Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Drinking Enough Water?
You probably already know that it’s important to drink enough water. A minimum of eight glasses of water a day is recommended. You should aim for more if it is really hot, or you are working out and sweating a lot.
Getting enough water in your body will prevent you from getting dehydrated. According to WEBMD the early signs of dehydration are increased thirst, dry mouth, sticky saliva and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine. You may also experience a lack of energy and a headache. None of these sound very fun. I know it is hard sometimes to drink that much water; especially when sodas and coffee tempt us. However, to stay healthy and feel great, we should strive to drink those eight glasses of water a day. Here are a few tips to help you remember to drink the water, and to make it a little more pleasant or interesting.
1. Keep a Log
This can be as simple as a little piece of paper on the fridge, or a page in your day planner. Just make a little checkmark, or dash on the piece of paper every time you drink a glass of water. The log will help you keep track of how much water you have had in any given day. You’ll also be surprised how motivating it is to try to get those eight little checkmarks on there every day. Another idea would be to use little stickers instead.
2. Add Some Lemon Juice
I tend to get bored with drinking just water after a few days. Change things up and add a little flavor by adding a teaspoon or less of lemon to your water. You can also try some other fruit juices. Just make sure you are still drinking mainly water. Just a splash of juice should be enough to make things interesting and give the water some flavor without adding a lot of sugar and calories.
3. Try Some Club Soda
If you are craving the fizz of a soda, try some Club Soda. Most brands have a little too much fizz for me. I end up watering them down with – guess what – water. If you want to get really fancy, check your local grocery store for flavored club sodas. Alternatively, you can also add a splash of fruit juice to your watered down club soda.
4. Drink Some Water When You Feel Hungry
Unfortunately many of us have gotten so out of tune with our bodies that we feel hungry when we are actually thirsty. If you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first. You may just be thirsty.
5. Carry A Water Bottle
It’s much easier to drink water when you have it readily available. Carry a bottle of water around with you in the car, at work, while running errands, in the yard, and even while you are working around the house. You’ll be sipping away the water without even noticing it.
6. Drink More If You Are Working Out…
We already touched on this, but it bears repeating. Make sure you drink a few extra glasses of water if you work out, or if you spend some time outside while it’s hot. Your body uses and needs more water when it sweats a lot. So don’t forget to fill back up on water during and after your exercise.
Just pay attention to how much you drink and implement some of these ideas if you don’t get the recommended eight glasses of water a day. Your body will thank you for it in the long run.
What are the health benefits of drinking enough water daily?
As we all know, water is essential to the human body. It helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints, aids digestion, and carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Despite its importance, many people still do not consume enough water to maintain good health. In this article, we will explore the importance of drinking enough water and provide helpful tips on how to increase your daily water intake.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water intake recommendation is different for each individual, which is affected by age, gender, weight, and level of physical activity. However, a general rule is to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. But how do we know if we are drinking enough water? One way to tell is to pay attention to the color of your urine. If it is a pale yellow, it indicates that you are getting enough fluids. If it is darker, then it may be a sign that you need to drink more water.
Dehydration is a serious issue caused by not drinking enough water, which can lead to various health problems such as kidney stones, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and even heat stroke. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that we are drinking enough water to maintain good health.
Here are some tips for increasing your daily water intake:
1. Carry a water bottle with you at all times: This will remind you to drink water throughout the day and make it more accessible.
2. Drink water with meals: Drinking water before, during, and after meals can also help increase your water intake and aid digestion.
3. Set reminders: Setting a reminder on your phone or computer to drink water every hour can help ensure that you are drinking enough throughout the day.
4. Drink more water during hot weather: During hot weather or when exercising, it is recommended to drink more water than usual to replace fluids lost through sweating.
5. Flavor your water: Adding lemon, lime, or cucumber to your water can make it more enjoyable to drink and encourage you to drink more.
In conclusion, drinking enough water is crucial to our overall health and well-being. By following the tips above, we can increase our daily water intake and ensure that our bodies are properly hydrated. It’s always good to consult a doctor or a nutritionist if you have any concerns or specific requirements regarding your daily water intake. Remember, stay hydrated, stay healthy!