How to Drink More Water

I’m trying to drink more water. Did you know that the human body is made up of 60-70% water? Not only are our organs made of water but we use water to transport oxygen to the cells in our body. Most people already know that water is fuel for our bodies and that drinking water regularly is essential; but with work, school, errands and our busy lives in general, staying hydrated often becomes an afterthought rather than a habit. Here are 5 tips on how to turn the chore of drinking water into a healthy habit.

photo credit: simplyalex

1. Water, Water Everywhere:
Whether it’s at the office, in your purse, or in the kitchen… make sure you have access to water wherever you are. Carry bottled water with you and you’ll never forget to stay hydrated.
2. Add a Twist:
Add some flavor to your water to refresh your taste buds. Try a cucumber slice, tiny chunk of watermelon, half a strawberry, blueberries or a squirt of fresh lime. Adding a slice of fresh fruit to your water is healthier than juices or sports drinks and has less sugar.
3. Water 2.0:
If you have an iPhone, you can download an app called “8 Glasses a Day.” Touch one of the glasses on your iPhone whenever you drink a real glass of water and see the virtual ones disappear. The app also has push notification to remind you of how many glasses you have left for the day.
4. The Ol’ Switch-a-Roo:
Instead of ordering juice, coffee or soda at a restaurant, have iced water. It’ll not only quench your thirst, but also be more refreshing with your meal. Bonus tip: If you have sensitive teeth, drinking iced water through a straw helps.
5. Find Your Own System:
Whether it’s lining up eight sticky notes on the rim of your computer monitor and taking them down as you drink water or having
a timer go off at the top of every hour, devise a system that works for you. The more memorable the system is for you, the more you’ll be apt to follow it.

Regularly drinking water is a healthy habit. Start slowly and work your way up to 8 glasses of water a day if you need to. Whether you choose one of these tips or come up with your own system, stick to it and you’ll find yourself drinking more water without even thinking about it.