Five Sneaky Ways to Hydrate

It’s no secret that staying hydrated is an essential part of wellness, and it’s crucial during all seasons, whether we’re battling muggy summer heat or frigid, dry winter air.

While there are varying expert opinions on exactly how much water we should drink daily, we do know that drinking plenty of it helps you feel energized, keeps your skin fresh, and helps your body to work like it should. If you are even slightly dehydrated, WebMD reminds us that it’ll show up in a surprising number of ways, including negatively impacting your mood or focus, causing tiredness, or headaches.

Dawn Mans, Three Pillars’ Wellness Connection Coordinator, reminds us that,

We’ve all heard the eight-glasses-of-water-per-day directive, but, according to Mayo Clinic, your recommended water intake depends on various factors, including your overall health, how active you are, and the climate you live in.

Regardless of exactly how much your body needs, we could all benefit from drinking a bit more on a daily basis. Try these five simple, sneaky ways to get more water into your life.

1. Drink water with a straw – The simple act of using a straw helps you drink larger amounts in a shorter period of time. Try an attractive, eco-friendly reusable one that you enjoy plunging into your cup or water bottle.
   
2. Swap your morning coffee for an herbal tea – While there is a great deal of water in coffee, the caffeine in it works counteractively to dehydrate you. Even making the switch one or two days a week will help keep you hydrated and well-functioning.
   
3. Eat water-rich foods – Choose nutritious options like watermelon (92% water), cucumber or celery (95% water), plain yogurt (88%), zucchinis (94%), broths (92%) and oranges (88%), which all contain healthy nutrients in addition to a great boost of water. For a refreshing treat, try skewering kabobs of frozen watermelon cubes with a fresh mint leaf, or this Tasty.com recipe for a super-hydrating watermelon slushie.
   
4. Dilute other beverages – If you’re reaching for a juice, iced tea, or lemonade, try adding a splash of water to it. You’ll still get the taste, plus you’re cutting down on a few calories while sneaking in more water.

5. Down a glass of water before each meal – If you make a habit of it, that’s a guaranteed three glasses on top of what you sip throughout the day – a great start. As an added bonus, it may help curb your appetite and ward off any cases of the afternoon or late-night munchies, also.
   

Have a tip to share? What do you find works best in ensuring you stay hydrated? Leave us a comment below!