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Hydration is incredibly important to your health, affecting many of your bodily functions. Chronic dehydration can be very serious.
It is important to keep drinking water and eating hydrating foods (fruits and veggies) to keep your body functioning well. In the summer it is hot outside and we sweat more. In the winter the heat in our homes often dries out the air-and out bodies.
The two biggest problems that I run into with getting enough water are a) remembering to stop and drink and b) getting bored with plain water. Here is what I did about it.
Remembering
I actually have reminders on my phone set to go off every two hours to make sure I remember to stop and drink.
When I get up, I have made it a habit to drink a glass of water. As I am in the kitchen cooking, I have my water to sip on handy. Before bed I have another glass or two.
Getting Bored With Plain Water
Adding lemon, lime, berries or cucumber to my water gives it enough flavor to change things up. (Lemon water has a whole list of benefits itself)
Water is best for you, though there are times when you might need something extra.
Coconut water is a great hydrator, just be sure to steer clear of ones with additives (straight organic coconut water is best).
The Hippy Homemaker has a great recipe for natural electrolyte drink, as do Wellness Mama and The Food Babe. Earthley Wellness has a great electrolyte powder that we use often.
Sole (say So-lay) water is a great hydrator and has many other health benefits, you can find Wellness Mama’s recipe for Sole Water here.
Nutritive teas are also beneficial.
Making Sure The Your Water is Clean
Tap water contains fluoride, lead, and a host of other things that you do not want to drink. We have Zero Water Filters, though one day I would love to get a whole house system.
Zero Waters removes heavy metals, fluoride, and microplastics (PFOS and PFOA).
A Good Water Bottle is Your Friend When It Comes to Hydration
Having a good water bottle is very helpful in keeping hydrated.
We’ve tested our fair share of them for sure! For us, we avoid plastic, choosing glass or stainless steel water bottles.
My all-time favorite is the glass Eddy water bottle by CamelBak with a glass straw from Strawsome.
We’ve been using Thermoflask stainless steel water bottles with GoSili Straws, and I love the size, but the mouthpiece on the straw lid is hard which is a big turn off for me. I have ordered a new lid that should be compatible, so I will keep you posted.
I haven’t gotten a stainless steel Eddy because honestly the less I have to refill the better, and it only came in 24 ounce for the longest time. I just found the 40 oz stainless steel Eddy though, so I think that will go on my Mother’s Day wish list.
Important Notes on Hydration
Each person has different needs to stay hydrated. The best measure is listening to your body’s cues.
Thirst is a key indicator (though if you ignore thirst until you no longer feel thirsty, that’s pretty bad), as are fatigue/confusion, constipation, dark or concentrated urine (it should be light yellow-think straw colored).
Pregnant and breastfeeding moms need to be especially vigilant when it comes to hydration. It’s recommended that nursing moms drink an extra 8 ounces of water per nursing session.
The elderly and young children also should be watched carefully to make sure that they are staying hydrated.
Caffeine can cause dehydration, since it works as a diuretic, so be careful with it.
Fruits and Veggies can also aid in hydration. Melons, berries, and cucumbers all have a high water content plus added minerals and vitamins.
I’ve been trying to drink more water, so I found these tips helpful. I like plain water fine, and we have good well water. My main problem is just remembering. Maybe I will try setting some reminders on my phone. 🙂