Simple ways to drink more water & stay hydrated

Drinking more water is a common challenge for those dipping their toes into a healthier lifestyle for the first time. They say they hate the taste. It’s boring. Or they forget to reach for the glass. Are you among the water-adverse?

I won’t get into too much detail about how important water is for our bodies. The amount needed depends on your age, weight, environment, health, diet, and activity level. Healthline reports that generally, women need 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day, and men need 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day.

I’m a bonified water lover, and I’ve got some great tips and tricks to keep anyone who claims to hate water – or simply forgets to drink it – stay hydrated. Read on:

Foods That Hydrate

Drinking water is the best way to ensure you are hydrated properly adding foods high in water content is a nice supplement if you think you may be falling short on the hydration scale. Eating fruits like watermelon, strawberries and oranges, vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, soups, and even dairy, can help you reach optimal hydration.

Foods That Dehydrate

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of dehydration include: extreme thirst, less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. Salty snacks, cured meat, fried food, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and soda all contribute to dehydration. Either eliminate or minimize eating these foods and chug a glass of water after eating these foods.

More ways to drink more water

Stay on top of your thirst: Sip water throughout the day so you never get to the point of feeling super thirsty or fatigued.

Purchase a big water bottle: I have a 40-ounce water bottle and I fill it up about three times a day. I bring it to the gym, and in the car when traveling, and it stays on my desk while I work. Amazon sells a two-pack for $42.99. You won’t have to worry about filling cup after cup or buying more plastic water bottles.

Use a straw. This is especially helpful for those who don’t like the taste of water. Drinking from a straw allows you to suck down a lot of water and minimizes the taste. There are countless reusable steel or glass straws on Amazon that you can purchase.

Quality water: Maybe you are not drinking enough water because your water is…terrible. Seriously, if you are drinking out of the tap chances are the water tastes bad. Purchasing a water filtration system of any kind will improve your relationship with water. Whether it’s a Brita filter pitcher, water filter faucet system or under-sink water filter – you will up your hydration game with the investment. My husband and I switched from buying wasteful water bottles and jugs every week to an under-the-sink filter system and it was a game-changer. We weren’t afraid to run out of drinking water and felt better that we were not adding more plastic to the recycling bin.

Consider buying a water testing kit at Home Depot to make sure you are not drinking anything harmful to you or your family. This water testing kit is $18.

Flavoring: Water can get boring but replacing it with soda or juices is not the answer. Don’t drink your calories! There are some wonderful sugar-free flavoring options out there. My favorite is True Lemon. They sell zero-calorie unsweetened water enhancers and low-calorie drink mixes. They have packets so you can keep them with you on the go. I love the unsweetened True Lime flavor that is made from real citrus. It gives just a hint of flavor.

Get techie with it: There are numerous apps for tracking and reminding you of your water intake. Check out the Gulp app or Kropla app. Sometimes a gentle reminder is all we need to stay on track.

Water first, then food. Drink the water served at the restaurant as soon as you sit down and say yes to refills. It may even help you curb your appetite, therefore eating less calories.

Positive or negative mindset: The choice is yours

Positivity is a choice!

That’s right, I said it.

It is not all about a smile and a laugh and it is not about putting on a mask for others. Having a positive mindset takes a lot of work and sometimes we must slay a lot of demons to find the light of a positive mindset. Dark thoughts come to us all, I’ve had my fair share. It’s easy to fall deep down a dark hole of thought and emotion. Positivity is your flashlight that you can shine down that dark alley of your mind and help you find your way out.Stay in your own lane

Because the hard work and time successful people put in are usually behind the scenes, all we see are the results of their labor. Their blood, sweat, tears, and self-discipline are hidden from our view. Think about (and appreciate) the work it took for that person to get the skill or physique you desire. Then ask yourself: What can I do to work towards getting the results I want?

“Choosing to be positive is an act of war on darkness.”

Having a positive attitude means seeing the good in a situation instead of the bad. It’s about reframing an experience so that you gain the perspective you may not otherwise have seen. For example, you’re in a long line at the grocery store. The person in front of you has a zillion coupons and is paying with a check. You were supposed to be at the barbeque 10 minutes ago. Reframe this: be thankful you have the resources to buy food, the friends to hang out with at the party, and the health to even be standing in the first place. (And maybe, start grooving to the classic tunes pumping over the store speakers.)

Being positive means seeing your cup as half full, not half empty. It doesn’t mean you turn a blind eye to reality. You don’t have to see the world through rose-colored glasses. It’s about seeing the reality of a situation for what it is and choosing to find the positive in it.

Positivity and Your Health

Studies suggest that there is a strong connection between positive thinking and your health. One of the theories as to why positivity is good for our health is that it helps deal with stress. According to MayoClinic, some of the benefits include:

• Increased life span

• Lower rates of depression

• Greater resistance to illnesses

• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke

• Reduced risk of death from cancer and respiratory conditions

• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Furthermore, according to hopkinsmedicine.org, there are studies that have found that positivity “improves outcomes and life satisfaction across a spectrum of conditions—including traumatic brain injury, stroke and brain tumors.”

Photo: Mohamed Nohassi via Unsplash.com

Reframe Your Thinking

It’s time to retrain your brain so that when negative thoughts creep in, you can refocus and get yourself out of that negative state. Repeating a mantra is one effective way to flip the switch on negative thoughts. An example of a positive mantra could be:

I am in charge of my life.

I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.

My presence is my power.

I got this.

Stopping your negative self-talk in its tracks is another way to train your mind to stay on the positive side. Instead of saying, “I can’t do anything right!” say “What can I learn from this?” After all, you wouldn’t talk to your friend that way, so don’t talk to yourself that way either.

Spending time with others that have a positive attitude is important as well. You don’t want to spend your time around people that will bring you down into their dark alley. I grew up in a household that was clouded by negative energy. When you hear negative words on a daily basis, especially as a child, it rewires your brain. You start talking to yourself just as bad as what you hear in your environment. It was a struggle to climb out of that negative muck and be the positive person I knew I always was.

Gratitude Changes Your Attitude

Another tool to help set a positive mindset is to practice gratitude. Keep a journal and write in it daily. Think about all of the things in life you are grateful for. When you are feeling down, re-read your journal entries. Keeping things in perspective is a wonderful way to stay on the positive side of life.