Water makes up about two-thirds of our bodies and is involved in almost all metabolic processes in some form. Regular water consumption has been shown to promote weight loss, prevent dehydration, stimulate detox processes and improve digestion, energy, mood and brain function. We all know water is an important part of health but when asked how much we drink every day, most of us probably respond with “not enough”. These tips will make staying hydrated easy!

Keep it handy and visible

Have you ever gotten to the end of your day and said “Wow! I didn’t drink any water today”. Many people simply forget to drink water because they were so preoccupied with all the other tasks they needed to focus on. Keeping a water bottle handy and visible on your desk or work station will keep hydration on your mind and you won’t have to stop what you’re doing to take a drink. Take it with you wherever you go and make an effort to take a few sips every time you see it!

Track your intake

Setting goals for yourself works for drinking water the way it does for everything else. What gets measured gets done! There are many products available to help you do this including apps and marked water bottles but one of the easiest tools can be found in your junk drawer: rubber bands. Place one rubber band at the bottom of your water bottle for each bottle you plan to drink that day. After you drink a bottle, move the band to the top and aim to move all the bands to the top of your water bottle by the end of the day. This will serve as another visual reminder to drink water regularly and help you track how much you consistently drink.

Add some flavour

Plain water can be boring so spice it up! Adding foods like berries, lemons or cucumbers can give your water some natural flavour and make you more likely to drink it. Plus, you’ll be getting the added benefit of the vitamins and minerals that leech into the water. Try to avoid commercial sweeteners since they often contain many artificial chemicals, flavours and dyes that aren’t meant to go in your body! 

Drink with everything you eat

You eat throughout the day so use that to your advantage to increase your water consumption. Drinking a glass of water with every meal and snack you eat will ensure you are drinking water at regular intervals. Water is helpful for digestion because it helps break down food in the stomach and soften the stools. Drinking water before your meals also sends a signal from your stomach to your brain that something has been eaten which can prevent you from overeating and keep you fuller longer. Every time you eat, have a drink of water too!

Fruits and veggies

You don’t just have to drink your water! Adding fruits and vegetables with high water content to your diet can increase your daily hydration without feeling like you have to constantly be drinking. Foods like cucumber, zucchini, watermelon, grapefruit, celery, radishes, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe and iceberg lettuce are all made up of at least 90% water. Incorporating these foods into your meals and snacks can improve your hydration status while increasing your fruit and vegetable intake too!