6 Ways to Drink More Water

Water, like food, is required for human survival. However, water can taste bland and boring. Additionally, it can be easy to forget to drink water. So, it’s no surprise that millions of Americans struggle to drink enough water each day.

If you hate the taste of water, you’re in luck. There are plenty of ways to get more water everyday. We’ve put together a guide on easy ways to drink more water. Plus, motivate yourself and learn why hydration is vital to your health.

1. Learn Your Daily Fluid Need

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to how much water you should drink in a day, as everyone has different hydration needs. Your daily water intake can vary day-to-day. However, a good general rule of thumb is to aim to drink eight glasses of water everyday. This means consuming approximately 2 liters, or half a gallon of water a day through foods and beverages.

Of course, this is just a guideline. Depending on your activity level, the climate you're in, and other factors, you may need to drink more or less water. For example, if you sweat a lot or are in a hot climate, you'll need to drink more water than someone who isn't.

If you're not sure how much water you should be drinking, a good way to gauge your hydration levels is to pay attention to your urine. If it's light in color, you're probably well-hydrated. If it's dark yellow or brown, you need to drink more water.

2. Understand Why Hydration Is Vital

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: water is essential for life. Whether you’re looking for glowing skin and more energy, water is almost always recommended as a solution. Here’s why:

Your body weight consists of 60% water. Drinking water is necessary for our overall health and wellbeing, as it is used for everything from regulating body temperature to detoxing.

However, hydration means more than drinking water. Charged minerals or electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium play a key role in maintaining the fluid balance in your body. Each cell in your body needs these fluids and electrolytes to function optimally. When you don’t get enough water or electrolytes, dehydration sets in.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Extreme thirst

• Increased urination

• Constipation

• Sunken eyes

• Dry skin and cracked lips

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Fatigue and low energy levels

• Irritability and confusion

• Fainting

• Low blood pressure

If you think you may be dehydrated, it may be important to start drinking more water. When you are constantly or chronically dehydrated, it can result in long term effects such as poor physical performance and cognitive decline. For example, it can be harder to recall information, and you may feel sluggish.

3. Carry a Water Bottle With You

Oftentimes, we don’t drink enough water not only because we don’t like it, but also because we forget about it. Carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make sure you're drinking enough water. It is a great way to help remind you to take small sips throughout the day.

Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your water bottle:

• Drink from it regularly, even if you're not thirsty. When it comes to staying hydrated, constancy is key. Set a goal to take a few sips from your water bottle every hour.

• Make it easily accessible. Keep it within reach and easy to see so you don't have to go out of your way to grab it.

• Fill it up before you head out. Starting your day with a full water bottle will help you stay on track later on.

• Purchase a stainless steel water bottle to insulate the contents and keep your drink warm or cool.

4. Set Reminders

One easy way to make sure you're getting enough water is to set up reminders to make sure you're on track. There are a few different ways to do this:

• Set an alarm on your phone. Choose a time or two during the day when you know you'll be able to drink some water, and set an alarm as a reminder.

• Write it down. Sometimes the simplest solution is also the most effective. Keep a glass or bottle of water by your bedside and make a note to yourself to drink it first thing in the morning, or keep a note in your planner to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day.

• Use a water bottle with a built-in tracker. Certain modern water bottles come with a feature that allows you to track how much water you've drank throughout the day. This can encourage you to take your water bottle everywhere and be a helpful way to make sure you're on track.

5. Drink Water Before Meals

There are many benefits to drinking water before meals. In addition to ensuring that you're properly hydrated, water before meals may help you feel fuller and eat less. Additionally, water may also help you absorb nutrients from food. When you drink water with meals, it can help your body absorb more of the vitamins and minerals in the food

When it comes to how much water you should drink before meals, the general rule of thumb is to drink about 8 ounces or one glass approximately 30 minutes before your meal.

6. Flavor Your Water

Water doesn’t have to taste boring. Adding a little of flavor to your drink can make it easier to drink more water throughout the day. Here are some tips on how to add some flavor your water:

1. Add fruits or vegetables. Fruits and vegetables like lemon, lime, cucumber, strawberries, and blueberries can all add flavor to your water. Simply slice them up and add them to a pitcher or glass of water.

2. Make herbal teas. Herbal teas are not only delicious, but they're also packed with health benefits. To make one, simply steep 1-2 tea bags in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Then, add the tea to a pitcher or glass of cold water.

3. Add spices. Spices like mint, ginger, and rosemary can all add flavor to your water. Simply add them to a pitcher or glass of water and let them infuse for 30 minutes to an hour.

In addition, you can add flavor to your water with DripDrop. Available in a variety of flavors like berry and fruit punch, DripDrop is a water enhancer that helps you hydrate faster and better. Formulated with electrolytes like zinc, potassium, and magnesium, DripDrop helps your body recover essential fluid and electrolytes. With a third of the sugar of sports drinks, DripDrop makes it easy to drink more water everyday.

Get started with our most popular multi-flavor pouch of electrolyte powder for dehydration relief fast. Or, learn more about how you can save up to 25% on every purchase when you subscribe.