Not drinking enough water? 5 tips to ensure you stay hydrated

How much water should you drink a day? While the optimal hydration amount is still debated a lot, experts now opine that healthy men should have at least 13 cups of water and women, 9 cups, with one cup measuring 8 ounces. If you are in the habit of working out regularly or are exposed to warmer climates, you will need more water. You will also need more water if you are experiencing fever or diseases that cause loss of body fluids. It’s important to be aware that thirst is not the only sign to drink more water. Hunger, fatigue, and a bad mood can also be a sign to hydrate yourself better. If you are wondering how to ensure you drink enough water, here are a few tips:

Connect it to a routine
‘I will drink 2 mouthfuls of water every time I finish an assignment,’ or ‘1 cup of water after every toilet visit’ are some of the examples of connecting water intake to a routine. Some keep 'water intake alarms' every half an hour until it becomes a routine.

Invest in a smart bottle
From bottles that indicate water intake required within various times of the day to those that connect it to your smartphone, there are many bottles now that can make sure you drink enough water. You can also make a bottle yourself, by marking timings on it to finish water.

Flavour your water
Adding some sliced fruits or herbs can give your water a flavourful aroma and taste, making them more refreshing. Crushed berries, sliced lime, orange, cucumber or ginger can be used to flavour your water.

Drink herbal tea
Herbal tea is nothing but flavoured hot water, but it will give you the satisfaction of two in one cup. Drink a cup of it each in the morning and evening to give your day a refreshing twist. A big mug of it can hydrate you well for quite a while.

The ice cube trick
It’s said that we often eat and drink with our eyes too. Keep some colourful but easy-to-make ice cubes ready in your fridge. They can be made of pretty berries, fruit juices, edible flowers or leaves, or anything that goes well with water. Put a cub of it in your glass of water whenever you lack the motivation to hydrate and see the cube doing the trick.