There are times you definitely need to up your intake. Work out? Drink before, during, and after. Even mild dehydration can tank your performance—you’ll feel like a wet noodle. Also, if you’re sick with a fever or stomach bug, you’re losing fluids fast.
Hot weather is another sneaky culprit. Your body sweats more to cool down, and you might not notice until you’re dizzy. Oh, and if you’re drinking alcohol or caffeine, they can be diuretics, meaning they flush water out. So maybe have a glass of water between those beers at happy hour. Your future self will thank you.
Tips That Don’t Suck (From Someone Who Forgets to Drink)
Look, I’m not great at remembering to hydrate. So I use tricks. Keep a bottle on your desk and set a timer to sip every 30 minutes. Or add lemon or cucumber to make it feel less boring. Some people swear by those giant “time-marked” water bottles—they oddly motivate you to catch up.
How Much Water Should You Drink Daily To Keep Hydrated?
Another sneaky life hack: eat your water. Snack on cucumbers, celery, berries, or yogurt. These foods are mostly water and count just as much as a glass. And if you feel hungry, try drinking water first; sometimes thirst disguises itself as a snack attack. Your belly might just be playing tricks on you.
