Among the best beverages there is to drink, water stands out because it is calorie-free, hydrating, cleansing, and thirst-quenching. It improves your physical and mental health while helping you manage your weight. It’s virtually free, too, meaning that you’ll find it in abundance wherever you go.
There are many ways to get more water into your body in 2018. Here, we explore nine simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine going forward.
Habit #1: Make hot water and lemon your morning beverage of choice.
Hot water with lemon has been hailed a wonder drink by medical and fitness experts worldwide. The simple act of adding lemon to a glass of hot or lukewarm water has the ability to give your body a boost of energy in the morning. According to Shape magazine, it also detoxes your system, balances its pH, gives your digestion track a wake-up call, boosts your immune system, helps you look youthful, and gives your brain, nerve, and muscle cells nourishment.
Tip: To make the most of this beverage, prepare at least 8 ounces of hot water in your Green’s Your Colour Triple Insulated Water Bottle. Add fresh lemon juice, bottled lemon juice or crystalized lemon juice to taste. Sip your first glass of H2O before heading out the door and into your busy lifestyle.
Habit #2: Keep it ice cold and readily available.
Ice water cools you down. It’s a refreshing way to hydrate after an intense workout or long day in the sun. Carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go ensures that you have access to cold water at all times. The triple-insulation of our bottles keeps your beverages cold for up to 36 hours at a time. That means that you’re never without something thirst-quenching to drink when you head to the ballpark to watch a game, go outdoors to a cookout with family and friends or take your morning walk with your dog.
Habit #3: Eat your fill of water.
In addition to drinking your water, you can eat it, too! There are many water-filled foods for you to choose from. In fact, they’re low in calories, so you don’t have to worry about eating too many of them, either.
Some options for you to choose from according to Health.com include:
- Cucumber
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Celery
- Radishes
- Green Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Spinach
- Star Fruit
- Strawberries
- Broccoli
- Grapefruit
There are even more refreshing produce items to choose from. Shop in season for the best deals and find new and exciting ways to eat these items in a raw, uncooked state for better results. You’ll benefit from the added vitamins and nutrients they provide.
Habit #4: Infuse your H2O with fruit, veggies, herbs, and essential oils.
Infused water is flavored naturally by the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and culinary-grade essential oils you elect to put into it. The water soaks up the flavors and gives you an extra boost of vitamins and minerals. Coming up with new flavor combinations can be fun, too. So, buy a pitcher with an infuser built into it so you can refill your triple insulated water bottle with the good stuff repeatedly.
Tip: Make sure the water that you start with is cold or room temperature and filtered. You’ll also want to make sure that everything you put into the infuser has been carefully cleaned to remove chemicals, residue, and pesticides from the produce and herbs before flavoring your water with them.
Habit #5: Use a humidifier to put moisture back into the air you breathe.
The air inside your home can actually harm your body. If it’s too dry, you may experience dry sinuses, cracked lips, and even bloody noses. If possible, purchase a humidifier and place it in the bedroom of your home. Let it put moisture back into the air and ultimately, your body, while your sleep.
Tip: Clean the humidifier often for best results. Use distilled water and change it often. Descale minerals from it every three days by using a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Rinse the tank once you’ve cleaned it, and make sure to change out the filter regularly. You’ll breathe easier because you took the time to clean your humidifier.
Habit #6: Put a water tracker app on your phone or tablet.
A free water tracking app is available for iPhone, Android, and Windows phone users. By searching the app store, you’ll find many different options to choose from. Installing one on your phone and having it send you alerts when you haven’t drunk enough water helps ensure that you’re getting what your body needs each day to thrive. It’s also a fun way to stay on top of your newest healthy habit.
Habit #7: Tally up your water intake in a Bullet Journal or planner.
If you’re more an analog person than a digital one, you can track your water intake in a Bullet Journal or planner. Doing so makes you accountable for the amount of H2O you’re consuming. It’s also a visual reminder of the steps you’re taking toward greater health. There are even stamps you can buy that look like glasses or bottles, so you don’t have to draw them in your Bullet Journal or planner.
Habit #8: Drink a glass following every bathroom break.
Think about replenishing what you’ve lost when you go to the bathroom. The same principle can be put into play when you’ve sweated a lot. You’ll need to up your water intake when you’re ill or exercising regularly because you lose fluid quickly during these times. Keep your water bottle nearby so you can refill it and get back to the task at hand.
Habit #9: Put a filter on your faucet or invest in a filtered water jug or pitcher.
Enjoy clean, filtered water without contributing the Earth’s waste problem. Single serving water bottles are clogging up the world’s landfills. You can do your part to keep this from happening by investing in a filter for your water faucet or a jug or pitcher that does the filtering for you. Choosing a company that recycles their filters or makes biodegradable ones is even one more step you can take to protect the planet.
There are many ways to get yourself to drink more water. Choose the habits that you find most valuable and incorporate them into your routine. You’ll look and feel better which is ultimately the goal anyway!
