We all know we should be drinking more water to keep our bodies hydrated and to reap the many health benefits water can bring. But for many of us, this can be easier said than done.
In a world of flavoursome fizzy drinks and syrup-laden coffees, water’s lack of taste means it can seem less appealing to some of us.
But drinking enough water and keeping your body hydrated is essential for your health and wellbeing.
How Much Water Should I Drink Each Day?
It’s recommended that adults drink eight 225ml glasses or 2 litres of water each day to stay hydrated.
If the weather is especially hot or you’re doing lots of exercise, you’ll need to increase how much water you’re drinking to compensate for the extra water your body is losing via sweat.
The Benefits of Drinking More Water
Water plays a key role in keeping your body functioning properly, helping to:
Keep your heart pumping
Keep muscles working
Regulate your body temperature
Lubricate your joints
Provide essential support to cells
Keep skin looking plump and youthful
If you aren’t drinking enough water, you’ll be at risk of becoming dehydrated.
Signs of Dehydration
The signs of dehydration can include:
Headaches
Fatigue
Dizziness
A dry mouth
Constipation
So, how can you easily make sure you’re getting enough water in your routine to benefit your health and wellbeing?
1. Style it Out
If you’re the kind of person who likes drinking out of a branded coffee cup or an Instagrammable jar or milk bottle, serve your water in the same way to make it seem more appealing to drink.
Invest in some new glasses that you’ll be excited to drink out of at home, and look for a stylish, reusable water bottle for when you’re out and about. There are so many great water bottles available, so you can easily find one to match your personal style.
2. Set Yourself Reminders
If you struggle to remember to drink water regularly because you’re always so busy, set yourself reminders throughout the day to remember to drink. Some people do this through alarms on their phone, and you can also get water bottles that feature time markers, encouraging you to drink a certain amount of water between each one.
3. Add Flavour
Not a fan of the plain taste of water? Adding some fresh lemon, lime, orange or even cucumber slices to your water can add a zing of flavour to make your water seem more appealing.
Other delicious options include fresh berries or watermelon chunks to bring an extra burst of flavour. You could even experiment with herbs like mint, basil or even lavender to mix it up further.
4. Drink More Tea
Of course, water is a key ingredient in tea, so drinking more of it can be another way to help keep your body hydrated.
Drinking citrus or green tea means you don’t need to add milk, so you won’t be consuming hidden extra calories. Look for decaf options to stay on top of your caffeine intake too.
5. Eat Hydrating Foods
Water is also a key component of many fresh fruits and vegetables, which can have hydrating benefits for your body. Eat these alongside drinking plenty of water to boost your water intake further.
Some of the foods with the highest water content include:
Cucumber
Lettuce
Watermelon
Cantaloupe melon
Honeydew melon
Strawberries
Grapefruit
Tomatoes
Courgette
Celery
6. Tune into Your Personal Hydration Needs
Eight glasses of water a day is the recommended amount to consume, but bear in mind that everyone’s personal hydration needs are different. This could be influenced by your activity level, health needs, your weight and how hot or humid the day is.
Although water should be your main focus when it comes to drinks, smoothies can also be a healthy option. Discover some of our favourite protein smoothie recipes here:
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