Do you often need to remember to drink enough water throughout the day?
Staying adequately hydrated is crucial for our overall health and well-being, yet it can be easy to overlook our daily water intake.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone in this struggle!
Like many of you, I struggled with remembering to drink enough water. But I’ve turned this weakness into a strength, and I’m here to share how you can do the same.
In this blog post, I’ll share 10 simple and practical strategies that have helped me remember to drink more water consistently.
These are not just theoretical tips but real-life solutions that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.
Utilizing some of these tips is what helped me improve my water intake.
1. Set Reminders on Your Phone
Utilize the technology at your fingertips by setting reminders on your phone to drink water.
Like creating reminders to complete tasks as work, you can set reminders to complete tasks important for your body.
You can schedule these reminders regularly throughout the day to prompt you to take a water break and hydrate yourself.
It’s a simple yet effective way to stay mindful of water consumption.
If you aren’t keen on creating reminders for yourself, consider getting help from apps.
2. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
Invest in a good-quality reusable water bottle you can take wherever you go.
Having a water bottle in front of you is a visual cue to drink water regularly.
Plus, it’s environmentally friendly and helps you avoid the temptation of sugary beverages.
The Stanley Cup water bottles, which rapidly rose in popularity, are reusable water bottles to consider. They are great because they are made to keep liquids at a specific temperature for long periods.
They are my favorite type of water bottle because I prefer my water cold, not at room temperature.
If you don’t like the designs of Stanley cups, don’t worry—many different types of water bottles are available on the market.
Even water bottles with motivational messages help you track your water intake throughout the day.
3. Flavor Your Water
If you find plain water too boring, infuse it with natural flavors like slices of fruits (e.g., lemon, cucumber, berries) or herbs (e.g., mint, basil).
You can also consider buying water enhancers to add to your water. If you don’t want to include artificial sweeteners in your diet, beware of specific water enhancers that contain them.
Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor.
This can make drinking water more enjoyable and encourage you to reach for your water bottle more often.
4. Use a Water Tracking App
Numerous apps are available that can help you track your daily water intake.
These apps allow you to set water consumption goals, log your drinks, and send reminders to drink water throughout the day.
If you use an app to track your food intake, such as MyFitnessPal, you may also find a water tracker already incorporated into the app.
Since you are already tracking your food in the app, it is easy to track your water intake in the same app.
You can develop a more consistent hydration routine by monitoring your water intake.
5. Drink a Glass of Water Before Each Meal
Make it a habit to drink a full glass of water before each meal.
Not only does this help you stay hydrated, but it can also aid digestion and prevent overeating.
By incorporating water into your mealtime routine, you’ll be well to meet your daily hydration goals.
Remembering to drink water before each meal is also easier. Enough practice will make it second nature.
6. Create a Water Drinking Schedule
Establishing a water drinking schedule can be a game-changer when remembering to drink more water.
Whether you prefer to drink water at set times during the day or align it with specific activities (e.g., after exercising or before meals), having a plan in place can keep you on track.
For example, I like to drink water during meals or snacking. I have discovered that, compared to other times, I consume a significant portion of my daily water intake during these times.
7. Use Markings on Your Water Bottle
If you struggle to gauge how much water you’ve consumed throughout the day, consider marking your water bottle as a visual indicator.
As discussed earlier, many water bottles have time markings to help you track your progress throughout the day.
You can also create your own with a permanent marker. This will make it easy to monitor your progress and ensure you’re hitting your hydration targets.
8. Pair Water with Daily Habits
Linking drinking water with existing daily habits can help integrate it seamlessly into your routine.
For instance, you could drink a glass of water every time you check your email, after brushing your teeth, or while watching TV.
I like to drink water whenever I eat, whether a meal or a snack. It goes well with it, and it can sometimes help me avoid overeating, too.
By associating water consumption with regular activities, it becomes second nature to drink more water.
9. Snack on Water-Rich Foods
Incorporate water-rich foods into your diet to complement your water intake.
Foods like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and celery have high water content and can contribute to your overall hydration levels.
Snacking on these foods boosts hydration and adds variety to your daily nutrient intake.
10. Get a Drinking Buddy
Having an accountability partner can significantly improve your water-drinking habits.
Find a friend, family member, or colleague who also wants to drink more water and support each other in staying hydrated.
You can share tips, track progress, and motivate each other to prioritize hydration.
If you want, you can also get matching water bottles to help remind each other to keep drinking.
The Bottom Line
Remembering to drink more water can be a manageable task.
Implementing these 10 simple and practical strategies into your daily routine can help you create lasting habits that promote consistent hydration and a healthier, more energized you.
Experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you, and be easy on yourself if you have an off day.
Stay hydrated, stay healthy, and enjoy the benefits of a well-hydrated body and mind.
These are just 10 strategies, but there are countless ways to remember to drink more water. Do you have a unique method that works for you? Please share it in the comments below!
Cheers to a healthier, more hydrated you! You’ve got this!
