Happy Healthy: 5 Tips for Drinking More Water

Are you drinking enough water each day? Most people aren’t. Our generation was raised on the Got Milk campaign and push for 100% real juice, and unfortunately the marketing campaigns missed the mark on what our bodies actually needed… water.

Sad fact, many adults claim that they don’t like water. I know I was one of those people, which is why I raised my daughter almost exclusively on water once she was weaned. Sure, she enjoys the occasional sweet tea because we live in the south. But nine times out of ten, she’s drinking water without complaint.

But it’s never too late to improve your diet. If you’re struggling to drink more water, now is the time to get hydrated. Your body will thank you.

How Much Water Should We Drink

Everyone needs water to survive, and we all rely on different amounts. Although coffee does not actually count as water, some people will drink liquids throughout the day without ever touching a glass of water, and they still survive. They are surviving, not thriving. So as we work towards increasing how much actual water we drink in a day, we should start off by setting a goal.

The basic formula is to drink your weight (lbs) in ounces.

So an individual who weighs 160lbs should drink 160oz of water. The bare minimum for any human, and a great minimal goal, is 100 ounces. But also people who live very active lifestyles or work labor intensive jobs or in high heat conditions should exceed that minimum if they are sweating. Hydration is based on the person, their body, their metabolism, and their activity. Set the goal, but thats a minimum. Not an end all.

Tips for Drinking More Water

• Buy a water jug. Hydration has become so… trendy lately. It’s an interesting trend since it’s essential for living. Our bodies need water to survive, and we don’t need colorful gallon jugs with motivational quotes and time stamps on the side. But hey, if it’s working let it go. There are so many water bottles out there now. You can choose a bottle based on the size, or the aesthetics. I like to play close attention to how easy it is to clean- even if you never put anything but water, it can still grow bacteria in little nooks and cranies of a complicated lid. Make sure you can reach your whole hand in the mouth of the jug, or it comes with a bottle brush. Straw cleaners are important too. Find a bottle that works for you, and you’ll be more likely to use it. If you hate cleaning it, or hate carrying it around (i’m looking at the ones without a comfy handle), you’re going to hate using it.
• Add fruit. If you already drink water but need a little refresher to increase how much, add some fruit. Lemon water is the most common, but any fruit can add a light flavor to your drink. Cucumbers, not actually a fruit, also add a refreshing spark to water. Try different combos of citrus and berries. Make sure to clean it out well, and don’t leave it in your car, or you will grow mold.
• Add flavor enhancers. People who are not water drinkers at all may need more flavor to start drinking water. Flavor enhancers can be purchased in liquid or powder form. Make sure you’re reading the ingredients- look for natural flavors, no dyes, and no added sugar. We shouldn’t be concerned about “chemicals” or words you can’t pronounce at this point. The focus is increasing water consumption. We can worry about the other things later. Some of my favorite brands are Stur and Mio liquid additives. I also have found Great Value flavor sticks from Walmart are incredible options. As you increase your water consumption, you may find you’re able to use half a squirt or half a packet. This will not only help you wean into straight water, but also save you money. Double win!
• Join an accountability challenge. This could be a group of people working towards a similar goal, either per day or days per week/month. But it can also be as simple as finding a water chart and filing in each day you reach an ounce goal. Give yourself grace if you don’t hit a goal amount one day. Your body is thankful for the effort.
• Focus on one day per week. Thirsty Thursday isn’t just college drinking, my friends. If you absolutely do not drink any water and need to start from square zero, start by setting a goal to drink a bottle of water one day per week. This may feel too easy, but it will make a big difference. As your body begins to feel properly hydrated on those Thursdays (or whichever day you choose), you will naturally find yourself reaching for water throughout the week.

Looking for more posts like this?

Check out the Happy Healthy series: Tips for Healthier Skin | Tips for Eating Healthier

Let me know if these tips are helpful! Stay hydrated!