Summer time is in full swing, and there’s never a better time to talk about hydration! In today’s blog, we’ll be sharing 5 fun ways to increase your water intake. We all know about the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated, but it can be hard to prioritize it each day. At Makeena, we’re dedicated to helping consumers (and of course our shoppers, and the rest of the world!) live healthier, happier lives – and hydration is a big part of that goal!
Why Drink Water?
There are so many reasons why we need to drink water. Hydration is key for regulating your body temperature, lubricating your joints, delivering nutrients to your cells, and keeping your organs functioning properly. Drinking enough water is even more crucial during the hot, summer months. Each year roughly half a million people in the United States end up in the hospital, primarily due to dehydration – and 2% of them die right there, at the hospital.
So, how much water do we really need? Generally, health experts recommend the “8×8 rule.” That means eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, which is the equivalent of 2 liters. In the US, we’re falling way behind on that benchmark. A whopping 75% of us are chronically dehydrated. Together, we can change that.
Benefits of Being Well-Hydrated
But, it doesn’t start and end with simply satisfying that required fluid intake. There are so many benefits of being well hydrated! By increasing your water intake, you’ll likely experience better digestion, improved brain performance, more energy, and even healthier skin. It’s such a simple change for a multitude of benefits!
Routinize your Water Drinking Habits
Let’s face it – it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. Luckily, routinizing your water drinking habits is a great way to make drinking water seem like second nature. Well, what does that mean?
You wouldn’t leave your house without brushing your teeth or taking a quick glance in the mirror, right? So, choose a part of your morning or night routine to associate with drinking 2 glasses of water. Taking your morning medication, vitamins, or supplements? Water time! Washing your face? Fill up your glass. Taking a shower? Not so fast – drink your water first.
Routinizing your water drinking habits is a surefire way to introduce your mind and body to the practice of increasing your water intake. And soon enough, you won’t even have to think about it being a part of your daily routine. Experts say that it takes an average of 66 days for a habit to become truly automatic, so start today! A little over two months for a lifetime of benefits? We’re on board with that!
Get the Right Tools
Investing in a quality, reusable water bottle can certainly help you jumpstart your journey toward increasing your water consumption. This is an investment in your health, and the planet because a reusable water bottle reduces your carbon footprint, as well as the plastic burden on our landfills, oceans, and streams.
We especially love reusable water bottles with time stamps. These water bottles include timestamps on the side to show you exactly how much water you should be drinking for each hour of the day. It’s a great way to track your progress and stay motivated to increase your water intake! We’re recommending this 64oz time marked water bottle. It even includes a straw cleaner and a convenient strap to carry it around. If you’re going for a hike, taking it to the office, or walking from class to class, you can transport it with ease and even clip on important items like your keys.
The “Add, Not Subtract” Rule
This is one of our favorite tips. At Makeena, we fully believe in the importance of listening to your body and its cravings. By practicing intuitive eating and drinking habits, you can actually increase your water intake simultaneously.
Here’s how it works. What’s your favorite beverage? Maybe it’s a soda, a spiked seltzer, a latte, or even a milkshake. Each time you drink a “fun” beverage, pair it with a glass of water. This way, you can enjoy your favorite treats without any guilt and ensure that you’re drinking enough water.
Also note the importance of hydration when consuming alcoholic beverages, which are diuretics that can dehydrate you. For a night out, try having at least one 16-ounce glass of water with every 12-ounce beer or 4 to 6 ounces of liquor. And don’t forget about coffee! Coffee is also a diuretic, so make sure that you’re pairing your morning cup of joe with a fresh glass of water to start your day off right.
Spice Up Your Water
When in doubt, try water flavor enhancers! They’re completely healthy to consume in moderation and can be a wonderful way to spice up your regular glasses of water. Check out Waterdrop. Their products help refine your water with fruit and plant extracts to help you drink more. Their cubes are portable and easy to use on-the-go, and they come in a variety of flavors like LOVE featuring pomegranate, goji berry, and acerola and BOOST with peach, ginger, ginseng, and aloe vera.
Waterdrop also has a Sports Collection. Their NERO flavor contains vitamins C, B6, B12, and natural caffeine and the SHIRO flavor is a great source of vitamins C, Niacin, and Pantothenic Acid. They’re perfect as a pre-workout boost or to replenish after your sweat sesh.
Turn to Technology
Did you know that your smartphone can be a useful tool to help increase your water intake? There are so many great apps dedicated to helping you do just that. Drink Water Reminder is one of our favorites. Not only does it motivate you with routine notifications and tally your water intake, it also takes in information about the climate you live in to customize your goals and user experience.
We also love Plant Nanny. This app makes drinking water fun! By logging your water intake, you’re taking care of adorable virtual plants. Didn’t hit your water goal for the day? You bet that your little plant will suffer the consequence. And if you’re really hitting your stride, you might even be rewarded with a beautiful forest on your screen. This is a fun and interactive way to stay hydrated. Now your body and your virtual buddy will depend on you increasing your water intake!
Thanks for reading our 5 fun ways to increase your water intake! You’ve already taken the first step in improving your hydration, health and your life and, with these tips, it’s easy and fun to get started. Together, we can build healthy habits even with our busy lifestyles and schedules. Try out these tricks and let us know which one you like best. Don’t forget to share with your friends and family to spread the word about the importance of hydration! Let’s improve our lives, one sip at a time.
