All living things require water to grow and reproduce. Drinking enough water every day is good for overall health! Water is the one of the healthiest and most refreshing drinks. It has zero calories, no added sugar and tastes great.
There are many good reasons to drink water:
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Drinking water can prevent dehydration. This happens when your body doesn't have as much water as it needs. Without enough water, your body can't function properly.
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Taking in enough water improves thinking, memory and creativity.
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Since water has zero calories, drinking it can help manage body weight and reduce caloric intake when substituted for drinks with calories, such as regular soda.
Those who drink water have fewer dental cavities than those who drink soda. A drink of water after meals rinses the mouth and restores a healthy oral environment.
Now that we know the importance and benefits of drinking water, let’s look at some ways to help you fit water into your day.
Start your day with a fresh glass of water
Enjoy a nice, fresh glass of water first thing in the morning. Get into the habit of downing a 6-8 ounce glass of water first thing in the morning. This healthy habit gives you a head start to make sure you drink enough throughout the day.
Pick a favorite water bottle
Choose a favorite water bottle, glass, jar, mug, etc and designate it as your special water vessel. Fill it up early in the day and make an effort to take sips as you go through your day. Refill as needed.
Freeze water bottles
If you are on the go and plan to be outside in the heat, prepare some water bottles by placing them in the freezer a couple hours before you head out. This will keep your water colder for a longer time period. You can even freeze bottles longer and use them as “ice packs” to keep water and other foods cold.
Jazz up your water
Some people don’t love the taste of water or think it is “boring.” There are easy ways to jazz up your water with natural flavors by using simple ingredients like berries, lemon or lime slices you may have on hand in your refrigerator, freezer or garden. Instead of loading up on sugary drinks, try some ideas listed here for tasty and healthy flavored water.
Set a timer
Sometimes we get busy and forget to drink water! And, oftentimes, we can become dehydrated before we even realize we are thirsty. If you are home, at work or in one place for an extended period of time, set a timer to go off every hour to remind you to rehydrate.
Cheers to healthy hydration!
