Keeping your body hydrated is a simple practice that will help you have more energy, increase your ability to focus, help all your systems work smoother, and feel better inside and out.
But it’s easy to forget to drink water.
You might not like the taste of water, maybe you get bored with it, or you simply forget to drink it. Here are some fun ways to inspire hydration, and a simple guide for how to figure out how much water you need.
- make a pot of herbal tea, put it in the fridge, and enjoy sipping it throughout the day
- Add citrus or cucumber to your water
- Get a reusable bottle that you love, and carry it around with you wherever you go
- Set a timer on your phone that will remind you to drink water throughout the day
How much water should you drink?
A general guideline is to take your body weight (in pounds) and divide that number in half. That is the number of ounces of water that your body needs in a day. If you are very active, or in a warmer climate, you will want to drink a little more. (example: 144 lb woman should drink 72 ounces of water).
Your body is able to absorb and use the water more easily if you sip it throughout the day rather than gulping it down all at once. One thing to remember is that what sometimes feels like hunger could actually be thirst, so when it doubt, start with water rather than reaching for another snack.
If you’re drinking lots of water and still not feeling hydrated, you might want to consider upping your intake of juicy fruits and vegetables or adding some electrolytes to your water.
Generally speaking, you can tell whether or not you are well-hydrated by noting the color of your urine. Dark yellow means you need to include more water, fruits, and vegetables in your daily routine, pale yellow means your are doing well and are well-hydrated.
Your hydration levels can also be affected by how much caffeine you are drinking, (caffeine is a diuretic, so it causes you to urinate more often), your activity level, and what medications or herbs you are taking.
If you are concerned about your hydration level, or just can’t seem to drink enough water to quench your thirst, it’s best to contact your health care provider to get to the root cause because you can drink too much water.
