5 Hacks To Drink More Water
Regardless of your age, gender, location, or occupation, we all have one thing in common: we need water to survive.
For many, drinking enough water is difficult, and many of us do not meet the daily recommended water intake. The Mayo Clinic recommends that healthy adult women should drink 92 ounces (2.7 litres) and healthy adult men drink 124 ounces (3.7 litres) daily.
If this seems like an unattainable goal, then you’re in the right place. Santevia has outlined five hacks to drink more water daily:
- Keep Your Water Bottle Around
- Flavor It
- Mix up the Temperature
- Set Reminders
- Invest in a Filter
Keep Your Water Bottle Around
Before you can keep your water bottle around, you must own a water bottle that you actually like to use. The size of water bottle you prefer depends on your lifestyle.
If you’re carrying it in your bag you’ll probably want one that seals tight and doesn’t leak - like the Santevia Tritan Water Bottle. Or, if you’re drinking it at your desk, you might prefer one with a straw.
Regardless of your preferences, the key is that you bring it around, drink it, and fill it up throughout the day. Most offices and public facilities have resources to provide filtered or tap water. If that’s not an option or you are working outdoors or on-the-go, consider investing in a larger water bottle that does not need refilling.
Another perk of using a reusable bottle is reduced waste. While hydrating you also reduce your environmental footprint. Single-use plastic water bottles are a major contributor to plastic waste accumulation in landfills and unfortunately, the ocean.
Flavor It
Depending on where you live, your municipal water might not have the best flavour. This is the result of a variety of factors, most likely the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), like chlorine, minerals, heavy metals, and sediment.
If the taste of your water is what is preventing you from drinking the recommended daily amount, then improve the flavor! This can be done in a few different ways, including filtration, natural flavours, and sweeteners (although we don’t necessarily recommend the last one).
Filtering your water is an easy way to improve its taste and reduce harmful contaminants like chlorine. Chlorine is used to treat many municipal water source, but some studies show that it is linked to various types of cancer.
Another way to improve the taste is adding natural flavors. Our favourites are lemon and ginger - which are also antioxidants and have alkalizing effects in the body. You can add fresh mint, cucumbers, and even berries to liven up the taste and encourage yourself to drink more throughout the day.
Mix Up The Temperature
You do not have to stick to regular, room-temperature water all the time. In the summer it can be nice to cool down with an ice-cold glass of water. Whether you add ice or keep the water in the fridge just make sure you’re drinking it consistently.
Similarly, in the winter you can stay warm and keep hydrated by drinking hot water. Adding some of the flavors we talked about above are a great way to drink hot water.
Another tip for all year round is making tea! There’s a common myth that tea does not effectively hydrate you but that has been debunked. We recommend sticking to herbal teas so that you don’t consume too much caffeine. In the winter you can opt for chamomile and in the summer you can try iced peppermint and rooibos teas.
Set Reminders
Most smartphones have reminder features that can be used to remind you to drink water. Similarly, there are many apps available that keep track of how much water you’re drinking throughout the day.
Another fun reminder system is keeping track with your physical water bottle. There are many bottles available that have lines to indicate by what time you should have drunk a specified amount.
Alternatively, you can place elastic bands on your water bottle and remove one each time that you finish a whole bottle. Add however many bands that you plan to drink that day.
Invest In A Filter
Investing in a filter is a great way to ensure that you are drinking clean, healthy water that tastes great. Whether it’s at home or your office, you should be drinking the best quality water.
Santevia offers a variety of filters that reduce harmful contaminants like chlorine and lead, add healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium, and naturally raise the pH up to 2.0 points.
If you live alone or in a smaller space, the MINA Alkaline Pitcher is a great option. It can easily fit in your fridge door and filters water at a rapid pace, meaning that you can refill it throughout the day and have clean water in minutes.
If you live in a larger space and are looking for a filter for the whole family - or even the whole office - then the Gravity Water System is the perfect choice. The Gravity Water System offers Santevia’s highest level of filtration while adding beneficial minerals.
Regardless of the filter you choose, the clean and smooth taste will definitely help you achieve your daily water intake!
The Bottom Line on Drinking Enough Water
As you can see, there are many easy and accessible ways to increase how much water you drink every day so your body can reap the benefits of staying hydrated. Whether you add some natural flavours, heat it up in tea, or invest in a filter that will keep you committed - the most important part is that you are drinking enough water each and every day.