10 Tips to Increase Water Intake

10 Tips to Increase Water Intake

Water plays a crucial role in our well-being as it helps in blood circulation, maintaining electrolyte balance and BMI levels, and regulating body temperature. Therefore, it is critical to consume an adequate amount of water based on our body’s needs. Generally, an individual should drink around 3-4 liters of water daily. However, it can be challenging to drink more water regularly. Nonetheless, incorporating a few tips and tricks into your daily routine can help you increase your water intake easily.

1. Experiment with different flavors
If you’re looking for a change in the taste of water, you can mix or add different flavors to it. You can also add cucumber, strawberry, kiwi, lemon, chia seeds, or try other combinations. This will not only help you experiment with different flavors, but it will also provide you with several health benefits.

2. Buy a water bottle
Water bottles have come a long way and now come in a variety of cool prints. They offer several benefits, such as keeping your water cold or hot for up to 12 hours, being condensation-free, leak-proof, and BPA-free. Some also come with different water levels marked to help you keep track of how much water you’re drinking. You can take these bottles with you wherever you go, be it work, meetings, or travel.

3. Prefer water over sugar bombs or fruit juices
It is best to steer clear of beverages that are loaded with artificial color and sugar, such as soda, cold drinks, or fruit juices that may leave you feeling good for a while but can have detrimental effects on your health in the long run. Instead, opt for refreshing drinking or mineral water that not only quenches your thirst but also promotes a healthy lifestyle.

4. Opt for fresh fruit ice cubes to hydrate
Have you ever tried making fresh fruit ice cubes? Simply cut your favorite fruit or lemons into small pieces and freeze them in your ice tray. Add the flavorful ice cubes to your water during hot summer days.

5. Set rules
Set different rules and milestones for yourself. For instance, you can start by drafting simple and achievable rules like not watching TV or refraining from eating your favorite dessert until and unless you finish a bottle of water.

6. Consume food with high water content
Fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, oranges, apples, cucumbers, and tomatoes are excellent sources of hydration due to their high water content. Incorporating them into your daily meal plans can help you stay hydrated at all times.

7. Set reminders
Make use of technology to stay hydrated. Set reminders on your phone or computer to drink water at regular intervals. There are particular hydration apps that not only remind you but also track your water intake and overall health progress.

8. Set challenges with others
Initiate a friendly challenge with a friend or involve your kids. Start a healthy competition to determine who can consistently meet their hydration goals.

9. Drink water before every meal
It is recommeded to drink water 30 minutes before each meal, including breakfast, lunch, evening snack, and dinner.

10. Drink water as you wake up or sleep
One easy way to increase your daily water intake is to drink some water as soon as you wake up and before you go to sleep. Drinking water in the morning helps you feel more awake, while drinking water before bed prevents a dry mouth and bad breath.