12 Easy Ways to Drink More Water Every Day
These tricks make sipping water less of a chore.
1. Add flavor to your pitcher.
Chugging several glasses of water a day can seem like torture when every cup is tasteless. Add a bit of excitement by dunking fresh fruit (grapefruit, strawberries, lemon), veggie slices (cucumber, ginger, celery), and herbs (basil, mint, lavender) to your carafe. Read 27 Fruit-Infused Waters to Stay Hydrated This Season to get inspiration for some tasty add-in combinations.
2. Drink a glass after every bathroom break.
Start a habit by linking water with some of your most common daily activities. Getting up from your desk for a bathroom break? Stop by the kitchen to chug a glass of water after leaving the restroom. Every time you pass the water cooler, fill up a cup.
3. Sip before every meal.
When the waiter comes around and asks for drink orders, always request water. Drinking a full cup before each meal can curb calorie intake because it causes you to feel full. Read 3 Reasons Why You Should Drink a Glass of Water Before Each Meal to learn more.
4. Use an app to track your cups.
Keeping up with how many glasses you’ve finished can be easy (and fun) with the help of a free app. Download Daily Water Free or Carbodroid to your phone to set daily reminders and alarms.
5.Or take it a step further and get a high-tech water bottle.
Take your tracking to the next level with the HidrateMe Smart Water Bottle ($60) and coordinating app. This high-tech cup records every ounce as you sip, and sends the information directly to your cell.
6. Dilute sugary drinks with water and ice.
If drinking juice, lemonade, or iced tea is a daily habit, water down your sips with H20 and a healthy helping of ice (aim for a one-to-one ratio). You’ll still get the sweetness you’re craving with a healthy dose of the water your body needs.
7. Keep a gallon jug nearby.
It’s easy to remember to fill up on water when the source is nearby. Keep a gallon jug or large carafe at your desk, by the bed at home, and on the kitchen counter as a constant reminder to drink up.
8. Invest in a filter.
Filtered water can taste better than the liquid coming out of the tap or water fountain. So, invest in a system for your kitchen sink and for your portable bottle. Try Soma Water Filtration Carafe ($50) for home and the Bobble Classic ($10) on the go.
9. Choose sparkling or mineral water over soda.
Pouring this bubbly, zero-calorie drink is just as good for your body as drinking water—except it's got more pizzazz. Add a squeeze of lime juice, and it's basically like drinking a fancy cocktail (without the alcohol). Check out A Definitive Guide to the Best Sparkling Waters for a rundown of the most popular brands. You can also make your own sparkling water at home with a Sodastream ($80).
10. Eat water-rich foods.
One sneaky way to increase the amount of water you consume on a daily basis: eat your H2O. Addfruits and vegetables with a high water content to your grocery shopping list. Some top picks include cucumber (96% water), zucchini (95% water), watermelon (92% water), and grapefruit (91% water). Try these recipes to get started: Zucchini Pasta With White Beans and Grilled Chicken, Grilled Salmon Salad With Grapefruit, and Cucumber Salad.
11. Stick to a one-to-one rule when drinking alcohol.
You’ve probably heard the drinking rule: for every cocktail turn up one glass of water. This is a great strategy to avoid a hangover the next day, but you can also use it to make sure you get plenty of H2O in your system to balance out sugar-packed mixers and syrups.
12. Use a marked water bottle.
A bottle that’s marked with ounces or even hours can help you reach your personal water goal each day. Plus, you’ll know exactly how many times you need to refill! Try the Water Intake Tracker Bottle ($15).
1. Add flavor to your pitcher.
Chugging several glasses of water a day can seem like torture when every cup is tasteless. Add a bit of excitement by dunking fresh fruit (grapefruit, strawberries, lemon), veggie slices (cucumber, ginger, celery), and herbs (basil, mint, lavender) to your carafe. Read 27 Fruit-Infused Waters to Stay Hydrated This Season to get inspiration for some tasty add-in combinations.
2. Drink a glass after every bathroom break.
Start a habit by linking water with some of your most common daily activities. Getting up from your desk for a bathroom break? Stop by the kitchen to chug a glass of water after leaving the restroom. Every time you pass the water cooler, fill up a cup.
3. Sip before every meal.
When the waiter comes around and asks for drink orders, always request water. Drinking a full cup before each meal can curb calorie intake because it causes you to feel full. Read 3 Reasons Why You Should Drink a Glass of Water Before Each Meal to learn more.
4. Use an app to track your cups.
Keeping up with how many glasses you’ve finished can be easy (and fun) with the help of a free app. Download Daily Water Free or Carbodroid to your phone to set daily reminders and alarms.
5.Or take it a step further and get a high-tech water bottle.
Take your tracking to the next level with the HidrateMe Smart Water Bottle ($60) and coordinating app. This high-tech cup records every ounce as you sip, and sends the information directly to your cell.
6. Dilute sugary drinks with water and ice.
If drinking juice, lemonade, or iced tea is a daily habit, water down your sips with H20 and a healthy helping of ice (aim for a one-to-one ratio). You’ll still get the sweetness you’re craving with a healthy dose of the water your body needs.
7. Keep a gallon jug nearby.
It’s easy to remember to fill up on water when the source is nearby. Keep a gallon jug or large carafe at your desk, by the bed at home, and on the kitchen counter as a constant reminder to drink up.
8. Invest in a filter.
Filtered water can taste better than the liquid coming out of the tap or water fountain. So, invest in a system for your kitchen sink and for your portable bottle. Try Soma Water Filtration Carafe ($50) for home and the Bobble Classic ($10) on the go.
9. Choose sparkling or mineral water over soda.
Pouring this bubbly, zero-calorie drink is just as good for your body as drinking water—except it's got more pizzazz. Add a squeeze of lime juice, and it's basically like drinking a fancy cocktail (without the alcohol). Check out A Definitive Guide to the Best Sparkling Waters for a rundown of the most popular brands. You can also make your own sparkling water at home with a Sodastream ($80).
10. Eat water-rich foods.
One sneaky way to increase the amount of water you consume on a daily basis: eat your H2O. Addfruits and vegetables with a high water content to your grocery shopping list. Some top picks include cucumber (96% water), zucchini (95% water), watermelon (92% water), and grapefruit (91% water). Try these recipes to get started: Zucchini Pasta With White Beans and Grilled Chicken, Grilled Salmon Salad With Grapefruit, and Cucumber Salad.
11. Stick to a one-to-one rule when drinking alcohol.
You’ve probably heard the drinking rule: for every cocktail turn up one glass of water. This is a great strategy to avoid a hangover the next day, but you can also use it to make sure you get plenty of H2O in your system to balance out sugar-packed mixers and syrups.
12. Use a marked water bottle.
A bottle that’s marked with ounces or even hours can help you reach your personal water goal each day. Plus, you’ll know exactly how many times you need to refill! Try the Water Intake Tracker Bottle ($15).
