1 of 13

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

feel thirsty, you are often slightly dehydrated. Get in the habit of carrying a water bottle around with you (only refill water bottles that are designed for refilling) and sip from it often.

2. Keep coffee and soda consumption to a minimum. While these drinks do count somewhat towards your daily fluid intake, they are nowhere near as beneficial as water.

3. Try flavored water, seltzer with a dash of lemon or fruit juice, or sugar-free drink mixes. Switching from soda to flavored seltzer takes some adjustment, but after a while you may find that you prefer seltzer to the syrupy sodas.

4. Snack on fruits and vegetables with a high water content, like watermelon, grapes, lettuce, and cucumber. Not only will this help your water intake, but you will also be consuming more vegetables, which is always a good thing.

5. If you exercise, make sure to drink an extra 1-2 cups of water for shorter exercise sessions. For longer, more intense exercise, you should drink a sports drink with electrolytes to keep your sodium levels at safe levels. Room temperature water is better absorbed than ice-cold water; carry around a water bottle to drink from rather than buying an ice cold bottle from the vending machine.

6. Drink more water if you are in a hot or humid environment, or if you are at a higher altitude. Dry environments can also sap your fluids, so be sure to also drink a little extra water during the winter heating season.

7. Try to drink a glass of water with each meal, especially if you are also having wine with the meal. This can also help you consume less alcohol while you stay hydrated.

8. If you feel like you are drinking too much water and spending excessive time in the bathroom, check and see if your glasses are 8 ounce glasses. If you are drinking from 16 ounce glasses and trying to consume 10 glasses of pure water a day, you may be drinking much more water than you need. While it is rare to for the average person to cause themselves harm from drinking too much water, it is possible to cause an imbalance in electrolytes. (This is most common in situations like marathon runners who consume water and not sports drinks.)

9. Stay hydrated if you are sick, particularly if you are losing fluids. If you experience excessive thirst or increased urination, check with your doctor. Also check with your doctor or a registered dietitian if you are concerned about your fluid intake. (If you are experiencing excessive urination because you have recently consumed ten 16 ounce glasses of water, this will likely resolve on its own once you start drinking a little less.)

10. One of the easiest ways to see if you are getting enough water is to look at your urine. If it is pale yellow or clear, you are drinking plenty of fluids. If it is dark, you may need to drink more water. If you feel that you are drinking plenty of water and your urine is still dark, you may wish to check with your doctor.

Staying hydrated can help you avoid symptoms of slight dehydration, such as headaches or tiredness, and can help to give you clear, more moisture-rich skin. Your body works more efficiently when you are properly hydrated, and you will feel better. Add a few glasses of water to each day and see how much better you feel!

Learn more about this author, Zoe Mack.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How much water should we drink every day??
We want to hear your view. Write now!