Why Is Staying Hydrated Important?
Because our bodies are made up of about 60% water, we need it to survive. Even though staying hydrated is necessary for life, there are other benefits to drinking water. Not only should you be drinking water because you have to, but it’s simply good for you. Drinking a few extra glasses of water daily can have a huge impact on your day-to-day life.
Benefits of Staying Hydrated
- Improves sleep quality
- Positively affects mood
- Enhances cognition
- Maintains healthy organ functions
- Strengthen the immune system
- Promotes a glowing complexion
How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?
The typical recommended dosage is at least eight cups of water a day for most adults. However, that number tends to be higher according to other experts. If you’re an athlete, frequently exercise, or have an intensive job, you may need more water as you sweat out toxins. Even 30 minutes of exercise can result in dehydration, so be sure to bring a bottle of water with you next time you go to the gym!
Creative Tips For Staying Hydrated
Sometimes staying hydrated isn’t our top priority, and it’s easy to forget to drink our daily dosage of water every single day. However, there are several creative ways for staying hydrated.
1.) Set Reminders On Your Phone: Setting reminders on your phone, whether that’s hourly or every other hour, can be a helpful way to remember to drink up! If you have a smartwatch that syncs to your phone, that’s even better. Once you get the notification, go grab a glass and drink a cup. This splits it up so it doesn’t seem like you have to chug water, and you’re staying hydrated throughout the day.
2.) Mark Up Your Water Bottle: Another tip for staying hydrated is to buy a cheap water bottle and mark it up! If it’s a 32-ounce water bottle, every 8 ounces you can mark lines and set a time to drink. Add times for both the morning and evening since you’ll need to refill it to get your 64 ounces in. That way, when you set your water bottle on your desk, you can see how much you need to drink over the course of the day and continue drinking water once you get home.
3.) Download an App: There’s an app for everything, including ones that remind you to keep hydrating! Just search for “water reminder” in the App Store for iPhones or Google Play Store for Androids. There are a ton of options out there that are completely free. Apps are a fun way to set up reminders for water and can motivate you to drink more.
4.) Add Some Flavor: There’s no denying that water is sometimes too plain. Drinking water can seem mundane and tasteless for many. However, substituting sports drinks and sugary vitamin waters for plain old water is not a good alternative. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add some much-needed flavor to your water! Lemons, limes, and other fruits are a great addition to water and can provide some extra pizzazz. Besides making water taste better, fruit-infused water can be beneficial to your health as well. If you’re struggling to get your eight cups of water in, swapping out a few ounces for a flavored option can be a great way to maintain hydration.
Whether you’re out lounging by the pool at Arden Place or sunbathing at the beach this summer, don’t forget to bring a water bottle and drink up!