One of the things I have struggled with forever is drinking enough water. Water is the only thing I drink really so you would think it would be easy, but it's not. I forget to drink throughout the day and then I am super thirsty at night. I need to not only drink more, but all throughout the day.
Not drinking enough water has been linked to all sorts of health issues including dehydration, kidney problems, achy joints, exhaustion, dry & aged skin, constipation, and stomach problems.
Here are some of the things I have done to help myself drink more water. And if you have any tips that have worked for you, let me know in the comments! I need all the help I can get :)
Do it With Someone
Wrangle someone into setting water drinking goals with you and help each other out. Text reminders to each other to help keep each other accountable.
Grab a Water Bottle.... Or Three
Either carry a water bottle around with you or (if you are like me and forget to grab it as you go) set a few around in the different areas you spend the most time. I put one by my computer, one in the kitchen, and one in the living room. Shane has one by his desk and another in the car. When he gets home we have some by the couch for when we read or watch TV.
Set Reminders
Whether it is on your computer or phone or another device, set reminders to go off throughout the day. My phone is my brain :) I am sure there are also apps out there that can help you keep track of your water intake. There's an app for everything!
Drink when you are hungry
Drink a glass of water every time you eat. I know this sounds like a no brainer, but I always just grab things and eat quickly and forgo a drink most of the time. Also, when you get the afternoon munchies, drink water first. Your body may just be telling you that you need more water, not more food. Sometimes those signals get messed up. If you drink before you snack and eat meals, it may also lessen how much you eat which if you are trying to lose weight, can be a good thing!
Add some flavor
Even though I love the taste of cold water, sometimes I want to change it up a bit. I sometimes add lemon essential oils to my water. I also sometimes add fruit. My kids especially love the flavored water drops you squeeze in your water. There are also Crystal Light packs for individual water bottles too. How ever you do it, adding flavor can make drinking water not so blah.
Isn't it amazing what drinking water can do? I suffer from 6 of the 7 issues you listed. I'm alway cold so drinking cold water just doesn't make sense to me. Here are a few of my suggestions I use for drinking more water. I've started putting a bottle on my desk when I first come in to work and by midmoring the chill is gone from my bottle of water so I can drink it. I'm also planning on infusing water with fruit and herbs as the weather warms. I'm excited to try some of the simple and yummy recipes I've seen posted online. I also only drink water with lemon when I go out to eat. Thanks for the reminder to drink more water, this sip is to your health! Cheers.
I have found I drink far less water in the winter than in the summer for the same reason. It makes me cold!
I know this is a couple days behind, but I use an app called "waterin" on my iPhone. I *think* it's available on Android, too.
It's a very simple app... you tell it how much water you want to drink during the day and it will send you a reminder. Then you tap the amount of water you drank, and by day's end, you know how much water you drank that day. Then it starts over fresh the next day. I don't always drink every single time I get the reminder, but I definitely have been drinking more water since I began using the app.
Maybe it will help you, too! :)
When I come to my office, I alway bring with my Water Bottle
Drink about 2 liters water will help my own heart, health and beauty
Wonderful tips! I have been really trying to drink more water everyday! i love putting fresh fruit in mine!
I find I drink water so much better if I have a fun water bottle to drink from. I have a 32 oz Nalgene bottle that I love and I try to drink at least 64 oz each day, so I only have to fill it twice. I get cold in the winter too and drink less, but I have also found that adding flavor helps. With my water bottle, the water warms to room temperature so it's not so bad. Thanks for sharing these tips, it's motivating me to drink more water, something I struggle with also.
I have found that if I drink my water 1/2 cup at a time, I can get more in me .By using this method I can
drink. At least 6 full glasses before dinner. That's six eight oz glasses!! The last two are easy to get in with dinner and evening..and no midnight trips to the bathroom.
I've been drinking about 3 liters a day since May.You know it's really good for our health, body. You will feel better if you start. I've lost about 4-5 kg without any efforts. And now I take a bottle with water with me. Anywhere I go I always take it with me. Actually I feel good and I feel lightness.
It was difficult to drink too much water but after two weeks It became a habit. So you guys should try and you won't regret about it. It's not as difficult to start. Different apps like "DRINK WATER" "WATER BALANCE" will help you:)