Staying hydrated is harder than it may seem to be for most people. I mean first of all its kind of a drag to drink water when you can have a more tasty beverage like a soda or juice. But staying hydrated is so crucial to optimal health it needs to be made a main daily priority.
But first of all, what exactly does it mean to stay hydrated? Well everyone is different when it comes to water intake, the general rule is to drink half of your body weight in ounces and for every pound you lose in body weight for exercising you should drink that much in ounces on top of that.
Luckily there are great methods to stay hydrated, which below we delve into them so that you can utilize them starting today to keep yourself hydrated!
How To Stay Hydrated With These Methods
Water Rich Veggies
Eat vegetables in your meals that have rich water content, like apples and cucumbers. This is another great way to increase the amount of water intake and do so while eating fiberous foods that are good for your digestive system!
Water Enhancers
Picking up a couple of your favorite flavored water enhancers can be a cheap way to make your water taste better and not have to resort to a soda. Try keeping a water enhancer on you or in your car so you can use it through out the day, but remember to get a water bottle that is BPA free to keep from getting plastic carcenogens in your water!
Get The Gallon
Carrying around a gallon of water a day may seem like a drag but its no doubt a great reminder to stay hydrated. You can take it to the office and stay hydrated at work or nurse it on the way if you have a long drive!
Camelback
If you are going to be outside for a hike or a long run, wearing a camelback or something similar can be a great way to get water intake though out the workout. If you don’t care what people think then sport that thing all day and sip your little heart away!
Water Alarms
Setting alarms on our phones is super simple, which you can do so for reminding you to drink your water. Set an alarm for every couple hours where you can drink 8-16 ounces at a time. Not only will this let you become more hydrated, it will allow you to do so at a steady pace which is better for you.
Post-It Notes
Places post-it notes strategically though out your house and even in your car can be great little ways to remind you to drink more water. You can even make funny notes about it to keep you entertained and annoyed enough by them to adhere to these premeditated notes!
Juice/Water Popsicles
Face it, who doesn’t love popsicles?! Now they can be one of your ways to stay hydrated daily! If you like to snack and want a healthy snack that allows you to up your water intake grab a couple boxes of naturally flavored popsicles at your local grocery store.
Or instead of buying them at the store which can often be filled with sugar, make your own by pureeing fruit and/or vegetables. There is also the option of using fruit juice and maybe even adding bite sized pieces of fresh fruit for added texture.
Have a Bowl of Soup
Soups and stews are both delicious sources of hydration. Not only is the broth very hydrating but stews and soups often contain vegetables with a high water content.
Drink Smoothies
Smoothies are a flavorful and delicious ways to get your water intake. Anything can be added to them and they are amazingly fruity and filled with nutrients. Best part is, you can prepare smoothies ahead of time, freeze them and thaw when needed.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks not only have a nice taste to them but are a good source of water and electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential because they help keep the nerves and brain functioning properly. Just be to choose those with a lower sugar content.
Meat and Poultry
Surprisingly meats and poultry such as chicken and beef are good sources of water. In fact they can contain as much as 65%. What a great excuse to enjoy a steak or a chicken breast.
Drink a Glass of Water with Every Meal
Water is the best way to rehydrate your body. Enjoying a glass with every meal not only replenishes the body but helps to control eating. It also helps to stay fuller longer.
Turn to Coconut Water
Coconut water is an excellent source of hydration. It really satisfies thirst and helps to ward off dehydration. It is also a great option for those that want a drink with a little more taste than plain H2O.
Eat a Banana
Bananas contain magnesium which helps helps to regulate the fluids in the body. As a result you stay happy and hydrated.
Enjoy Soaked Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have the wonderful ability to drink ten times their weight in water. For this reason, soak them in water before you eat them to turn these seeds into a hydrating snack. They can be used in smoothies, desserts, sprinkled over yogurt and more.
Conclusion To How To Stay Hydrated
When it comes to excuses for not drinking more water, don’t fall victim to them. The most used excuse for not consuming more water is that people don’t “feel” like they need water. Your body can adapt to pretty much anything, including being dehydrated. So just because you don’t feel thirsty doesn’t mean you are completely hydrated, it just means that you’ve lived that way long enough for your body to function without the right amount of water.
If you utilize one or all of these methods you will allow your body to learn how to stay hydrated and reap the benefits of staying hyrdated all while creating a habit out of it so you will do it more without having to consciously think about getting enough water!
