This week we’re talking about getting organized by taking care of yourself, and one of the best ways to take care of yourself is to ensure that you stay hydrated.
You probably learned in Science class that our bodies are approximately 75% water, but did you know that your brain is 85% water? Brain “fog” and memory loss can occur very quickly when our brains are dehydrated.
Not only does your brain need water, but water is also used in every bodily process from cell reproduction to respiration. You must constantly replace the water your body loses through normal bodily functions or you will become chronically dehydrated, and chronic dehydration can cause a multitude of health problems including dry skin, kidney problems and even blood pressure issues.
Feeling motivated? Here are five easy ways to drink more water:
Make it Fun
Who says cocktail glasses have to be for alcohol? Serve yourself a glass of water in a crystal goblet with a beautiful garnish. Purchase a cute stainless steel or BPA water bottle to take with you when you run errands.
Make it Convenient
Keep bottles half-filled with water in the freezer. When it’s time to go, add water to the other half of the bottle and your water will stay cold for hours. You can also keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for easy access.
Make it a Challenge
Place a gallon jug in the refrigerator and challenge yourself to drink it by the end of the day or add a chart to your planner and write a check mark for each glass you drink.
Make it Tasty
Add fruit flavors to your water. Many people use lemon, but I actually prefer lime. You can even make your own herb infused water.
Make it Routine
Connect your water drinking to other routine activities: a glass when you get up, a glass when you take your morning break, a glass before lunch, a glass after work, etc. You’ll drink six to eight glasses without any effort. Or set your phone alarm to remind you to drink a glass of water every hour.
Make it Personal
(I guess this should be called “Six Easy Ways to Drink More Water.”) Don’t simply drink water because you’re supposed to. Decide that you want to drink more water in order to take better care of yourself. After all, you are the only one who can make that decision.
How do you stay hydrated? Share your ideas in the comments. 🙂
Note: This post should not be construed as medical advice. I am simply sharing some personal ways I have been able to increase my water intake. You should seek the advice of a qualified medical professional if your circumstances require it.
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If I find myself wandering around the house or in and out of the kitchen I drink a glass of water. I never leave home without my water bottle and I alternately sip or chug my water. Rarely do I not get at least my 8 cups a day!!
I easily drink 8 cups of coffee a day. I started making myself drink a glass of water before I can have another cuppa. I find I am really enjoying the water more than I use to.
Judith,
I am the same way when it comes to coffee (or Barq’s Rootbeer). I had to resort to the same tactics of forcing myself to drink water before I am permitted to have another cuppa or glass of soda. My problem is, I am the one policing myself and I tend to ignore the rule more often than not! Gotta figure a way to really enforce my own rule on myself.
Every morning put a container in the fridge with 8 glasses of H2o. I drink a glass at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4 etc. I mark these times on the outside of the container. A quick glance tells me if I am on schedule with my water intake for the day.
I also try to drink it earlier in the day to prevent nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Great tip Judith!
I’ve found that I don’t like to sip water, esp if it’s in a glass b/c then it tastes weird to me, but if I chug it… so I keep a (refilled) 32 oz water bottle with me, several in the car, and whenever I see it, I take a couple of gulps. Within a day or so, I was finishing the bottle each day, and within a few days to a week, I was CRAVING water when I thirsty instead of feeling hungry or ignoring it.
And, to have fun and procrasticraft, I do something I started in high school — take a bottle you like (for size/shape), pull off label, and use packing tape to make your own label — I do a collage of things I like, phrases from magazines, etc.
Must return to cleaning now…
Oooh-love the idea of making your own label! Thanks!
I Love your site and tips, I had a co-worker who’s wife died of breast cancer her doctor told her at one of her appt. not to drink water from plastic bottle once left in a HOT car. Something to do with the plastic get hot and the water you get some chemicals in your system. I do not even let my kids drink soda from a bottle left in the car. I do not know the details but it is just a tip I wanted to share.
Thanks Angie. I had not heard that.
The heat releases chemicals even in bpa free bottles. I bought some cheap stainless steel bottles to store car water in. When empty I bring upstairs to refill with filtered water.
I heard that as well. Never drink anything left in a hot bottle in the car. I’m not sure why though.
Thanks Kimberly. No more plastic water bottles left in the car. 🙂
The times I do best with water is when I start with 2 glasses as soon as I get up in the morning. That gets me started and within an hour or so I have to use the washroom. Then I just make it a point to drink another glass of water every time I use the washroom and by mid-afternoon, I’ve had at least 8 glasses. At that point I drink only when thirsty so that by bedtime I’m ready to sleep all night without having to jump up to empty my bladder. It’s fairly easy for me as I work from home… need to make slight adjustments on days that I will be out and about more! 🙂
Great Plan Mildred! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I’ve always absolutely HATED the taste of tap water, but bottled water is soooo expensive. There’s a cooler at work, but it’s really just filtered water and still tastes too much like tap water for me.
So….I’ve been trying the new Brita water bottles with a filter built into the cap, and it has been working great for me! I keep one water bottle at my desk at work (and carry with me to sip during meetings, and I definitely tend to drink more during boring meetings!), one next to my bed for my morning/bedtime pills, and often one next to my spot in the living room. Often, I also bring bottled water in the car with me, especially on days I’m running a lot of errands.
And my son is such a thirsty kid, I started keeping a gallon of water and a sippy cup in the car just for him!
That is a great suggestion Sarah. I’ll have to look at those. Thanks! 🙂