Let’s Start Simple – Get in the Habit of Drinking More Water 

Small habits and routines that are beneficial to our lives will move us forward on our PATHS. The habit I’m focusing on right now is drinking water to keep myself hydrated each day. Drinking enough water can be difficult, but you know it’s good for you. Life gets busy, and water isn’t necessarily the most flavorful of beverages. However, drinking adequate amounts is one of the best things you can do for your health. You’ll avoid dehydration and have more energy when you stay hydrated. Read on to learn easy ways you can take small steps to get in the habit of drinking more water.

Add It to Your Routine

One way to make drinking a glass of water easy to remember is by attaching it to another part of your routine. You can easily get two glasses in by simply sitting a pitcher and cup next to your bed. Drink a cup as soon as you wake up and right before bed. Maybe you can place a water bottle on your desk at work to remind you to fill up when you arrive. I drink a glass at each meal and sip on my bottled water all day long. Find strategies that will work with your lifestyle.

Reward Yourself

Rewards are great motivators. Set yourself small goals for adding water to your routine. Give yourself a little prize each time you hit a milestone. Use this same concept if you want to take things up a notch by taking something away when you fail to meet your water intake. I record the number of glasses I have each day in my A Pilgrimage to Self planner, this helps keep me accountable.

Jazz It Up

If you don’t care for the taste of water, there are lots of things you can do to make it a bit more appealing. You can add fruit to your water. Lemon is a popular choice, but don’t be afraid to branch out. They even make special bottles that allow you to diffuse the fruit gradually into the water without making a mess. Cucumber is another refreshing option. Try switching to a fizzy alternative like club soda or sparkling water if you tend to prefer the taste of carbonated beverage.

Use Reminders

Sometimes we get busy and forget easily. This is especially true when just starting with a new habit. Don’t feel bad. Just set yourself some reminders at regular intervals throughout your day. Using your smartphone is easy. When the alarm sounds, take a break and grab a glass of water.

Go Hi-Tech

Some people really love their gadgets. If you’re one of them, go hi-tech with your water intake. Use a smartphone app to remind you to take a water break and to record your intake. There are even water bottles that come with their own app to do the tracking automatically.

Give some of these tips a try if you want to start drinking more water each day. Use the ones that fit your personality and lifestyle best in order to get results that stick. Good luck!

 Until next time...

Cheers!

Lisa