Top 5 Tips for Staying Hydrated
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Medically-reviewed by Dr. Monique White-Dominguez
You’ve heard since you were a little kid that drinking water is important. And it is.
But do you know exactly why it’s important for you to keep your body hydrated? Considering our body is about 60% water, and you need to continue to consume more water on a daily basis to stay healthy, it’s time to learn why water is vital to your health and wellness.
Why is staying hydrated important?
There are a number of different reasons your body needs you to keep pumping water into it, and here are a few.
Brain function
Studies have shown that your brain function depends largely upon how hydrated you are. The more fluid you lose in your body, the more it affects both your mood and your ability to concentrate.
Thus, in order to keep your brain functioning at its best, you need to drink plenty of water.
Energy
If you aren’t hydrated enough, you tend to feel fatigued, and may even experience anxiety. This ties into the role that water plays in brain function, so to keep your energy levels up, keep your water consumption up.
Exercise
When you exercise, you tend to sweat, which causes you to lose water. Losing that water can lead to exhaustion, which makes it more difficult for you to continue to exercise and also makes it harder for your muscles to repair post-workout.
In order to maximize your workout and get the best results, stay hydrated.
Regular bowel movements
Constipation is a more common issue than many people think. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that about 16% of adults in the United States have symptoms of constipation and about 33% of adults over the age of 60 suffer from this bowel condition.
Studies have shown that constipation is oftentimes linked to not drinking enough water. By increasing the amount of water you drink, you may be able to decrease your issues with constipation.
Ways to Stay Hydrated
Now that you know some of the key reasons why hydration is important to all kinds of bodily functions, we have a few tips that will help make drinking more water an easier task for you to tackle.
1. Drink the right amount
At some point in time, someone came up with the concept that everyone is supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day. And we are here to tell you that is a lie. The amount of water you need to consume varies from person to person.
For the most part, the best way to determine how much water you need to drink is this simple method:
Take your body weight
Divide it by 2
That number, in ounces, is how much water you should drink a day.
So, for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that means you should drink 150/2 = 75 ounces of water every day.
If you have a heavy workout, spend time in the sauna, or are on diets that are particularly dehydrating, you want to be sure to add more to that number.
2. Add chia seeds
We know, this sounds strange, but trust us on this one. To up your hydration, add chia seeds to your water. If you’ve ever added chia seeds to anything (such as milk to make chia seed pudding), then you know it turns into a gel. The same happens with water, creating what is called “gel water.”
This gel water boasts maximum hydration, because of its ability to hold onto hydration better than stand-alone water. Plus, you get the added bonus of more fiber in your diet, too.
3. Make your water bottle your BFF
If you’re someone who is on the go, then make sure you have a water bottle by your side at all times. We vote for a reusable one that’s good for the environment and that you can conveniently refill (and for free at most places!).
You’re much more likely to drink water if you have it by your side throughout the day. Also, oftentimes people who don’t tote a water bottle around with them wait until they’re already dehydrated to seek out something to quench their thirst. And then you’re just playing catch-up, which isn’t fun.
4. Stay ahead of your hydration
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink some water. Get in the habit of consuming water throughout the day, whenever possible.
5. Drink water right when you wake up and before each meal
Get your body moving right from the moment you wake up by hydrating with at least 1 glass of water, 2 if you can.
Then, throughout the day, drink water before each meal. This helps you eat more slowly and ensures that the amount of food you eat is actually how much you need. Some people often mistake being thirsty for being hungry, so having water before each meal helps to keep this from happening.
