Here’s 5 ways to make your New Year’s resolution to drink more water a whole lot easier. Photo: Shutterstock.
Some people just aren’t water people. No, I’m talking about swimming here, I’m talking about drinking water. For whatever reason, some people just can’t bear to sip on plain water. If you’re not the biggest fan of water, or if you’re just trying to form habits to drink more of it, give these tricks a try. By making small adjustments, you can up your intake and increase hydration with minimal effort.
Make a Drink of It
Try dressing up your water. Make it something special. Whether you’re having water with lunch or dinner, or just sipping on something at home throughout the day, try drinking your water out of a wine glass. Also, buy sparkling water instead of flat. There’s a wide selection of flavors to suit your taste, and you can always find sparkling water no matter where you shop. You can even dress your water up with a lime. You’re hydrating all the same, but you’re tricking your brain into that you’re consuming a delicious beverage.
Sip On It
Even if you don’t like drinking out of a water bottle at work, there’s another way to make sure you’re sipping on something all day. Put down the coffee, and give herbal tea a try. As long as it’s not packed with caffeine or sugar, tea is just as hydrating as water, and you won’t even realize how much water you’re drinking. Most offices have some kind of hot water heater, and you can change your tea selection over time to keep things fresh.
Make it Pretty
Sometime water’s plain, clear appearance just isn’t enough to pique your interest. Try tossing some berries, mint, or melon in your water. You can also add herbs like rosemary, peppermint, or lavender. A pop of bright color will catch your eye and remind you to finish the whole glass. Plus, you can test out various fruits and flavors to find a flavor that suits your taste buds as well.
Eat Your Water
So, you just really don’t like water. You’ve tried the three previous ideas, but they just don’t stick. Don’t give up. Make an effort to eat your water instead. Eat water dense foods like fruits and vegetables at each meal to ensure that you’re staying hydrated, even if you’re not gulping down glasses. Cucumbers, jicama, tomatoes, celery, carrots, or beets are all have high water content. Try eating these healthy fruits and veggies as afternoon snacks or using them as toppings for salads or sandwiches.
Put it on the schedule
Alright, you don’t like it, but you need it. Don’t bother sipping on it or even try to enjoy it; just put it on the schedule. Pick at least four specific times per day to drink a glass of water. It doesn’t have to be a big bottle, just a nice sized glass. It’s like a Band-Aid; the quicker you rip it off the quicker you can move onto something else. By no means do you need to have a chugging contest with yourself, but I do recommend sipping the drink briskly if you don’t enjoy it. That way you can be sure you don’t forget to finish the second half of it, and you can move on with the rest of your day.
