Everyone always preaches about how water can make you beautiful, give you clear skin, and slim your body. While this is true, the only problem is how do we drink so much water in one day every day for the rest of our lives? This was the biggest challenge for me especially in winter when it’s cold and all you want to do is drink warm teas and coffee which just makes things worse. Here are five great ways to stay hydrated throughout the day to enjoy the benefits of water for your health. After all, did you know our body is almost 60% water so it’s definitely needed!

Tip # 1 Spice it up!

Changing the flavor of water can encourage you to drink more. Maybe you’ve felt the same way but sometimes the taste of water can make me feel heavy and sick, but by changing its flavor I could drink it with no problem! Here are my favorite natural water flavoring tricks.

~ Add fresh lemon juice or a lemon wedge into ice cold water

~ Add peeled cucumber slices to give it a crisp fresh taste

~ In winter, warm the water with a little bit of lemon juice and honey

~ A few mint leaves sitting in your water is also a good way to calm an upset stomach and freshen the breath

Tip #2 Always by your side

I always keep a bottle of water close by and stored in every place I use. I have a stash in my car, bag, even in my desk at work. Every time I see it I take a drink even if I’m not that thirsty. Drinking just a little bit is better than downing the whole thing at once. Drinking too much in one sitting can have the opposite affect and will flush away all the nutrients from your meals, but drink every chance you have to reach your goal.

Tip #3 Warm in winter

During winter months its way too cold for water so in order to get my water intake and still stay warm I drink warmed water with lemon and honey. If its too much flavor water it down a little so a hint of the flavor remains. I drink and refill this throughout the day alternating with plain warm water and pack a few if I’m on the go to stay hydrated all day. After doing this for a few years already, I realized my body stays a lot warmer throughout the day and my joints are less stiff from extra tension. There are also many great recipes online if lemon and honey aren’t your favorite.

Tip #4 2x the water

For every cup of coffee, tea, or other dehydrating drink (especially alcohol) you should drink 2x the water to replace what you’ve lost. It was such a pain trying to stay hydrated when I drank so much coffee I just learned to cut down on the fake beverages by half. This surprisingly got rid of my headaches, my teeth were less yellow, and cavities were definitely less. If you love soft drinks like me just remember to double up on the water.

Tip #5 Choose your bottle wisely

Drinking water is just half the responsibility for maintaining our health, but also what we use to keep the water in is just as important. For years I used the same cheap recyclable water bottle for months only to realize that when stored in heat the plastic begins to break down in the water which can be hazardous for our health. For recyclable bottles I recommend only using them a couple of times then moving onto the next. It might be worth investing in a few good reusable bottles and thermos for your health and its good for the environment too!

Look for a bottle that can be easily opened and cleaned to prevent bacteria from getting in and one that isn’t painted on the inside or contains any metal that’s deemed hazardous such as lead. I’ve used “Klean Kanteen” style bottles which seem to work the best. Since this brand can be a little expensive there are other cheaper brands available just check that they are made of the same materials.

With these five tips you can increase the healthy benefits of adding more water into your daily routine. You will find your body is more balanced and full of energy. Water has great properties to keep your skin clear, cleanse your body of impurities, and makes you feel great. If you have tips of your own for how to encourage drinking water share below and let the world hear it!

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