Isn’t it interesting how some people love drinking water all day long, while others find hydrating to be a chore? It’s just one other aspect of what makes us all unique. Though staying hydrated is important, perhaps you’re wondering how to drink more water? Whether you need to trick yourself into doing it or just want a few unique tips, this article will help you find ways to drink more water every day so you can win the water drinking challenge!

How much water should I drink?

Perhaps you’ve heard the importance of drinking eight cups of water a day? According to the Mayo Clinic, that information is not quite accurate.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups a day for men and 11.5 cups a day for women.

That’s quite a bit more than the traditional 8 cups.

This makes knowing how to drink more water even more important, even if you’re someone who doesn’t mind it.

Why should you stay hydrated?

To begin with, water is responsible for regulating your body temperature, transporting nutrients, and supporting the structure of your cells.

In addition, staying hydrated gives you glowing skin, bright eyes, and loads of energy.

If you suffer from depression or anxiety, drinking water will also reduce your mood swings since dehydration is often the source of people feeling moody.

Your body will give you many warning signs when you’re dehydrated. Besides being thirsty, you’ll find yourself tired, cranky, have bad breath, be unable to concentrate, get constipated and even have bad skin.

The best way to check if you’re drinking enough water is to routinely keep an eye on the color of your urine. Your goal is to have the color fall somewhere between colorless and the color of light straw and honey.

Scroll on to read some tips and tricks for how to drink more water!

Here are some easy ways to increase your water intake without too much struggle:

1. Plan ahead

One of the best tips for how to drink more water is to carry around a water bottle.

This little tip will certainly motivate you to stay hydrated since you’re more likely to sip from your bottle during the day.

Always keep your water bottle in your bag, car, or at your desk so you have your little reminder close at hand.

As a result, you’ll prevent yourself from getting dehydrated.

In addition, have a glass of room temperature water waiting for you in the morning and drink it first thing. In doing so, you’ll avoid getting constipated and eat less throughout the day.

2. Make spa water

If you find plain water unappealing, then make some spa water for yourself by adding slices of orange, lemon, cucumber, or fresh mint to your water bottle.

Moreover, you can add some lemon which not only jazzes up the taste but you also get the added benefit of vitamin C which helps bolster your immune system.

Simply add fruit to your water bottle or buy one with a built-in infuser, which is a little basket to fill up with cucumber or lemon.

3. Make fizzy water

Sparkling water is common in European countries and has gotten popular in the US. In lieu of drinking soda, make your own fizzy water.

When you drink fizzy water you can count it towards your total water intake since it’s the same thing but a different texture.

If you’re really into sparkling water, think about investing in something like SodaStream, which takes your tap water from flat to fizzy and prevents single-use plastic waste.

4. Use an app

If you need regular reminders to drink more water, then consider setting an alarm on your phone, wearable (like FitBit), or downloading an app that allows you to set your target intake.

The benefit of using an app or setting a reminder is that it will immediately alert you when you need to drink.

Also, you’ll notice the differences on the days that you’re on track versus when you’re not, thereby motivating you to drink more often.

5. Snack on watermelon and cucumbers

The good news is you don’t have to rely entirely on drinking water to remain well-hydrated.

Another tip on how to drink more water is to consume more water-rich fruit and vegetables in your daily diet.

For example, there’s a lot of water in cucumber, watermelon, celery, melon, and tomatoes. So try snacking on these to calculate how to drink more water.

6. Have a cup of tea

Growing up in a Middle Eastern family, I remember drinking tea throughout the day.

The good news is if you like to drink tea, both herbal and caffeine-containing teas are unlikely to dehydrate you.

If you want to learn how to drink more water, and are bored of plain water, then a cup of tea can provide an interesting alternative in helping you reach your daily fluid requirements.

7. Try coconut water

Another way to increase your water intake is to try coconut water which has additional health benefits like moderating your blood sugar, helping improve kidney health, and keeping you refreshed and hydrated after a workout.

If you want to start sipping this tropical drink, try one like Zico that doesn’t have added sugar.

8. Get fancy

There’s nothing like a fancy new reusable water bottle to encourage extra water consumption. My favorite one is made by Lifefactory.

If you want to get high-tech, check out the Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle. Not only does this bottle track your water intake, but it’s Bluetooth-enabled and pairs with an accompanying app that helps you meet daily hydration goals. Lastly, it glows to remind you to drink water…how cool is that?

If you prefer something a bit more low-key, you’ll love the Life Bottle Time Marked Water Bottle. This BPA-free bottle is big enough to fit an entire day’s worth of hydration and has time markers to encourage regular consumption.

Remember, it’s especially important to mindfully hydrate when you…

Technically, you should always prioritize your hydration. However, if you’re in a warmer climate, are exercising, nursing, or pregnant then it’s critical to be mindful of how to drink more water.

Women who are breastfeeding should make an extra effort to stay hydrated since water helps them produce breastmilk.

When I exercise vigorously I make sure to drink a lot of water BEFORE and AFTER I exercise, otherwise I feel nauseous. Therefore, carrying around a water bottle while you work out also helps you stay hydrated.

Wrap-up

Remember, it’s better to drink little and often throughout the day rather than to go for hours and then down several liters.

And, we’re not all equal when it comes to drinking water.

It’s different for men and women. So make sure you know your body and how much water you need.

Some signs that you haven’t had enough water include having a dry mouth, lips, and eyes, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, feeling tired, and not going to the toilet regularly.

Now that you’ve learned all about how to drink more water and tips to get you there, I’m curious what you do daily to ensure that you’re well-hydrated?

Chime in with your own tips on how to drink more water in the comments!