Did you know, approximately 75% of the human body is made up of water? Considering this, it is crucial for our health and wellbeing that we drink enough water to keep our bodies hydrated.
Fluids have many important functions in the body, including lubricating the joints, transporting nutrients in the blood, and also removing waste products through urine.
For optimal health, you should aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day (around 1.5 to 2 litres), however sometimes it can be tricky to hit this goal. Our Dietitian Hollie Corrigan is here to provide some helpful tips for boosting hydration and drinking an optimal level of water day to day. Check them out below!
Tips for drinking more water
Sip little and often
Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Dehydration can manifest in different ways other than thirst, such as tiredness, difficulty concentrating and constipation. Sipping on fluids throughout the day will ensure that you stay constantly hydrated and will reduce your risk of becoming dehydrated.
Make your drinks interesting
Get bored of water easily? Great news – many different drinks can count towards your hydration as they all have water content, including cordial, milk, tea, juices and soups. Keep your drinks choices varied if needed so you don’t get bored.
Drink from your favourite vessel
Do you have a fancy cup, glass or bottle that you like to drink from? Keep it around as much as possible and you will be more likely to drink from this., or if you don’t have something like this already why not treat yourself and invest in one – it will make it a lot easier to keep on top of your hydration!
Always have some water to hand
Invest in a few water bottles and leave them filled in places where you spend the most time e.g. your desk, your car, your bedside locker. This means you will have fluids available to you most of the time.
Drink through a straw
Straws enable the fluid to reach your mouth quickly and also increase the amount of fluid you take in compared to sipping. They can also be easier and more convenient to drink from!
Eat your 5 a day
Fruit and vegetables have a high water content which also counts towards your hydration levels. Add an extra handful of fruit or veg to your meal to make it more hydrating.
Set hourly reminders to drink
Sometimes life just gets busy and we forget to drink, and that’s okay. Setting a reminder on your phone or fitness tracker for each hour to prompt you to drink water can help you stay on top of it, especially when you are first getting in to the habit of drinking more.
Written by: Hollie Corrigan, CORU Registered Dietitian with Spectrum Nutrition
