9 Tips for Drinking More Water

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I have a confession to make: I’m a water snob.

There was a time in my life when I refused to drink water at all, and I had a plethora of reasons: this water tasted like metal, that cup smelled like dishwashing detergent and made my water taste funny, this water had floaties, that water wasn’t cold enough….

You get the idea.

I like to think I’ve matured a little bit in my adult years, and I no longer turn my nose up quite so high, but I do still find it hard to take in the amount of water I need for optimal hydration. I know I’m not the only one.

The importance of drinking enough water seems to be universally understood–but universally ignored.

My theory is that drinking water just isn’t as exciting or pleasurable as drinking a high-calorie, sugar-laden drink. Trust me, I get it. While I can’t promise to make water as near and dear to your heart as that Diet Coke over there, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve for the recovering water snobs among us. These are the tips for drinking more water that I try to practice every day:

  1. Flavor your water with fruit juice. Water with a splash of lemon juice (fresh or bottled) is my favorite, but you can experiment with whatever bottled juice you happen to have on hand. If you have a hard time drinking water because you dislike the taste, try going for a 1:1 ratio of juice to water, then decrease the amount of juice over time.
  2. Infuse your water with fresh fruits or veggies. A quick internet search for “infused water” will pull up pages of images of beautiful water pitchers filled with melons, berries, citrus fruits, cucumbers, herbs, and even edible flowers. Find a combination that sounds appetizing, and try using a mason jar for a similar effect.
  3. Get fancy with your ice cubes. If you’re the type who prefers to plan ahead, you might enjoy freezing fruit into ice cubes to pull out when you’re ready to use them. The effect is the same as the infused water, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are proactive and efficient with your time. Gold star for you, Mama!
  4. Drink from a transparent bottle or cup. When you can see that your water level is still pretty high, you’ll be more likely to remember to drink. I also tend to drink more when I’m using larger bottles or cups because I don’t have to refill them as often. (It sounds pathetically lazy to admit that I have a problem walking across the room to refill my water bottle, doesn’t it? Please tell me I’m not the only one with some serious First World Problems going on here.)
  5. Drink from a straw. My grandma used to keep a stock of straws in her kitchen that I loved using as a kid, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Now I rarely drink without one. Only recently did I find out that drinking with a straw actually encourages hydration! When you drink from a cup, you take in both water and air. Drinking from a straw creates a vacuum, so you’re taking in a lot less air–meaning you drink more with every sip.
  6. Drink water alongside other beverages. When you pour your morning coffee, pour a morning water as well and alternate sips. If you eat out, you can order water exclusively (and it’s free!), or you can order a water with your regular drink and alternate sips there, too. Don’t worry, your server won’t bat an eye!
  7. Try the 10-Sip Rule. Every time you pick up your drink, take 10 sips before putting it back down. After doing this for a few days, it became such a habit for me that I started counting in my head without even thinking about it. This tip alone has helped me drink more water than anything else, and it’s so simple to do!
  8. Create a reminder on your phone. Especially if you’re always on the go, a reminder on your phone or fitness band is a fantastic way to remember to stop and have a glass of water. Pause whatever you’re doing and take a few minutes for yourself as you drink. You’re worth it.
  9. Eat foods with high water content. Surprise! You can get more water by eating, too! Many raw fruits and vegetables are fairly high in water content, especially watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, cantaloupe, and peaches. Munching away on foods like these will help you stay hydrated.

The next step on my Hydration Journey (I’m calling it that to sound more official) is to try a 30-Day water challenge: I’ll be drinking nothing but water for 30 days to see how it affects my body and mood, and I’ll be sure to report back!

Do you have any amazing tips for drinking more water? Share them in the comments–I’ll take all the help I can get.

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