Considering our bodies are about 70 percent water, it is vital to make sure you’re always staying on top of your water intake. Water is responsible for a variety of different roles in your body, including maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature and promoting cell health. Here are a few tips to keep you on top of your water intake this summer:
Get a new water bottle
Keeping a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day can push you to drink more water simply because it’s an arm’s reach away at all times. Now, you can even purchase water bottles, like this one, that measure how much you’re drinking, making it easier to keep track of your daily water intake.
Track your water intake with an app
Aside from water bottles that can track your water intake, you can also download apps that alert you when it’s time to take a drink. Not only does this help you keep track of how much you’ve already taken, but it reminds you every hour, or however often you set it to, to take a drink.
Mix up your water
If you’re someone who has a tough time reaching for a glass of water, or simply dislike the taste, there are many ways switch it up. One easy way to add some flavor to your water is by using an inexpensive fruit-infuser water bottle like this one. Popular fruit combinations to use in an infuser bottle are cucumber-lime or lemon and strawberry-kiwi, but you can use whatever fruits suit your taste buds.
Eat foods with a high water content
There are plenty of summer foods and fruits with a high water content including watermelons (92%), strawberries (82%), cantaloupe (90%), zucchini (95%), lettuce (96%), celery (95%) and more. In addition to their high water content, these fruits and veggies are also full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that promote overall health.
Keep your eyes on your urine
It’s a well-known fact that your hydration levels is appropriately represented by the color of your urine. For example, if it’s a bright shade of amber, you know that you need to drink more water. Pale and clear means that you’re well hydrated. Keeping track of your urine throughout the day can give you a good indication of how much water you’ve drank, or how much you need to drink
Set a daily goal
The simple act of setting a goal can be motivating and make you more likely to make positive changes that last. To set an effective goal, make sure it’s SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.) For example, tell yourself you’ll drink 32 ounces of water per day.
Water is essential to good health, but we understand that it can be difficult to drink water habitually, especially if you’re busy or dislike the taste. These six tips can help you boost your daily water intake and create better habits around drinking.
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