There’s no standard recommendation for how much water you should drink each day because it varies so much from person to person. The amount of water an individual needs can even vary from day to day depending on activity levels and weather conditions. Still, water is essential to good health, and many of us would benefit from drinking more water than we currently do.
How water helps your health
Water helps promote good overall health. It helps your body regulate temperature, it lubricates and cushions joints, and it helps your body remove waste. Choosing water over other beverages can also help you manage a healthy weight.
Drinking enough water also prevents dehydration. Dehydration can cause unclear thinking, it can influence your mood, and it makes you more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
It’s especially important to drink plenty of water when being active or spending time outdoors in high temperatures.
Why choose water?
While we get some fluid from the foods that we eat, most of our daily fluid needs are met through the beverages that we drink. It’s better to meet your daily fluid needs by drinking water than relying on sodas and sugary drinks.
Making a conscious effort to drink more water can help you meet your daily fluid intake requirements without adding calories, sugars, or artificial sweeteners to your diet.
Ways to drink more water
Choose a reusable water bottle with volume measurements. This way you know exactly how much water you are drinking.
Always carry your water bottle with you, and refill it whenever you get the chance. Having constant access to water is the first step in drinking more water.
Keep a water log. Write down the amount of water that you drink each day. Draw circles or use hydration stickers or stamps so you can check off your ounces or glasses easily.
Get in the habit of drinking water. After it’s a habit, it won’t feel like a chore.
Set goals for how much water you want to drink each day. It’s not practical to think that you’re going to go from drinking 0 ounces of plain water a day to 100 ounces of plain water a day overnight. Start small, and increase the amount of water you drink each day over time.
Challenge friends or family to meet water goals. See who can keep the streak going the longest!
Choose water at restaurants. It’s better for you and it will save money.
Some people don’t like the taste of plain water. Infusing your water with cucumber, mint, raspberry or your favorite fruit combination can add a hint of flavor without straying too far from plain water. You can either buy a water infuser or you can just add the ingredients to a pitcher of water.