Many times, even if we are already used to drink water to the detriment of other sweet drinks, the current activities are so demanding that at the end of the day we realise we have not hydrated properly. Dehydration has obvious symptoms, depending on the seriousness: from headaches, tiredness, constipation to low blood pressure, arrhythmia and kidney disorders.
So how shall we “keep in mind” the precious glasses of water so important for our body’s functioning?
1. Associate water consumption with a pleasant habit
Until the morning coffee is ready, pour yourself a glass of water and have another one afterwards as well. Coffee, green tea and other stimulating drinks also quickly eliminate the water from the body which makes such association even more important. Are you watching your favourite programme/ movie? Bring a bottle of water close to you.
2. Water always close at hand
Generally, the main reason why we do not drink enough water is because it is out of our sight. If you are very busy and involved in activities that catch your attention, you will avoid taking a break to bring a full glass of water. This is why before sitting at your desk you should pay attention to also bring water. Thus, when you feel thirsty, it will much easier to choose the healthy option: on the desk, on your bedside table, next to your TV set, in the children’s room.
3. Inodorous, tasteless, colourless? Wrong!
For a lot of people, water has no taste and maybe it isn’t the most attractive drink, being preferred to sweet beverages or other soft drinks. We recommend you to cheer up your water consumption using a personalised bottle. It is preferable that it has minimum 1.5 litres or 2 litres in order to challenge you to drink throughout the day. You can also add a slice of lemon or mint. This is how the water will gain colour, smell and a pleasant taste, inviting to more glasses!
4. Drop by drop you get hydrated
If it has already been some time since you last drank water and you are already thirsty, this is a sign that your body is minimum 1% dehydrated. You will feel tempted to drink a lot in compensation but this is not how you will compensate for the lack of water because a large quantity at once cannot be retained and will be quickly eliminated. You will associate drinking water with going to the toilet which is not true. Try to drink rarely, in tiny sips regularly in order to be properly hydrated.
5. There’s an app for that
If nothing seems to work, don’t lose hope: there are applications that remind you to drink enough water. You mention the quantity you want to drink every day (please note: in summer it’s good to supplement by at least 0.5l) and they send you a notice. These applications work both for Android and for iOS and are already very popular.
Happy water drinking!