Do you drink enough water as you should? Are you sure about that? Studies show that only 1, yes one, percent of people drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day advised for maximum health.
Our bodies need water, and lots of it, to perform basic functions such as temperature regulation, protecting and lubricating your joints, removing waste from the body and fuelling the brain. Not only that, but water is also used to carry nutrients around the body to all your vital organs, meaning that the very function of these organs depends on you keeping yourself hydrated.
When you don’t drink enough water, dehydration sets in. When dehydrated, you become vulnerable to low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, dry and shrivelled skin, and perhaps most noticeably – fatigue. Ultimately, prolonged dehydration can lead to serious illness.
Sounds like water is super important right? But drinking lots of it is often a chore. Luckily we’ve put together a handy list of tips to trick yourself into upping your H2o Intake without barely realising it:
1. Chew Your Water
It may not be as quite as good as a real glass of cool H2o, but the next best thing is to snack on vegetables with high water-content. The best of these are Lettuce, cucumber and celery.
2. Invest in a decent water bottle
Given the dangers of not keeping yourself constantly hydrated, buying a decent water bottle should feel like a worthwhile and necessary investment in your health. High-quality ones made of heavy plastic or stainless steel are your best bet.
Once you’ve chosen your bottle, be sure to take it with you everywhere. You’re much more likely to take regular drinks if it’s always within your line of sight. You can even draw measuring lines on it to track your consumption and hit your targets.
3. Make it a Habit!
If you work at a desk, resolve to replenish your water supply every time you get up from your chair. Or set timers on your phone for regular intervals, or on an hourly basis. If you make the effort to start building healthier habits, you’ll soon find it becomes second nature and you’ll up your water intake without even realising!
4. Add some Flavour
Water doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Spice up your daily glass by adding some fruit or cucumber. Some bottles even come with fruit infusers. You can even drip in some ginger or herbs if you’re feeling really adventurous! Ultimately, if tap water in any form really is just not hitting the spot, even some shop-bought flavoured water can be good for you if you search for the ‘no-added sugar’ varieties.
5. Use a straw!
Yes, seriously! It might sound childish, but the novelty will help to mix up your drinking experience and encourage you to fill up your glass more regularly.
6. Set yourself some Targets
Setting goals helps you to stay focused and improves your chances of holding onto your hydration habits long-term. Plus some healthy competition with yourself is positive and great fun!