Dehydration is more common than you may think because hydration doesn’t get emphasized enough when it comes to overall health and well-being!

In this blog post, I’ll share 7 of the best tips I have personally witnessed work well for others who struggle to stay hydrated each day.

Tip #1: Set a Daily Goal

Setting a daily goal can give you a benchmark to monitor your progress and help you stay on track with a specific amount that helps you stay hydrated.

You may be wondering how much you should be drinking in the first place as well. While it is common to hear “Drink 8 glasses of water per day” and this can be a great starting point, hydration is also not one-size-fits-all!

Because there are so many factors such as age, height/weight, activity level, environment, and more that influence individual needs, set a personalized yet realistic goal based on where you’re at that encourages gradual and sustainable progress towards meeting your body’s unique requirements.

Tip #2: Use a Reusable Water Bottle:

Investing in a reusable water bottle has many perks such as convenience, environmentally friendly, cost-friendly (not having to buy plastic water bottles), or just something fun for you to have.

Prioritize carrying a water bottle with you where you go to make staying hydrated effortlessly accessible—whether you're at work, the gym, or running errands!

Tip #3: Use a Straw

Building off of having a reusable water bottle, get one that has a straw, or get straws you can add to what you already use to drink water!

Using a straw may seem trivial, but it can actually increase your water intake in each sip you take.

Tip #4: Infuse Your Water with Flavor + Find the Temperature You Enjoy

Plain water can be unappealing for some, but adding natural flavors like citrus fruits, cucumber slices, or herbs like mint can make hydration more enjoyable!

Here are some fun combinations you can try:

• Strawberry + Lemon

• Cucumber + Lemon + Mint

• Watermelon + Basil

• Cherry + Lime

Bonus tip: Figure out what temperature you prefer to drink your water at such as ice cold, room temperature, or warm/hot (especially in colder months this may be preferred).

Tip #5: Create a Routine

Establishing a routine or schedule helps maintain consistent hydration levels. Whether it's having a glass of water after every meal or setting daily reminders on your phone to check in with water consumption, creating a routine that works for you can help you establish lifelong habits with water.

Apps or journals can also be useful tools (but not necessary) for tracking your daily water consumption, helping you build patterns, and staying on top of your hydration game!

Tip #6: Incorporate Water-Rich Foods

Hydration doesn’t just have to come from what you drink, it can also come from what you eat.

Fruits such as watermelon, strawberries, melons, oranges, and vegetables such as cucumbers, bell peppers, and celery, can be excellent water sources! Including these water-rich foods in your weekly routine adds an extra layer of hydration.

Tip #7: Make Hydration a Habit and Practice Body Respect

Body respect is taking care of your body’s physical, mental, and emotional needs from a place of self-care over self-deprivation.

Make hydration a non-negotiable part of your body respect routine. Whether it's sipping water first thing in the morning or before bedtime, forming habits around hydration ensures you're consistently meeting your body's needs.

In conclusion

Staying properly hydrated is vital for your overall health and well-being!

By setting personalized goals, using reusable water bottles, infusing your water with flavor and using a straw, creating a routine, incorporating water-rich foods, and making hydration a habit, you can easily stay hydrated and energized every day.

Let's raise a glass to keep ourselves hydrated!