The health benefits of water are indisputable. Water in the body carries oxygen and nutrients to every cell and tissue in the body, regulates body temperature, flushes out toxins and helps keep the skin looking vibrant and younger.
In addition to plain water, there are many other fluid sources for the body too. These include commercially manufactured water, fruit juices, coffee, tea, soups, water-rich fruits and vegetables. But nothing beats the goodness of plain water.
Not sure how much water should be drunk each day? Well, most doctors and health experts commonly recommend drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water everyday. Here are some strategies to drink more water.
Start the Day with a Glass of Water
Try drinking a glass of hot water with a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon first thing in the morning. This gives the digestion a boost as well as giving the water a refreshing flavor.
Make Water Constantly Available
Keep water within reach at all times. Have a bottle of water on the office desk, in the car and on the side table in the bedroom. Those frequently on the move should also pack a small bottle of water in the handbag. If there are children in tow, make sure there are water bottles in their backpacks as well.
Spread Out Water Intake
Some people forget to drink regularly during the day and try to make it up by gulping down a few glasses of water at one go late in the evening. Avoid that. Spread out water intake throughout the day. Make it a point to drink in the morning, at noon, in the afternoon and evening or after each visit to the toilet.
Create a Water Intake Schedule
If remembering to drink more water is a real problem, create a water intake schedule. For instance, drink a glass of water first thing in the morning after waking up, after breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, and so on. Need more reminding? Try using the “Drink More Water” reminder tool downloadable from the WaterAid website. It’s a great tool for those who spend a great deal of time in front of the computer.
Have Water with Other Beverages
When eating out, those who just have to drink other beverages such as alcohol, coffee or tea should always order a glass of water as well. Try alternating the beverages with water as some of them can cause dehydration.
Adjust Temperatures of Drinking Water
On summer days, keep a jug or bottle of water in the refrigerator so that there is always chilled drinking water available. On cold winter days, drink warm plain water instead of hot coffee or tea to keep warm.
Keeping the body hydrated is easy. To drink more water everyday, make water constantly available, spread out water intake throughout the day, create a water intake schedule, have water with other beverages and adjust the temperatures of drinking water accordingly.
Wei Yin Wong - I started my working life as a reporter at an English daily called The Sun in Malaysia 16 years ago, writing health-related articles. ...
