How to Drink More Water Throughout the Day

We are told to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but that can often be difficult to achieve, even without a busy lifestyle.

While we always tell ourselves to drink more water, it is easy to forgo the good stuff and choose a soda. Or we just do not drink enough water in general.

However, aiming to stay hydrated isn’t as complicated as you might think. Getting enough water into your daily routine will soon become second nature. You might even notice that you have more energy and better concentration levels.

Read on to learn how to drink more water throughout the day!

1. Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go

One of the best ways to up your water intake is by carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go. Doing so means you can take a sip from it gradually as the day progresses.

You will also want to remember to refill it. Fortunately, many places have drinking water available, so this should not be a problem if you are out of the home most of the day.

You can also use the bottle at home, too. It is an excellent way of having water close by without filling up a glass.

You can also purchase a bottle that fits your overall style or occasion. For example, you may want a sports bottle if you are working out. As the day goes on, you can use a bottle with a cute pattern or color to make your water fun to drink.

Whatever you choose to go with, just make sure it is of high quality and doesn’t leak. The last thing you want is to find all of the water has left the bottle!

2. Drink a glass of water before your meal

It is said that drinking water around half an hour before a meal (or during) can aid with digestion of the food. It does this by helping the food to break down in the stomach and process it through the body.

Drinking water before a main meal — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — can help you to get at least three glasses of water into your daily routine.

Also, making a habit of drinking a glass of water before breakfast rehydrates your system. After sleep, you will have spent at least six to eight hours drinking nothing, or barely anything. Morning rehydration not only helps your appetite and metabolism, but it also helps reduce your risk of dehydration throughout the day.

Looking to lose some weight, or maintain a healthy weight? It has been found that drinking water before every meal can help by promoting the feeling of fullness.

3. Flavor your water with fruit or herbs to make it more appealing

Not everyone likes plain water, and that’s okay. Adding flavor to water is just as good as regular water and can add extra benefits.

For example, you can add fruit to a water bottle. Doing so adds natural flavoring to the liquid, but it also adds some fruit juice, too. While it will be less concentrated, it does make the water sweeter and more palatable overall.

Try adding strawberries, lemon slices, and some basil to your water. Alternatively, you could opt for raspberries, mango, and ginger. If you are looking for something tropical, then lime, coconut, and pineapple combined can instantly transport you to the beach!

4. Make sure your drinking water is cold — which burns more calories

Drinking cold water can help you burn more calories. In simple terms, cold water lowers the core temperature within your body. Your body then has to work much harder to warm it up. In doing so, a small number of calories are burned.

This may be great for those who are also looking to lose some weight and drink more water. Plus, cold water is generally more refreshing compared to room-temperature water, so you’re not losing anything (except possibly a few pounds) by giving it a try.

5. Drink plenty of fluids during workouts and hot weather

While you should aim for around six to eight glasses of water every day, this does not account for those who have an active lifestyle. If you are getting in your daily exercise on most days, you will need to drink more water.

If you are walking a lot and breaking a sweat, it is important to replace the lost water. Replenishing your body with fluids keeps you hydrated and can help prevent dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider bringing a bottle with you on walks so that you always have easy access to hydrating liquids.

Make sure to drink more water during hot weather too. We sweat more in hotter weather, so we will need to replace the water that has been lost. Not replacing body water after sitting out in the heat can put you at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Severe dehydration can cause health problems and even result in a hospital visit in some cases, so always keep water on hand when you’re outside in the heat.

6. Avoid drinking sugary beverages, like soda and juice

While drinking fruit juices and soda will count towards your eight glasses daily, they are also full of sugar. This is bad for your overall health and your teeth.

It is okay to enjoy these kinds of drinks occasionally, but water should be your primary go-to for hydration. It has no calories or sugar, and nourishes your body without depositing anything that could harm you physically.

While fruit juice might appear healthy, often all that is left in it after manufacturing is mostly sugar, rather than the beneficial nutrients.

Final Thoughts

Staying hydrated is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you make an effort to set reminders throughout the day to drink water, and carry a bottle with you wherever you go, you’ll find that achieving your daily water intake goal will become much easier. Plus, before you know it, drinking enough water every day will be something that comes naturally!