The Best Hacks For Staying Hydrated

Hydration is absolutely vital for a healthy mind and body. Symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and more, can all be signs that you haven’t been drinking enough water. Staying hydrated should be a top priority for good blood circulation, digestion, and energy. You can change your entire day just by drinking water.

Here are the reasons why you need to stay hydrated and the best hacks to help you do just that.

The Benefits of Water And How Much You Should Consume

The human body is made up of 60% water. The majority of the water in your body is found inside your cells and the rest surrounds the cells or lives in the liquid part of your blood known as plasma. This is why proper water levels allow your body to function the way that it should.

Water is needed for many essential bodily tasks including regulating your body temperature, flushing waste and toxins out of your system, keeping joints lubricated, carrying nutrients during digestion to other parts of the body, and playing a critical role in cellular energy, production, and use.

Experts say that women should be drinking 65-70 oz a day whereas men should be consuming 88-100 oz a day. These numbers are rough estimates and what is “adequate” will be different from person to person. It is important to keep track of the color of your urine. You want to stray away from dark yellow colors and lean more into almost translucent urine. How much water it takes to get there will be entirely dependent on you and your needs.

But, even though water is absolutely necessary for a healthy life, it does not mean it is an easy feat to make sure you consume enough. In fact, it can be really easy to forget and not drink nearly enough with the busy schedules of modern life. So here are five hacks to ensure you stay hydrated.

Eat More Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables can contain up to 96% water. It’s expected that roughly 20% of your daily water intake will come from consuming solid foods. So increase the fruits and vegetables in your diet to not only ensure you are getting enough water but to also reap the benefits of the added nutrients.

Some water-rich fruits and vegetables include celery, salad greens, cucumbers, oranges, strawberries, peaches, avocados, and cruciferous vegetables.

Drink Herbal Teas

Beverages that are flavored with herbs are excellent sources to help keep you hydrated. They also contain phytochemicals (natural plant compounds) that are known to provide health benefits. For example, peppermint tea has been known to help soothe digestive distress. Different herbs have different health benefits.

For an added hack, make your water ahead of time and store it in the fridge for later use. Add ice for a refreshing drink in the summer and serve it hot in the winter.

Fruit-Infused Water

It’s no surprise that drinking plain water can get boring. That’s why so many people opt for sugary beverages— their taste. Instead, try letting fruits soak in your water before drinking. It will provide a refreshing flavor while also adding the health benefits of the nutrients found in the fruits.

Strawberries, blueberries, and even lemon make for a great additive to your water. You can even try fruits like kiwi, orange slices, sweet cherries, peach slices, or whatever your favorite fruit is. Try mashing berries beforehand and letting them soak. You can strain the remnants if you prefer.

Drink Coconut Water

Perhaps one of the most underrated ways to stay hydrated is to add coconut water to your drinking regimen. Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, especially potassium. Electrolytes are great for helping to rehydrate you, especially after a tough workout.

If you opt to add coconut water to your daily routine just assure that you reach for an unsweetened version. Experts say drinking about 2 quarts a day can help prevent kidney stone formation better than tap water can. Studies also show that coconut water can help combat the effects of depression.

Eat More Soups And Broths

The liquid from soups and broths will help hydrate you along with the water-rich vegetables that are often found in soups. Vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery can give you a boost of hydration while also providing nutrients to your diet.

You can also make broths by boiling the bones of grass-fed chicken or cattle to reap the benefits of collagen. Collagen is known to be good for hair, skin, and nail growth, but it can also help protect the gut lining.

Final Thoughts

Hydration matters. In order to live a long, healthy, and pain-free life, you have to make sure that your body and your organs are well hydrated. If you don’t always remember to drink enough water, hopefully, these simple hacks will help you up your water game.