We all know (and say) we should drink more water. But how do we go about doing so?
About 70 percent of the human body is made up of water. Of course, there are many benefits to drinking more water, including:
- Joint lubrication
- Improved oxygen delivery throughout the body
- Boosted skin health
- Body temperature regulation
- Digestive system support
- Maintenance of blood pressure
- Kidney damage prevention
- Boost in exercise performance
And your body needs even more when you’re physically active, running a fever, having diarrhea or vomiting, or in a hot climate.
If you’re trying to drink more water daily, the following are eight tips to help you succeed.
Set your hydration goal
It’s important to know what your body needs so that you can set a reasonable daily goal for yourself.
And while there are varying recommendations on how much water to drink, such as at least 64 ounces per day, you’ll also find more specific recommendations, such as 125 ounces per day for men and about 90 ounces per day for women.
But keep in mind that your specific fluid-intake needs truly depend on your activity level, location, health status and so on.
At Kaia FIT, we recommend drinking at least half your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you’ll want to strive for at least 90 ounces per day. You also can check out this free hydration calculator.
Once you have a good sense of how much you should be drinking, simply the act of setting a daily goal can be motivating and help you make positive changes that can last.
Just make sure that any goals you set are S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound. Doing so will help you better monitor your progress, and tracking will only help you reach those goals as well.
Keep a reusable water bottle with you
About half of your hydration battle comes down to simple availability. By keeping a reusable water bottle with you, you can more easily drink in any setting and during any activity.
The bottle is also a visual reminder to drink more water. Keep it in your view as much as you can. Plus, a reusable bottle is better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles. Win-win!
Set reminders to drink more
Whether you prefer your smartphone or smartwatch, you also can easily set reminders throughout the day to drink more water.
That could be reminders to take a few sips every 30 minutes or to finish your current glass and refill it less frequently (like every hour).
Reminders can be great if you struggle with forgetfulness or are too busy, but pick a frequency that is helpful for you and not annoying. If the reminders are too often, you might dismiss them entirely and lose out on their benefit.
Substitute water for other drinks
If you drink soda, sports drinks, or other similar beverages, you have a great opportunity to swap out these drinks for water.
Because they’re so full of sugar, you’ll automatically benefit from a reduced daily sugar intake as well as increasing your intake. In general, you’ll want to limit your sugar intake to about 5 percent or less of your calorie intake, and one soda can actually exceed this.
Replacing these drinks with water will help you hydrate even more.
Partner drinking water with other habits
A great way to build a new habit (such as drinking more water) is to pair that new habit with an existing habit.
For example, drinking one glass of before each meal can help increase your intake. By eating three meals per day, you’re automatically consuming three extra glasses per day along with them. And, of course, drinking water before a meal also helps you better understand your thirst versus your hunger, which can help with weight loss or weight maintenance.
But this philosophy can be applied to any habit, such as brushing your teeth and so on.
Add flavor
Is the flavor of plain water a bit bland? If so, a little bit of flavor can help you drink more, and there are many options to “spice up” your water intake.
One way to flavor your water is by drinking out of a fruit-infuser bottle, where you can use cucumber and lime, lemon, or strawberry and kiwi, for example. But any combination of fruits that appeals to you is perfect.
If you opt for a powder or liquid enhancer, be aware of any sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other additives that can be counterproductive to the health benefits of drinking more water.
Eat foods that are high in water
Increasing your intake doesn’t all have to come from your water bottle. Foods that are high in water are a great addition to your nutrition and your hydration goals.
Fruits and vegetables are particularly high in water, including (but not limited to):
- Cucumbers, which are 96 percent water
- Celery, which is 95 percent water
- Tomatoes, which are 94 percent water
- Zucchini, which is 94 percent water
- Strawberries, which are 92 percent water
A bonus of including more fruits and vegetables in your meals are all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that you’ll get as well.
Challenge a friend
Accountability is key with any new health goal, so finding an accountability partner who also wants to drink more water will help keep you motivated.
Of course, this accountability can take many forms, such as a fun competition with an agreed-upon prize at the end. How creative you get with it is up to you, but the participation of others will help keep you going and turn a goal into a daily, lasting habit.
In conclusion
To fully reap the benefits of an increased water intake, remember to be patient. Starting a new habit isn’t easy. As you progress, you can always increase your daily goal, but start slow and know that you can build over time.
Kaia FIT is a women’s fitness and nutrition program that empowers women to become the best version of themselves through personalized coaching in a group environment. We prioritize community to help connect women to each other for additional support and accountability. Caren Roblin is the owner of Kaia FIT Sierra, with four studio locations in Reno-Sparks.