How to Make Hydration a Priority in Your Daily Routine
- Kaitlyn Marie Redmore
- Nov 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Are you someone who struggles to drink enough water throughout the day? Keep reading to find some hydration hacks to help boost your water intake.
Staying hydrated throughout the day is vital for our overall health as water plays a key role in many bodily functions. Water helps bring nutrients to the cells, gets rid of waste products, protects and lubricates joints and organs, and helps maintain body temperature. We lose water throughout the day via breathing, sweating, and urinating, so it is essential to drink enough fluids to replenish any losses. By drinking enough water, you will feel increases in your energy levels, focus, clarity, and performance.
Hopefully, I've given you enough reasons to want to drink water throughout the day. However, I know that it can be easily forgotten to keep hydrated until you are experiencing signs of dehydration, such as increased thirst, dark-coloured urine, fatigue, headaches, etc. So if you are someone who easily forgets to drink water or struggles to get enough water in during the day, let's talk through some ways to help you increase your daily water intake:
Set Reminders to Hydrate: It might sound a little silly, but setting a reminder on your phone can help you remember to drink water throughout the day. There are also many hydration apps available for free that you could utilise. A simple ping every hour can help keep you on track to staying hydrated.
Create a Water Schedule: You can create your own, easy-to-remember routine by aiming to drink a glass of water before each meal and ensure you drink a full water bottle by the end of each workout.
Infuse Your Water: If you are someone who isn't a fan of drinking plain water, try infusing your water to make it more flavourful. You could add in a slice or two of fruit, vegetables or herbs for flavour, which can taste great and help encourage you to drink. One of my favourite combinations is cucumber and mint!
Get Creative With Your Water: As well as the above, sugar-free cordial is a great way to increase your water intake without all the added calories and sugar. Herbal teas, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, are also a great way to increase fluid intake. If you are someone who likes fizzy drinks, try sparkling water instead of soda.
Invest In a Good Quality Drink Bottle: A good drink bottle that you like may inspire you to drink more water, maybe opt for something colourful and fun. As a bonus, some drink bottles have time markers on them that help you track your water intake throughout the day.
Eat Water-Rich Foods: Include foods that have a higher water content in your day. Fruits like blueberries, oranges, peaches, pineapples, plums, apricots, and raspberries contain over 80 percent water, and watermelon and rock melon contain over 90 percent. Vegetables such as cucumber, celery, iceberg lettuce, and zucchini contain over 90 percent water.
Keep Water Close-By: Ensure you always have water readily available and close by. That might include keeping water at your desk at work, in the car, or even on your bedside table. Make it easy for yourself to get a drink of water at any time of the day.
If you want to feel good and perform at your best, ensure you are drinking enough water throughout the day. We naturally dehydrate during the night, so ensure you start replenishing your fluids by drinking water upon waking. Try incorporating the above tips and tricks into your life to help you stay hydrated.
