by Michelle Homan

Created on: September 22, 2010

Drinking pure water keeps your body and mind running smooth.  All bodily functions require water to perform, and even slight dehydration can have adverse effects on your day.  Before fatigue and headaches set in, try these tips for drinking more water and give your body the hydration it craves.

1.  Get a reusable bottle

Reusable bottles come in all shapes, sizes and colors.  Invest in a bottle that holds at least 24 ounces (32 ounces equals 1 liter).  Make a habit of filling up the bottle in the morning, and then having to refill it (cause you drank it all) in the afternoon.  Carry the bottle everywhere.  With the bottle staring you in the face all day, you will be reminded to drink, and will know exactly how much water you consumed the entire day.

2.  Get easy, inexpensive access to water

Don’t rely on $2 bottles of vending machine water.  Invest in a water filtration device so that ‘free’ water is always at your fingertips.  Filtered water straight from the refrigerator, filtered pitchers, water coolers, or tap filters will give you access to round the clock, clean water.  Don’t forget to keep a pitcher of filtered water at work to fill up your reusable bottle!

3.  Replace soda / iced tea / sugary drinks with water

Sugar and caffeine counteract any bit of hydration you may receive from these beverages.  Soda is the worst culprit.  If you’re still drinking soda (and diet soda counts!), replace that soda with ice cold water.  This way you’re staying hydrated and saving calories too.  Sports drinks also fall into this category.  Unless you are sweating out electrolytes for at least an hour, sports drinks are not necessary. 

4.  Train your taste buds

A common complain about water is the lack of taste.  Taste buds need time to be trained.  Choke down plain water for a couple of weeks and soon you’ll find it’s not as bad as you once thought.

5.  If all else fails…

There are powders to spruce up the taste of water.  Opt for ones with no sugar, no calories, and no other impure additives.

You can drink more water.  Making slight lifestyle adjustments will set your life up to make water consumption seem like second nature.  Staying hydrated throughout the day will improve energy, focus, and overall physical and mental wellbeing. 

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