5 Tips to Hydrate Through Your Daily Hustle
When life gets busy, it’s easy to forget about staying hydrated. Keeping track of the kids or just powering through your day can be enough to drain your body of the fluids it needs to keep you healthy. And our brains need water just as much as the rest of our bodies. Not drinking enough water is associated with fatigue, lack of focus and even weakening of short-term memory.[1]
If you tend to let your daily hydration slip, it’s no sweat to get your water intake back on track. Here are 5 healthy habits to help keep you refreshed and focused during your daily hustle.
Drink a Glass First Thing in the Morning
Starting the morning off right can set the tone for the rest of the day. Set yourself up for success by drinking 1 or 2 full glasses of water when you wake up to replace all the fluids your body lost while sleeping. Making a habit out of morning hydration can help get your metabolism up and running and even give you a little boost of energy—at least enough to get you to that first cup of coffee or tea.
Set Regular Reminders
On a busy day, we don’t go anywhere without our smartphones. So why not use yours to support your daily hydration demands too? And the same way your phone’s always in your pocket, you can start taking your favorite water bottle with you wherever you go. Set hourly alarms so no matter where your daily hustle takes you, you’ll remember to pause and sip a few more ounces. There’s also an ocean of well-rated water tracking apps to help you manage your daily intake and meet your goals. The right app can even make it fun.
Listen to Your Body
Everyone knows about drinking 8 glasses of water a day. That’s a reasonable goal, and it’s certainly easy to remember. But when it comes to healthy hydration, experts say it’s not 8-glasses-fits-all.[2] Depending on your age, weight, activity level and so many other factors, everyone’s daily water needs are different. That’s why it’s so important to remain mindful of the signals your body gives you that it needs more fluids. Dry lips, headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue can all be signs that it’s time for a refill.
Don’t Be Afraid of Flavor
When thirst hits, it’s tempting to grab a sugary soda or caffeinated energy drink. But just because water’s a healthier option, that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. There are so many ways to infuse your regular water with a little flavor. A few slices of cucumber or a fresh squeeze of lemon in your glass are great ways to liven up your water. Many bottled brands also offer fruit-flavored water with 0 calories. And if soda’s your thing, sparkling water’s a tasty alternative to staying hydrated without all that unhealthy sugar.
1 More Glass Before Bed
The same way a cold glass of H20 can start your day off right, 1 more before bed can support a relaxing bedtime routine. Experts say drinking water before bed can help prevent nighttime dehydration and even lower your core body temperature for better, more restful sleep.[3] And for whatever your daily goal may be, 1 more glass before bed can be that final push you need to cross the finish line before starting the whole race again tomorrow.
References
[1] "Why Your Brain Needs Water,” Psychology Today, 15 Oct. 2010, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/you-illuminated/201010/why-your-brainneeds-water Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.
[2] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00365.2002