12 tips for drinking more water

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Do you find yourself dealing with headaches, achy limbs, and dry mouth throughout the day?

While you may think drinking 10 cups of coffee or tea is keeping you hydrated throughout the workday (and it is, to an extent), it’s not the same as drinking water.

If you’re not a fan of water, whether that’s because of the taste or consistency, then making sure you’re getting enough during the day can feel like an impossible task. However, there are things you can do to make it easier.

Your skin, digestion, energy, and focus will thank you for it!

How much water do you actually need?

There’s a lot of misinformation circulating around social media on how much water you actually need to drink in a day.

Since our body is made up of 60% water, you need to be constantly replenishing it to stay healthy and active. You’ve probably heard the “8 glasses a day” rule, but according to the NHS and health experts, daily fluid needs vary depending on your size, environment, diet, and activity levels.

While the NHS suggests drinking 6-8 cups of water a day, the following people should aim for a higher water intake:

  • Pregnant women
  • People who are physically active for long periods of time
  • People living or working in hot conditions
  • People recovering from illness

Here’s a general guideline for the average person:

  • Women are advised to consume around 2.7 litres (about 6 pints) of fluids per day.
  • Men are advised to aim for around 3.7 litres (just over 7 pints).

However, tea, coffee, milk, juice, and even water-rich foods like soup, fruit, and veg all count towards your daily total (just make sure water makes up the most of it!)

Signs you’re dehydrated

If you’re wondering whether that constant wave of tiredness throughout the day is from poor sleep or dehydration, then we’re here to clear things up.

Luckily, once you recognise the signs, it’s pretty quick and easy to notice whether or not you’re hydrating enough during the day.

  • If your mouth feels dry and sticky, and your lips feel chapped.
  • Light-headedness when you stand up or dull headaches.
  • Experiencing brain fog or struggling to stay productive.
  • Dark yellow or strong-odoured urine
  • Short memory and attention span
  • Dry, tight, or itchy skin

12 effective tips for drinking more water

So, you’re here because you want to get better at drinking water, right?

With our tips, you’ll be able to stay on top of your daily drinking goals, reaping all the benefits for a healthier and happier lifestyle.

1. Start your day with a drink

As soon as you wake up, instead of reaching for your phone, reach for a glass of water.

It helps to put a cup or water bottle next to your bed and fill it up the night before so you can reach for a drink throughout the night and first thing in the morning. Soon, it’ll become a cemented habit.

2. Always have water within reach

It’s easier to remember to drink water when you’ve constantly got a water bottle on hand.

Invest in one that comes with a litre scale so you can keep track of how much you’re drinking (even better if it comes with a timeline for each water goal you should be hitting at certain times of the day!)

3. Flavour naturally with fruit or herbs

If the bland taste of water is what puts you off, then there’s an easy solution. Fruit!

Cut up some cucumber, strawberries, or lemon and let it sit in the water for a while before drinking, or invest in a water bottle with a compartment to add fruit. You could even opt for some herbs like mint and basil for a refreshing kick.

4. Drink a glass before every meal

This one’s easy to remember, and it helps with digestion, too!

Drinking a small glass of water before you eat can help overcome unnecessary snacking and improve hydration without you even trying. Plus, it cleanses your palate before your meal.

5. Set hourly water reminders

For this, your phone, smartwatch, or calendar will come in handy.

Set a small reminder to drink every hour or two when you’ve got a spare minute; just a few sips add up over the day.

In fact, apps like WaterMinder or Hydro Coach make tracking easy and a bit fun.

6. Alternate between water and other drinks

If you’re struggling to stay hydrated with just a glass of water, then add some variety with fruit juice, tea, or coffee.

Completely ditching what you like will just set you up for failure, so it’s best to make small changes that you can manage. Plus, other forms of drink still count toward getting your water intake up (as long as you’re not substituting them completely for water).

7. Eat your water

You heard us. Consuming drinks isn’t the only way to stay hydrated.

When you add water-rich food to your diet, you can stay hydrated without needing to chug numerous glasses of water every hour. Some foods to eat include:

  • Cucumber
  • Tomatoes
  • Lettuce
  • Melon
  • Soup or broth
  • Courgettes
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries
  • Melon

In fact, these foods can contribute 20–30% of your daily fluid intake.

8. Pair water with routine activities

Sometimes, the best way to adopt a new habit is by pairing it with something you already love or need to do.

For example, every time you go to brush your teeth, fill up a glass of water to drink beforehand. Or when you go to read a book, grab your water bottle and fill it up to drink while reading.

It’s a way of tricking your brain into making a connection between the two things. Go to do one, you’ll remember to do the other.

9. Add fizz (if plain feels too bland)

If you’re used to flavoured drinks, juices, or the occasional fizzy drink, water can feel… a bit dull.

But the good news is that hydration doesn’t have to be flat. Instead, opt for sparkling water for that little extra dopamine rush. It’s perfect for when you’re craving a fizzy drink, and it’s so much healthier.

Plus, the bubbles add a texture and sensation that can trick your brain into feeling like you’re drinking something more indulgent.

10. Use a water bottle you actually like

You’d be surprised how much the effectiveness of the appearance of something can determine how much we use it.

When you like the way your water bottle looks, or you want to show the unique design to all of your friends and colleagues, then you’re more inclined to carry it with you everywhere.

Some even become an emotional support water bottle, offering comfort during your daily activities.

11. Reward yourself for hitting your daily water goals

If you give yourself a little treat every time you complete your daily water goal, like buying one small thing you’ve wanted or taking a relaxing bath.

Sometimes, even going back to a gold sticker star chart is a useful motivator! When you’ve got something to look forward to after completing a task, you’re more likely to do it and continue to stay on track.

12. Join or start a workplace hydration challenge

Sometimes, a little friendly competition is all you need to give yourself the push to do something you’d otherwise forget about.

You can set a timeframe, track everyone’s daily water intake on a whiteboard in the office, and offer small incentives, like a reusable water bottle or a small trophy, to keep people engaged.

It’s a great way to promote health, boost morale, and have a little fun during the stressful week.

Why having a water cooler makes a difference

How often do you have to trek to the office kitchen to refill your cup with unfiltered, poor-tasting tap water?

That’s where a water cooler or dispenser changes everything.

When placed next to office desks and work areas, it makes getting a drink quicker and more convenient and serves as a reminder to hydrate. Plus, our spring water is free from limescale and chlorine so that you can enjoy fresher-tasting water.

With our hot water taps, you can even prepare hot drinks in seconds! By investing in a Cool Water Company cooler, you’re not just buying equipment. You’re creating a healthier, more hydrated workplace where people feel better, think clearer, and perform at their best.