Physical Health and Wellbeing Food and Diet

How To Drink More Water If You Struggle To Drink Enough

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Do you struggle to drink enough water? Maybe you get distracted and forget to drink, or you just don’t like the taste of water? You are not alone!

Personally, I usually manage to drink enough water. I am very sensitive to when I am thirsty and I automatically go and get a drink. The only time I’m not so good at drinking enough water is when I am out. I get distracted by other things and I don’t notice my thirst so much.

I have heard so many people say that they struggle to drink enough water, so it seems to be a common problem. Most people say it’s because they forget to drink! If you are one of those people, this post is for you. I hope it will be helpful and give you some ideas for how to drink more water.

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How To Drink Enough Water Every Day

Why Drink More Water?

Most of us know that it’s healthy to drink lots of water, but what are the actual benefits? Here are just a few of them:

I hope these health benefits will convince you that it is a good idea to increase your water intake, even if it is a struggle! Read on to find out how.

How To Drink More Water When You Struggle To Drink Enough

Build new habits by setting designated times to drink

One of the most effective ways to drink more water is to build some new habits throughout your day. I suggest deciding on particular times of day when you will always have a drink. For example, when you first get up in the morning, after meals, after exercise and whenever you get in your car to go home (if the journey is not too long!) Obviously, you can drink spontaneously at other times of day as well, but these set times will give you a foundation.

Write yourself a ‘drinking timetable’ and challenge yourself to stick to it for a week. You can write reminders on post-its and stick them around the house, in your car, or anywhere that will help you remember to drink water at the designated times. After a while, you will build a routine and it will feel natural to drink at those times.

Try IV hydration

In some cases, especially during periods of increased physical activity or when facing challenges in maintaining adequate hydration levels, alternative methods such as intravenous (IV) hydration can provide a valuable solution. People today seek support from an IV clinic in Palo Alto or any other needed location to ensure their body receives the necessary fluids and electrolytes, promoting optimal hydration and overall well-being. Establishing a balance between routine water intake and alternative hydration methods can contribute to a comprehensive approach to preventing dehydration and maintaining good health.

A woman working on her laptop and drinking a glass of water.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Use an app to track your water intake

There are many different apps where you can measure how much you drink, set targets and get reminders. Just search ‘drink water’ in the app store or play store and many apps come up. I haven’t personally used an app for this purpose but I think it would be a really helpful way to track and increase your water intake.

Make your water taste nice

If you don’t like the taste of plain water, or you find it boring, here are some ways to make it taste nicer while still getting the hydrating effects:

  • Drink squash or cordial. I recommend finding one that is free from sugar and unhealthy artificial additives so that it remains a healthy way to get your water intake.
  • Drink herbal or fruit teas. These are especially great in the winter when you’d rather have a hot drink instead of drinking cold water. Caffeinated tea or coffee will work too, but they are not quite as effective because caffeine has a slight dehydrating effect.
  • Add a slice of citrus fruit to your water. A slice of lemon or lime is really healthy for you and will make your water taste extra refreshing. If you prefer a sweeter and less acidic taste, you can add a slice of orange.

Keep a water bottle with you at all times

Whenever you go out, make it a habit to pack a water bottle in your bag. You never know when you will get an opportunity to drink, so it’s good to have water with you.

It’s helpful to keep a water bottle with you even when you are at home, for example, if you are working at your computer. If you have water on hand, you are more likely to drink. You can take regular sips and you won’t have to keep going to the kitchen to get a glass of water, which can be distracting and feel like a lot of effort sometimes. The bigger the water bottle, the better because it won’t need refilling so often.

A person filling up a black water bottle from a kitchen tap.
Photo by Bluewater Globe on Unsplash

Prepare a flask of hot water before bed

I always feel really thirsty when I first wake up, so I like to have a drink of water. However, cold water makes me feel a bit sick in the morning, and I find hot water much more palatable. Therefore I fill a flask with hot water before I go to bed, and take it up to my bedroom. This way, I can have a hot drink as soon as I get up, without even having to go down to the kitchen. It also means I can easily have a drink if I wake up thirsty during the night.

I usually fill my flask with about 2/3 hot and 1/3 cold water, so that it is a drinkable temperature. Of course, you can just have cold water if you prefer.

Invest in bigger drinking glasses and mugs

A really simple way to increase your water intake is to buy larger glasses and mugs. That way, when you do have a drink you will automatically get more. You don’t have to replace your entire glassware set – you could just get one or two large glasses or mugs to be your new favourites.

Eat more watery foods

Did you know that we get approximately 20% of our water intake from the food we eat? Therefore, a way to increase your water intake is to opt for ‘watery’ foods more frequently. These include soups, stews, salads and fruit. One of the most watery foods is watermelon, which makes a great, hydrating snack.

A woman holding a slice of watermelon which she has taken a bite out of.
Photo by Filip Baotić on Unsplash

Time your drinks so you don’t need the toilet at inappropriate times

If you are going for a long walk, going to the cinema or you have a long meeting, it’s understandable that you won’t want to drink much beforehand in case you need the toilet. It won’t do you any harm to sometimes deliberately dehydrate yourself in this way. However, it’s a good idea to make sure you drink plenty of water after the long event is finished, to replenish your fluids.

Do you need to drink more water?

Do you drink enough water throughout the day, or do you struggle to stay hydrated? Have you tried any of the tips in this post? Let me know in the comments!

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How To Drink More Water If You Struggle To Drink Enough

8 Comments

  1. Thanks for the tips and information. I really enjoyed your article.

    1. Sophie says:

      You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed the article!

  2. These are great suggestions! I don’t drink enough water, but I’ve been carrying a water bottle with me so I’m more likely to drink that than something else & I also had a fruit infuser water bottle & I loved it so I definitely need to buy a new one!

    1. Sophie says:

      It’s great that you carry a water bottle with you so that you’re more likely to drink more water. I’ve never tried a fruit infuser bottle before but I’d really like to!

  3. I’m really lucky because I don’t really like fizzy drinks. If I don’t drink enough water, my body tells me immediately

    Rosie

    1. Sophie says:

      I don’t really like fizzy drinks either – I pretty much only drink water and herbal tea! I’m also very sensitive to when I need to drink water, and it sometimes surprises me how people can go for hours without drinking anything! x

  4. These suggestions rock and honestly I need to follow them. I do not drink enough water by any means. I am aware of it, but still can’t figure out how to break that habit. Hydrating can be so beneficial for your body, weight management, and so many other functions. This post reminded me of how much more water I need to drink and I am going to work on it!

    1. Sophie says:

      I guess the hardest part is building the habit! I’m so glad that this post is helpful for you!

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