We all know how important water is for our bodies.
According to science, a healthy human body requires at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. However, most of us don’t drink enough water, despite knowing all its benefits.We’re either too busy in our routines or we simply fail to do it despite our best efforts.
If you want to boost up your daily water intake, Cooking Light magazine suggests nine effective strategies that could work for you.
1. Carry a pitcher or refillable water bottle
Having a handy pitcher or a large refillable bottle by your desk can serve as a good reminder for you to drink lots of water. Doing so, you also won’t have to refill it again and again.
Sharing her experience, Cooking Light Diet community member Joanne Zuccaro Devaney says: “Every time I go out I grab a bottle or two depending on the amount of time I expect to be out.
“I also have a 16-ounce glass that I leave on the kitchen counter and sip from. If I finish four bottles or glasses per day, I know I drank enough.”
Member Bonnie Schubert-Sherman said: “I have a 64-ounce Rubbermaid pitcher. I keep it with me all the time. By early evening, it needs to be empty! That works for me.”
2. Make use of rubber bands
A fun way to keep yourself motivated to drink water is to make use of rubber bands. Wrap eight bands around your water bottle and take off one of them after you drink one glass of water.
Community member Kelly Becker says: “I drink a glass of warm water as soon as I get up and add one rubber band to my 8-ounce glass.
“Each time I drink, I fill up eight ounces and add a rubber band, having already set aside eight bands.”
3. Stay active
By staying active, you will always be ready to refill your glass to get the required water intake.
Assistant Editor at MyRecipes.com Emma Crist says: “My simple tip for remembering to stay hydrated? Move at least once an hour.
“It may sound simple, but the act of standing up always reminds me to grab my water bottle.”
4. Buy different bottles
Purchasing a handful of water bottles in your favorite colors can do wonders to motivate you to drink water. What’s more, you’ll always be ready to carry these bottles around.
Cooking Light Diet community member Crystal Kreager says: “I buy fun water bottles! Whenever I’m bored and not interested in drinking I’ll get a new one.”
5. Eat hydrating foods
There are lots of water-rich veggies and fruits that can provide you with enough water.
Some of them are grapes, cherries, cauliflower, radishes, celery, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, lettuce, watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, apricots, zucchini, and bell peppers.
6. Use your smartphone
There are scores of smartphone apps (like HidrateMe Smart Water Bottle, Waterlogged or Daily Water Free) that can track how much water you’ve consumed in a day.
Or you can simply set reminders to drink the required number of water glasses.
Cooking Light Diet community member Cynthia Mason Moran says: “I use the free app Plant Nanny. You get a plant and have to water it throughout the day.
“It sends reminders to your phone when it is time to drink. When you drink, your plant grows. If you don’t drink enough, the plant gets sad and wilts or turns brown.
“It’s a cute way to make sure I get my water.”
7. Add flavor
Some people can’t just consume enough water due to its tastelessness. If that’s the case with you, you can try adding a little flavor in your water bottles.
Infusing raspberries, lemons, watermelon chunks, or orange slices could always provide you the incentive you need.
Community member Saska Albright says: “I’m addicted to infused water. I buy pints of pre-cut fruit (melons, berries, mango, etc.) and put it in a 2-gallon pitcher with water overnight.”
8. Use larger containers
Carrying a large container can make you drink more water.
Cooking Light editor Kimberly Holland says: “Tiny water bottles are annoying, and to meet your daily water quota, you have to drink so many!
“I’ve invested in a few bigger bottles, like Nalgene’s 32-ounce Wide Mouth Bottle and Takeya’s 40-ounce Thermoflask, which is especially great because it keeps water cold for hours. That way, I know I only have to drink two to three bottles while I’m at work, and I’ve met my water goal for the day.
“Three bottles is much less daunting than eight or nine bottles.”
9. Make a routine
Just like you make a routine for other important things, you ought to make one for drinking water too.
In order to get an idea, see how Cooking Light Diet community member Debra Smith schedules her water intake every day.
Debra says: “I drink an 8-ounce glass of water first thing in the morning.
“At work, I fill my 24-ounce sport bottle twice—once in the morning and again after lunch. I sip throughout the day, so I’ve had at least 56 ounces by the end of the workday.
“I have another glass with dinner. For me, it was just establishing a routine and it became habit.”
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