We've all heard a time or two that we should be drinking more water, especially when engaging in physical activity. But sometimes, drinking water and staying hydrated is a challenge. After all, our bodies are made up of nearly 60% water! How crazy is that? It's no wonder why staying hydrated is so important for our overall health.
Drinking water does more than just quench our thirst - it's an important part of keeping our body functioning properly and feeling healthy. Water helps lubricate our joints, protect our organs and tissues, regulates body temperature, carries oxygen and nutrients to cells, and so much more (Mayo Clinic, 2020).
Increasing your daily water intake doesn't have to be hard. Check out my all time favorite tips and tricks below to help you stay hydrated throughout the day!
1. Infuse Your Water
Choosing to infuse your water with fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs is not only a fantastic way to enhance the flavor of your water, but to sneak in extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are provided by the fruits and veggies itself. There are so many recipes and combinations available but here are some of my favorite:
- Strawberry and Basil
- Cucumber and Mint
- Lemon and Ginger
Pro Tip: How to make detox water - Cut up your ingredients & add the desired amounts to your reusable water bottle. The more you add, the stronger the flavor becomes. Most fruits, veggies, and herbs can last up to 4 hours before they begin to break down.
2. Incorporate Water into Your Morning Routine
If you're the type of person that likes to have a morning routine - this is the perfect way to sneak in some extra water. I like to place a glass of water on my nightstand the night before so it is ready to go when I wake up in the morning. After a good nights rest, your body needs to be replenished. By starting the day with a glass of water, it not only helps set the precedence, but wakes our body up to start the day feeling refreshed!
3. Set A Timer
A simple, yet effective way to reminder ourselves to actually drink water. I know, sounds silly but it's true. How often do you end your day having drank little to no water at all? It's more common than you think. More often than not, it's because we were so busy and focused on the tasks in front of us we forgot to drink water. Setting a reminder timer is a great way to fight back against our busy schedules. It only take a few seconds and the benefits are endless.
4. Purchase a Reusable Water Bottle
Setting a timer to remind ourselves to drink water goes hand in hand with purchasing a reusable water bottle. Aka make the water accessible! The more convenient it is for you to access your water supply, the easier it will become for you to drink it. To make your water convenient, I recommend purchasing a reusable water bottle and taking it with you everywhere. Nothing is more frustrating than being thirsty and not having access to water.
Pro Tip: Choose a water bottle you love and are proud to have sitting on your desk or tucked in your purse or backpack. Pick your favorite color, decorate it with stickers. Make it fun -anything helps!
5. Set (SMART) Goals
Another great way to make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day is to set goals for yourself and track your progress! When setting goals remember to be S.M.A.R.T. & once you've achieved your goal - celebrate 🎉
Specific - Your goal should be concise, clear, & defined.
Measurable - Include dates, specific amounts, and real numbers.
Attainable - Make sure your goal is achievable.
Realistic - Goals should be in line with what you are trying to achieve in life.
Timely - Always set specific deadlines to accomplishing your goal.
Example of a SMART Goal:
I am currently drinking 6 cups of water per day. My goal is to drink 8 cups per day (by 8pm each night) for 1 month.
For more information and helpful tips, please visit our website: garagestudiofitness.com or on Instagram: @garagestudiofitnessllc
