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“Water is life, and clean water means health.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
Everything about you depends on water! From your mental health to your physical health, water is so important. Yet many of us don’t drink near enough water on a daily basis. I’ve been one of those people, but I’ve recently been getting enough water intake and decided I should share the tips that helped me, with y’all! First though, let’s discuss why water is so important.
Why is Water so Important?
1. Plain & Simple, Without Water We Die
Our bodies are made up of over 50% water. Without proper water intake we would shrivel up and die. This is why so many people in third world countries without access to clean water die or end up drinking dirty water that slowly kills them. (If you would like to help fight this cause, I have linked to a great charity at the end of this post!) Make sure you get at least 8 cups a day to be hydrated, you may need even more. The more water isn’t always the better though, because there is an illness called Hyponatremia. This is also known as water intoxication; essentially your body becomes water logged after you drink too much water in a short amount of time and it will make you very sick. So make sure you get your water in, but don’t drink it all in one sitting!
2. Want Better Mental Health? Drink Water
Dehydration, even mild dehydration, has been known to affect mental health. It can do everything from simply decrease your energy levels to balancing your mood and emotions. As someone who suffers from a couple mental illnesses, I don’t take this claim lightly. Since drinking more water I have realized I’ve had less unbalanced moods and my emotions have been on the happier side! Water also helps concentration, cognition, and memory. The more hydrated you are the better your brain will function! Water can even help you spiritually because it helps you think clearer. When we think clearly we can mediate on God’s goodness more frequently and easily!
3. Drink Your Way to Better Physical Health
Want to lose weight? Drink water. Want to tone up? Drink Water. All things fitness depend upon water. When wanting to lose weight, water helps to suppress your appetite, fight cravings, reduce fluid retention, and even can increase your metabolism for a short amount of time. When trying to tone up water is important because drinking water helps to lubricate your muscles and keep you from ending workouts early due to muscle cramps. Hydrated muscles work longer and harder before they feel tired, and this helps you build muscle.
Water can help you mentally, physically and spiritually. Now that you understand how important water is, you may be asking yourself “But how do I up my water intake when I hate plain water?” Well that’s where my 6 easy tips come in!
6 Easy Ways to Increase Water Intake
1. Kick the Flavor up a Notch
It can be hard to get reach the daily water intake we need drinking plain water. Not everyone likes the taste of plain water, myself included. So the easiest way I’ve found to increase water intake is to flavor it! The most nutrious and calorie free way to do this is to flavor your water with fruit, herbs, or vegetables using an infuser. Some of my favorite flavor combinations are cucumber mint and strawberry kiwi. I’ve found these easiest way to increase my water intake is to use a water bottle infuser. Here is one for a great deal on Amazon!
2. Be a Goal Digger
Set a goal to increase your water intake, and drink until you meet it! Setting goals is a good habit to be in anyways, and what’s more important than being well hydrated. Like I said earlier, we die without enough water. This website is a great resource to help you set your goal for your water intake. You may be surprised you might need more than 8 cups a day to be your best hydrated self. Once you set a goal, it’s time to implement something to help you keep on track.
3. There’s an App for That
Tracking your water intake is crucial to making sure you get enough. For most of us it’s easier to keep up with our phones than it is a physical tracking log. There are many different apps in both the Apple store and Google Play store that help you keep track of your water intake. Try some different ones out and see which one fits your lifestyle best!
4. Am I REALLY Hungry?
One way to increase your water intake is to drink a glass of water before you eat. A lot of times our body isn’t hungry but thirsty. So when you’re feeling hungry try drinking some water instead, wait 15 minutes, and if your still hungry reach for a nutritious snack. No matter what your increasing your water intake and can be saving unnecessary calories too.
5. You Are What You Eat
Eating can increase water intake? You just said to drink water instead of eat! I know, I know, but listen up. Eating certain water filled foods can help you reach your daily water goals too! Foods like melons, cucumbers, and bell peppers are rich in water and help fill you up too. So why not snack on some guac and bell peppers?! I mean, who needs an excuse to get more guac in their life, I sure don’t!
6. Look at All The Benefits
Looking at the benefits of increased water intake can help you to focus on meeting your goal. There are so many benefits to drinking water. Everything from better looking skin, to weight loss, and even more energy! The benefits are endless and so wonderful. The most important benefit is unseen to the naked eye though. It’s an internal benefit. Water cleans out your system, flushing away impurities that can make you ill and keep your body from functioning in tip top shape. So increase your water intake for better health!
I hope these tips help you to reach your water intake goal, and help you meet your other goals in turn. Water is the main resource of life and needs to be available to everyone, in a clean, drinkable form. If you want to donate to a great organization fighting this cause, Compassion International is a great one that helps bring clean water to those around the world who are drinking unsafe water.
What is your favorite tip for increasing water intake?
Share below, I’m sure we all could use some help meeting our goals!
With Love,
Desiree♥
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