To maintain a healthy life, it’s crucial to drink enough water every day, but unfortunately, many of us struggle to consume the recommended amount. With our busy daily routine, drinking water can be easily overlooked. Luckily, there are several tips and tricks to ensure you drink enough water without feeling burdened by the task. This article explores 20 ways to trick yourself into drinking enough water every day.
The Importance of Water in Our Body
Water is essential for the proper functioning of our body. It helps regulate body temperature, flushes out toxins, aids in digestion, and keeps our skin healthy. It also helps transport nutrients and oxygen to our cells and helps maintain a healthy balance of bodily fluids. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and other health problems.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
The recommended amount of water intake varies depending on a person’s age, weight, and physical activity. A general rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water a day, which is about two liters or half a gallon. However, this may not be enough for everyone, and some people may require more water intake.
20 Ways to Trick Yourself to Drink Enough Water Every Day
Start your day with water
Starting your day with water can be a great way to jumpstart your hydration goals. Drinking water in the morning can help kickstart your metabolism, flush out toxins, and rehydrate your body after a night of sleep.
It’s also a great habit to get into since we often forget to drink enough water throughout the day. Try leaving a glass of water by your bed at night, and drink it first thing in the morning to start your day off on the right foot.
This small habit can make a big difference in how you feel and function throughout the day.
Flavor your water
Flavoring your water can make drinking it more enjoyable and help you meet your daily water intake goals. Adding fruits or herbs like lemon, cucumber, or mint can add a refreshing taste to your water and make it more appealing.
This is a great alternative to sugary drinks or flavored waters that can be high in calories and artificial ingredients. You can experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavors and make drinking water a more pleasurable experience.
Infusing your water with fruits and herbs is also a great way to get some additional nutrients and antioxidants from your water, making it a healthier choice overall.
Invest in a reusable water bottle
Investing in a reusable water bottle can be a game-changer for staying hydrated. By having a water bottle with you all the time, you’ll be more likely to drink water throughout the day.
This is especially helpful if you’re on the go or don’t have easy access to water throughout the day. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly choice since you’re reducing the use of disposable plastic water bottles.
Choose a water bottle that suits your needs and style, and make it a habit to carry it with you wherever you go.
Set reminders to drink water
Setting reminders can be a helpful way to make sure you’re drinking enough water. You can set reminders on your phone or computer to remind you to drink water throughout the day. This is especially helpful if you’re busy and tend to forget to drink water.
You can set the reminders to go off at regular intervals or during specific times of the day. This habit can help you stay on track with your hydration goals and make drinking water a priority throughout the day.
Use a water tracking app
Using a water tracking app can be a great way to stay on top of your hydration goals. These apps allow you to track your water intake and set reminders to drink more water throughout the day.
Many of them also provide personalized recommendations for how much water you should be drinking based on your weight, age, and activity level. By using a water tracking app, you can easily monitor your progress, stay motivated, and ensure that you’re meeting your daily water intake needs.
Keep water in sight
Keeping water in sight can be a simple but effective way to remind yourself to drink more water. By having a water bottle or glass of water within view, you’ll be more likely to drink it throughout the day.
This is especially helpful if you’re working or studying for long periods of time and tend to forget to drink water. Keeping water in sight can serve as a visual cue and a reminder to prioritize your hydration needs.
Try keeping a water bottle on your desk or a glass of water on your kitchen counter to make drinking water a habit.
Drink water before and after meals
Drinking water before and after meals is an easy way to increase your daily water intake. Drinking water before a meal can help you feel fuller and prevent overeating, while drinking water after a meal can aid in digestion and help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Aim to drink a glass of water before each meal and another glass after to help you meet your daily water intake goals. This habit can also help you establish a routine and make drinking water a regular part of your day.
Eat water-rich foods
Eating water-rich foods is a great way to stay hydrated throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and spinach are not only nutritious but also contain high amounts of water.
Consuming these foods regularly can help you increase your daily water intake and provide additional health benefits. Additionally, these foods can also contribute to your overall satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer periods of time.
Incorporating water-rich foods into your diet is a great way to boost your hydration levels and improve your overall health.
Make drinking water a competition
Making drinking water a competition can be a fun and effective way to increase your water intake. This can be done with friends, family, or coworkers and can help create a sense of accountability and motivation.
You can set daily or weekly goals for the amount of water to drink and track progress using a shared app or chart. Celebrate milestones and achievements together to stay motivated and engaged in the competition.
By making drinking water a friendly competition, you can stay motivated and have fun while improving your health.
Use a straw to drink water
Using a straw to drink water is a simple yet effective way to increase your water intake. This is because using a straw makes it easier and faster to drink water, allowing you to consume more water in a shorter period of time.
Additionally, using a straw can also help you develop a habit of sipping water throughout the day. This habit can be particularly helpful if you struggle to drink water regularly, as it can make the process more enjoyable and convenient.
Drink water when you’re feeling hungry
Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger, and this can lead to overeating and unnecessary snacking. Drinking water when you’re feeling hungry can help determine if you’re actually hungry or just thirsty.
Drinking a glass of water before a meal can also help reduce your appetite, allowing you to consume fewer calories. Furthermore, drinking water throughout the day can help keep you feeling full and prevent overeating.
So, the next time you feel hungry, try drinking water first and see if it satisfies your cravings.
Set water goals
Setting water goals can be an effective way to stay motivated and track your progress towards increasing your water intake. Start by setting a daily goal for how much water you want to drink, and gradually increase the goal as you get used to drinking more water.
You can also set goals for specific times of the day, such as drinking a glass of water after each meal or before bed.
Tracking your progress and celebrating milestones can also help you stay motivated and make drinking enough water a habit.
Drink water when you’re feeling tired
When you’re feeling tired, drinking water can help rehydrate your body and combat fatigue. Dehydration can lead to a decrease in blood volume and a drop in blood pressure, which can cause you to feel tired and sluggish.
Drinking water can help increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to your muscles, which can help you feel more alert and energized. Additionally, drinking water can help flush out toxins from your body and improve your overall health and well-being.
So, the next time you’re feeling tired, reach for a glass of water to help you feel more refreshed.
Use a water filter
Using a water filter can be a great way to improve the taste and quality of your tap water. Water filters remove impurities such as chlorine, lead, and bacteria from your drinking water, making it safer and more pleasant to drink.
Investing in a water filter can also help you save money on bottled water and reduce your environmental impact.
There are many types of water filters available, including faucet filters, pitcher filters, and whole-house filters, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Infuse your water with fruits and herbs
Infusing your water with fruits and herbs is a simple and tasty way to make drinking water more enjoyable. You can try adding slices of lemon, lime, or orange, as well as berries, cucumbers, or fresh herbs like mint or basil.
Not only do these additions provide a refreshing taste, but they also add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your water.
Infused water can be a great alternative to sugary drinks or artificially flavored beverages, making it easier to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Make it a habit
Making drinking water a habit is key to ensuring you stay hydrated throughout the day. Incorporate it into your daily routine, such as drinking a glass of water before your morning coffee or setting a goal to finish a certain amount of water by lunchtime.
Over time, it will become second nature and you won’t even have to think about it. Remember, staying hydrated is important for overall health and well-being, so making it a habit should be a priority.
Reward yourself
Rewarding yourself can be a great motivator to help you stick to your goal to drink enough water. For example, once you reach your daily water intake goal, treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a favorite snack or a relaxing activity.
This positive reinforcement can help to create a habit of drinking enough water every day. Just make sure your reward doesn’t counteract the benefits of staying hydrated, such as choosing a healthy snack instead of a sugary one.
Track your progress
Tracking your progress can be a great way to stay motivated and on track with your water intake goals. Keep a record of how much water you drink each day in a journal or an app.
You can also track how you feel after increasing your water intake, such as improved energy levels or clearer skin.
Seeing your progress over time can help you stay motivated and make drinking enough water a habit.
Get a water cooler
Getting a water cooler can be a great way to motivate yourself to drink more water. Not only does it provide a convenient source of fresh and clean water, but it can also make it easier to track your water intake.
With a water cooler in your home or office, you’ll always have access to water, making it easier to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Plus, the act of filling up a glass or bottle from the cooler can be a simple and satisfying reminder to drink more water.
Make it a group effort
Making drinking water a group effort can be a fun and effective way to stay hydrated. Encourage your friends, family, or co-workers to join you in drinking more water by setting a group goal or challenge.
You can also organize a water-drinking competition or create a water-drinking schedule that everyone can follow.
Having a support system can help you stay motivated and accountable, and you can all celebrate your progress together.
FAQs
Q_: What are the benefits of drinking enough water every day?
A: Drinking enough water can help regulate body temperature, flush out toxins, aid in digestion, keep our skin healthy, transport nutrients and oxygen to our cells, and maintain a healthy balance of bodily fluids.
Q: How much water should I drink every day?
A: The recommended amount of water intake varies depending on a person’s age, weight, and physical activity. A general rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water a day, which is about two liters or half a gallon.
Q: What are some ways to make drinking water more enjoyable?
A: To help you drink enough water, you can flavor your water with fruits or herbs, use a water filter, invest in a reusable water bottle, and infuse your water with fruits and herbs.
Q: How can I track my water intake?
A:You can use a water tracking app, set reminders on your phone or computer, keep a journal, or track your progress on a calendar.
Q: Can I drink too much water?
A: Yes, it’s possible to drink too much water, which can lead to water intoxication. It’s important to drink water in moderation and to listen to your body’s signals.
Do You Drink Enough Water Each Day? Final Thoughts
To drink enough water every day is crucial for maintaining a healthy body and mind. By using these 20 tricks and tips, you can make drinking water a part of your daily routine and ensure you’re meeting your daily water intake goals. Remember to stay motivated, track your progress, and make it a habit.