I’m not sure why it’s so hard to drink our daily recommended amount of water, but it just is. I’m trying to do better this year and know that others at Cool Mom HQ are too, so I’ve found a few ways to make it a little easier. Because even when it’s freezing cold outside, it’s still important to stay hydrated.
If you’re also trying to stay better hydrated, give one — or all — of these five tips to help you drink more water a try. You’ll feel better for it, and starting good habits now will serve you especially well once the hot summer months hit. And maybe if you have a tip not listed here, you could share it on our Recipe Rescue group on Facebook. Because sharing is caring.
Updated for 2022
Related: 15 super healthy foods to always keep on hand this year.
Cut out other drinks
The hardest — and easiest — way for me to drink more water is to cut out other drinks entirely. These days, the only drink options I allow myself are coffee in the morning and water for the rest of the day. Giving up soda, juice, and my favorite Southern fruit tea was hard at first, but it totally worked: now I drink more water and feel better for it.
If you’re finding it hard to eliminate other drinks, I’ve got a good motivator: take a week or two to jot down how much money you’re spending on drinks. Once you see how much money you can save by just drinking water, it’ll be easier to make the switch. (Photo by Julia Zolotova on Unsplash)
Keep track in a visible place
For a totally low-tech, but brilliant way to track your water intake, we’re loving this idea shared on the Moon Tree Press Instagram feed many years ago. She simply tracks how many glasses she’s had with a magnet on the fridge. It doesn’t get simpler than this, but, that said, it’s probably best for those who spend most of their day at home.
Keep track with an app
I recently downloaded the Productive app to help me develop better habits like taking time to journal, watering my plants, and so on. Three times a day, I have a reminder set on my Apple watch to drink a glass of water (you can also set reminders on your phone). I’m really motivated by checking things off my list, so this has really helped make a difference.
Get a smart water bottle
I tried out the Hidrate Spark smart water bottles (affiliate) over at Cool Mom Tech and was surprised by how well it helped me increase my water consumption. When you go too long without hydrating, the bottle will glow, reminding you to take a drink. It records your intake to the companion app, where you can also track the water you drink from other sources, like from a glass in a restaurant, so that you can keep accurate count throughout your day.
Add fresh fruit, mint or bubbles to your water
If boring is what’s keeping you from drinking water, flavor or bubbles may be the answer. Adding fresh fruit or mint leaves to your glass or infuser water bottle (affiliate) is super fun and easy to do. And while there are many options for buying bubbly water out there, if bubbles are your thing, consider investing in a SodaStream (affiliate). It will save you a ton of money in the long run, and you can better control flavors if you choose to add them. (Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash)
