Drinking enough water sounds so easy yet so many of us don’t get enough water into our day.
Your body is about 70% water, and drinking enough of it is vital for optimal health. While everyone knows that it’s important to stay hydrated, doing so can be difficult at times.
Lets talk about why water is so important and how we can ensure we get enough water in our day
It’s hard to drink water when you are busy. You forget, or just don’t have the time. But it is important to stay hydrated! Drinking water has many benefits for your health and will help keep you feeling sharp and energized throughout your day. In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits of drinking water and how to stay hydrated even on busy days.
Benefits of Drinking Water
Water is essential for life. It helps regulate your body temperature, transports nutrients and oxygen to your cells, and flushes toxins out of your system.
Water Can Help You Lose Weight
Water is a calorie-free beverage that can help you lose weight. Drinking a glass of water can help you feel full quicker, which makes it easier to eat less food during your meals. . Water also helps your body flush out toxins and keeps your metabolism functioning at its best.
A study found that drinking 16 ounces (475 ml) of cold water helped overweight people control their appetite better than those who did not drink any water before lunchtime.
Water Improves Circulation
When you’re dehydrated, your heart has to work harder in order to pump the same amount of blood through your body. Not only does it increase blood pressure, but also affects other organs like muscles which need oxygen access for optimal function! Keeping yourself hydrated will allow better circulation so that all parts are functioning at their best.
Water Cleans Your Body
Your body uses the mineral resources in this liquid for many important functions like sweating and urination. It helps the kidneys work more efficiently and helps avoid serious health problems, such as kidney stones.
Water as a “Shock Absorber”
Another important benefit of drinking water is helping lubricate your joint and spine, so you can move better with your body, especially if you’re doing repetitive exercises.
How to Drink More Water Even When You’re Busy
Drinking lots of water during busy days isn’t always easy but it’s doable, especially when you have a plan. But first, let’s talk about how much water you really need to drink each day. Most people need about eight glasses of water per day, but if you’re active or live in a hot climate, you may need more.
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:
- Women need about 11.5 cups per day.
- Men need about 15.5 cups per day.
So, how do you drink more water without making it feel like a huge struggle?
Set a Specific Goal on How Many Cups You’re Drinking
The key to drinking enough water during a busy day is setting a specific goal. Whether it’s drinking eight cups or drinking half your body weight in ounces, make sure you have a number to aim for.
Once you have that number set in stone, put reminders throughout your day to help keep you on track. Place post-it notes around your house or office. Set alarms on your phone, or use an app like Waterlogged to help you stay accountable.
Drink Water the Moment You Wake Up
Have you ever heard that drinking a glass of warm or hot water when you wake up in the morning helps to get rid of toxins and kick starts your digestive system? You don’t necessarily need to drink hot water. The goal here is to make it a habit to drink water the moment you wake up. It also helps boost your energy.
You might drink coffee first thing in the morning. But the truth is caffeine is a diuretic, which means it increases the amount of urine you produce. You might be drinking water for your health’s sake but if you drink a lot of coffee or alcohol as well, you are not getting enough fluids in to stay hydrated.
Keep a Refillable Water Bottle With You at All Times
One of the best ways to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to keep a refillable bottle with you at all times. This way, you can always have access to water and won’t have any excuses not to drink up. There are even tumblers that have a time tracker for drinking water. It’s a great visual reminder to keep drinking the daily requirement you need.
Set a Reminder
And of course, you can use your phone’s timer to set a reminder to drink water every few hours. This is especially helpful if you have a busy day and tend to forget to drink water regularly. If you want to get fancy, there are Android and iOS apps that can help you set reminders and track your water intake.
App to Help You Drink More Water
- Daily Water Tracker Reminder
- Hydro Coach
- WaterMinder
- Water Drink Reminder
Most of them are free if you want to use the free version. You can always upgrade depending on your needs.
Drink One Glass of Water Before Each Meal
One way to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to drink a glass of water before each meal. If you eat three times a day, you’ll have three cups added to your daily goal.
If you find yourself snacking more often than you’d like, try drinking a glass of water instead. Oftentimes, we mistake thirst for hunger, so by drinking water when you’re feeling hungry, you can avoid eating unnecessary calories. Plus, drinking plenty of water can actually help suppress your appetite and make it easier to stick to your diet goals.
Replace Your Sodas with Water
One of the best ways to make sure you are drinking enough water is to replace your sodas with water. If you are used to drinking a can or bottle of soda each day, try substituting that with a glass or two of water instead. This small change can make a big difference in your overall hydration levels.
Add Some Flavor to Your Water
If drinking water seems boring to you, try adding some flavor. There are many fruit and herb combinations that can give your water a delicious taste. For example, add lemon or lime slices to your water for a refreshing drink. If you want something more exotic, try adding cucumber, mint, or strawberry slices to your water. These flavors will help keep you hydrated while also providing some added nutrients.
Eat Vegetables and Fruits Rich in Water
One way to make sure you’re drinking enough water is to eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Some good examples include cucumbers, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, grapefruit, berries, and melons. These foods will help you stay hydrated while also providing important nutrients your body needs.
By following these simple tips, you can easily incorporate more drinking water into your daily routine without having to change your entire schedule. The trick is to set a specific goal, create reminders, and make drinking water fun.
And remember, if you don’t reach your daily goal, it’s okay. As I always say, our path to wellness is not black and white. Some days you win. And some days, you just need to be kinder to yourself and do better again the next day.
And as always, if you need help to achieve your health and fitness goals (on top of drinking more water), our team is here to help you out.
