your Water
If you find it hard to drink enough water, consider eating it. Add water-dense foods to your diet and enjoy the benefits of hydration without guzzling water all day long. Fruits and veggies are full of water, so eat up. Try cucumbers, watermelon, grapefruit, celery, iceberg lettuce, and zucchini for their hydrating effects.
Set a Schedule
Maybe you don’t drink water because you’re simply not in the habit. Make hydration part of your routine by setting times to drink water throughout the day. For example, drink a glass of water right after you wake up to jump-start metabolism. Your body gets dehydrated during the night, so drinking water first thing in the morning wakes up your body and helps it function normally.
Additionally, drink a glass of water before every meal. Or, if you spend a lot of time driving in your car, leave a glass water bottle in your car and drink a sip at every stoplight for convenience.
Carry a Water Bottle
Some of us don’t drink enough water because we’re always running off to the next thing. If you’re on the go, bring along a water bottle so you can sip when you feel thirsty. Strategically place water bottles in convenient places: your purse, the stroller, or by the front door.
If you sit at a desk all day, leave an eye-catching water bottle on your desk to remind you to drink more water. You can also use a smart water bottle to nudge you to drink. Many bottles these days light up, connect to smart phones, or feature ounce tracking on the side.
Make it Taste Better
Another reason why some people avoid water is because of its taste. If you’d rather drink coffee, tea, or soda, water may seem like a bland option.
If you don’t love the taste of water by itself, change it up. Add cut-up fruit to your water, or-better yet-use a water bottle with a built-in infuser. Incorporate a water filter if your area’s water tastes tinny or dirty. Or, add a drop of essential oils like lemon, mint, or grapefruit for a yummy and calorie-free taste.
Eat Spicy Foods
Trick your body into craving water by eating more spicy foods. Add red pepper or chili flakes to foods like tacos, chicken, mangos, or even mashed potatoes to increase your thirst. You’ll reach for your water more frequently throughout the day.
Measure It Out
If your day is full of important meetings and family activities, maybe you just don’t realize that you’re not drinking enough water. Many of us think we get enough during the day, but we don’t.
To make it easier on yourself, measure out your water in the beginning of the day. Re-use an old jug and put ounce marks on the side to measure your water intake. You won’t have to remember how many glasses you drank, since all the water you need will be right in front of you.
Make it a Game
Lastly, bring in others to motivate you. Do a water challenge with a co-worker, friend or spouse. Make fun charts to track water intake for a week or even a month. Persons who make their goal the most days get a prize. You can even make a game out of it all by yourself; try to get all your recommended water before work ends.
Of course, you don’t really need a fancy app to help yourself drink more water naturally. The key is to recognize that you’re dehydrated and do something about it.
Use the above tips to increase your intake easily. And call your local water treatment company to get a free water analysis and improve your water at home.