How to Drink More Water

Drink More Water 

21 Benefits of Drinking More Water

36 Easy Ways to Drink More Water 

Further Exploration – Articles & Media

Your Take – Comments

Drink More Water

Water, the colourless, near tasteless liquid made up of 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen atoms, i.e. H₂O. It makes up 60% of our bodies and is vital to our survival. There are very few things we can live without and water is at the top of that list. The amount of water and fluid we take in has a large bearing on our wellbeing. Dehydration can affect us both physically and mentally so drinking the correct amount of water can be both highly beneficial and essential.

21 benefits or drinking more water and 36 easy ways to drink more water below.

Glass with "hey, drink more water" written on it -Drink More Water - how to drink more water
“Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load and improve the function of all your tissues.”
Kevin R. Stone

21 Benefits of Drinking More Water

woman smiling drinking a glass of water - Benefits of Drinking More Water - How to drink more water

It doesn’t get more natural than water, it’s refreshing and keeps us hydrated. It also has a number of surprising (and unsurprising) benefits, these can include;

  1. Can Aid Weight Loss
  2. Enhance & Sustain Physical Performance
  3. Helps Builds Cells
  4. Prevents Constipation
  5. Helps Combat Fatigue
  6. Regulates Body Temperature
  7. Flushes Out / Remove Toxins from the Body 
  8. Helps to Produce Saliva & Mucus
  9. Lubricates Joints
  10. Helps Concentration and Focus
  11. Acts a Cushion to Vital Organs (e.g. the Brain)
  12. Improves Skin
  13. Improves Hair
  14. Helps Memory & Mood
  15. Helps Prevent Hangovers
  16. Delivers Oxygen & Nutrients to the Body through Blood
  17. Helps Maintain Blood Pressure
  18. Helps Blood Circulation
  19. Aids Digestion
  20. May Support the Urinary System and Prevent Kidney Stones
  21. Prevents disease
Further information in the further exploration section including articles with links to multiple scientific studies.
“I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man.”
Henry David Thoreau

36 Easy Ways to Drink More Water

man drinking a bottle of water - Easy ways to drink more water - how to drink more water

Keeping hydrated and drinking enough water can be simple. 35 ways below including how much we need, when to water to drink more water and things to do to drink more water. More in the further exploration sections.

How Much Water Do You Need

man pouring a glass of water - How much water to drink - how to drink more water

  1. Understand How Much You Need:
    • The UK NHS advises 6 – 8 cups or glasses of fluids per day (link here)
    • The US points to The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine which states, “3.7 liters for adult men and 2.7 liters for adult women per day covers the expected needs of healthy, sedentary people in temperate climates.” (link here)
    • Health Link British Columbia (Canada) states “A common recommendation is to drink six or eight 250 mL (8 fl oz) glasses of water or other fluid every day. But some adults may need more or less, depending on how healthy they are, how much they exercise, and how hot and dry the climate is.” (link here)
    •  Health Direct Australia advises, “As a general rule, men need about 10 cups of fluids every day and women need about 8 cups (add another cup a day if you are pregnant or breastfeeding). Babies need 0.7 to 0.8 litres of fluid a day from breast milk or formula, while children need between 4 cups (for 1-year-olds) and 6 to 8 cups a day (for teenagers). In Australia, 1 cup is equivalent to 250ml.” (link here)

When To Drink Water to Drink More Water

Couple drinking water with a meal - When to drink water to drink more water - how to drink more water

  1. Have a Glass with Every Meal: Simple. Eating? Have a glass of water with your meal.
  2. Take a Glass to Bed: Drink it before you go to sleep and/or when you wake up in the morning. Drinking water before sleep can lead to needing to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of night so bear that in mind,
  3. Drink Water in Between Other Drinks: Particularly alcohol (to keep you hydrated). Can also be done with other drinks, e.g. sodas and tea or coffee
  4. Drink Water While Making Tea or Coffee: When you put the kettle have a drink of water while you’re waiting for it boil.
  5. Drink Water During Workouts: Take a water bottle and re-hydrate as you exercise.
  6. Drink regularly Throughout the Day: Don’t try to drink all of your daily intake in one go. It may make it unpleasant and feel like more of a chore. Keep water nearby and take sips throughout the day.
  7. Build it Into Daily Routines: Whether it’s after every time you go to the bathroom or just before you leave the house, include drinking water as part of your daily routine.

Things to do to Drink More Water

Person drinking water though a straw - Ways to drink more water - how to drink more water

  1. Drink Through a Straw: It makes you take more in, is more accessible and more fun!
  2. Use a Measured Water Bottle or Glass: So you can physically see how much you are drinking. 
  3. Use a Measured Water Bottle or Glass: So you can physically see how much you are taking in. 
  4. Get a Digital Waterbottle: Yes, they exist and can track your water consumption. Try this one here that glows when it is time to drink (this is an affiliate link)
  5. Dilute with Squash or Cordial: Add a bit of taste. Just take note of the sugar content you are adding.
  6. Water Reminder Apps: An app like “Water Reminder – Drink Water” can help with keeping you on track to drink you daily amount.
  7. Or Just Set A Reminder: Smartphones or just an old school alarm will help.
  8. Use a Jug: Have a large jug filled with water ready for whenever you need a glass.
  9. Chill Water: Keep a jug in the fridge so it’s cool and refreshing.
  10. Get a Cool Waterbottle: One that you will want to take everywhere with you.
  11. Carry a Water Bottle With You: Simple, just having a water bottle with you vastly increases your chances of upping your water intake.
  12. Mark The Water Bottle: To show where you should be at any given time of the day.
  13. Put Rubber Bands Around the Bottle: And remove one every time you’ve drunk a bottle.
  14. Add Ice to Drinks: Ice = Water. Adding ice will naturally increase your water intake. 
  15. Challenge or Wager with Your Friends, Colleagues or Kids: Make it a fun challenge to get your daily amount.
  16. Keep a Diary: Keep a water diary to track your intake and…
  17. Set Goals:  To keep an eye that you are hitting the daily amount you are looking and… 
  18. Reward Yourself: When you hit your goals
  19. Keep Water in Your Car: Pro-actively keep hydrated and you never know when you may get stuck and need it.
  20. Keep Water at Work: Keep hydrated throughout your working day.
  21. Refill Your Water Once Done: Keeping a constant supply will mean a continual intake
  22. Add a Slice of Fruit: A bit of flavour with a healthy snack.
  23. Make Soup: It’s very high in water content.
  24. Make Ice Lollies: Frozen water with a flavour. What more could you ask for.
  25. Eat Spicy or Salty Foods (and Have a Glass of Water Nearby): You’ll want to reach for that water.
  26. Get a Water Filter: Some people prefer the taste of filtered water. Give it a try.
  27. Eat Food High in Water Content: Many fruits and vegetables have high water content (e.g. cucumber or celery).
  28. Try Fruit Teas: High in water and tasty.
  29. Replace Other Drinks with Water: Whether it be soda, tea, coffee or alcohol, try replacing them water.
*** Seek medical attention if you feel you have an issue with hydration and not taking in enough fluid***

Further Exploration - Articles & Media

NHS logo

Article: The Importance of Hydration

The UK National Health Service article about the importance of hydration including; the essential functions is water involved in, how much water we need to drink to keep our bodies hydrated, the signs and symptoms of dehydration, top tips for keeping yourself hydrated and resources.

usgs logo

Article: The Water in You: Water and the Human Body

Article from The United State Geological Survey (USGS) providing a number of facts about water and the human body and discussing how water serves a number of essential functions to keep us all going (including being a vital nutrient and regulating our internal body temperature).

Your Body's Many Cries for Water: You're Not Sick; You're Thirsty: Don't Treat Thirst with Medications by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. - Physical wellbeing books

Book: Your Body's Many Cries for Water: You're Not Sick; You're Thirsty: Don't Treat Thirst with Medications

Book from F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. explaining how Unintentional Chronic Dehydration (UCD) produces stress, chronic pains & many painful degenerational diseases and by simply adjusting your water intake it can help you to live a healthier, pain-free life.
***This is one of the few affiliate links on Peaceful Soul***

Healthline Logo

Article: 7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

Healthline article discussing health benefits of drinking water with evidence from multiple scientific studies to substantiate the benefits. Benefits include the significant affects drinking water has on our energy levels and brain function

Cooking Light Logo

Article: 9 Easy Ways to Drink More Water

9 Easy ways to drink more water from Cooking Light including establishing a routine, buying different water bottles and using rubber bands.

Article: Here's What Happened When I Drank More Water for 30 Days

Article from Clay Abnay on Eating Well discussing what happened when he consumed more water for 30 days including an increase in metabolism and slowing down the ageing process.

reddit logo

Forum: How to make myself drink more water

Reddit post with approx. 50 comments suggesting how to may yourself drink more water including drinking flavored water and just chugging it.

Lavendaire Youtube Channel

Video: 10 Ways to Drink More Water 💦

10 ways to drink more water from the Lavendaire Youtube channel. Suggestions include buying a pretty water bottle and using the hair tie trick.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Logo

Article: Water and Healthier Drinks

Article from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looking at water and nutrition, tips to drink more water, healthier drink options and other beverages.

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