Drinking ample water has drastic health benefits. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and we need to replenish our sources daily. We’ve all heard that we need to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. That equals out to about half a gallon, or 64 ounces every day! It can be difficult to make sure that you consume enough. Our average drinking glasses aren’t measured, and a water faucet isn’t always nearby. So how do we make sure to increase our water intake each day?

1. Carry a measured water bottle around: Drinking eight glasses of water a day sounds impossible. When you drink two bottles of water a day, it seems much more realistic. Know exactly how much water you are taking in with a measured water bottle. You can see exactly how much you have consumed, and how much more you need to go to hit your daily goal.
2. Flavor your water: If you don’t care for the taste of water, then add in a flavor that you do like. Making the water more palatable will make you more likely to drink it. There are tricks like adding in fruit and herbs for a refreshing blend. Strawberries, lemon, lime, oranges, watermelon, cucumbers, basil, and dill are all great additives to give the water a fresh zing. If you’re looking for a more low maintenance flavoring, then there are powders and squeeze bottles that allow you to quickly flavor the water.
3. Have water with every meal: With every meal you have, drink a glass of water with it. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner should always be accompanied with a glass of water. It becomes easier to track how much water you drink, when you already know that you are going to have 4-5 glasses of water with every meal.
4. Drink a glass of water before you eat: Before you pile your plate high with food, drink a glass of water. It will help you curb your appetite, and it’ll help your digestion. Getting in a few more glasses of water should cover the rest of the glasses of water that you need to consume in the day.
5. Pair other beverages with a glass of water: There are a few beverages that we love: Coffee, tea, sodas, wine, and beer are all things that we indulge in from time to time. Each of those provides some hydration, but it also can dehydrate you and add in unwanted calories. To counterbalance the diuretic effects of those beverages, have a glass of water with your favorite drink.
6. Set reminders: If you are struggling with drinking enough water, then set alarms on your phone to go off throughout the day. It’ll remind you of how much you’ve consumed, and when you sit down and drink some water. You can also put out notes for yourself in highly visible areas like the fridge door. Placing it there will encourage you to grab for the water instead of the cokes.

Water lubricates our joins, cleans out our system, and helps our brain and muscles move. Drinking the adequate amount of water helps you stay sharp and healthy. The 8 by 8 rule is a good guide, but we each need different amounts of water depending on our size, the weather, and our activity level. When in doubt, drink more water!