Not Drinking Enough Water? Six Ways To Make It Less Wishy-Washy

We’ve all got ‘em. Those important self-care things that make a difference in our work performance and our attitude.

I’ve written about mine in the past, and in this post I’m going to get a little more granular with one of the items on my list: Eating smart.

Well, not specifically eating smart…but drinking smart. Drinking water that is.

You’ve heard of “whistle while you work.” While that might boost your mood (and/or totally drive your colleagues insane), drinking water while you work is far more important. Hydration, even for those of us with cushy desk jobs, can make a big difference in how well we function.

Our bodies are made of approximately 60% water. And according to Health.com, lose just 1.5% of that and you could be facing mild dehydration.

If I haven’t had enough water throughout the day, I feel it physically and cognitively. I can’t concentrate well; I get a headache; I become a bit irritable.

Those side effects are signs of dehydration, and here are a few other symptoms you might experience if you’re not drinking enough water:

• Bad breath
• Feeling tired
• Constipation

Nobody needs that.

Falling short?

Odds are you’re not getting enough water.

According to a 2013 study referenced by a story on ABCnews.com, 43% of men and 41% of women in America don’t take in the US Institute of Medicine’s recommended daily amount of water (128 oz. for men and 96 oz. for women).

But what if you’re one of those people who doesn’t find water’s blatant blandness appetizing?

I like water, but admit that it can become a little boring. Fortunately, I’ve found ways to jazz it up and make it a joy rather than a drag to drink.

Six Tips For Making Water Less Wish-Washy

• Add mint—fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves (or drops of natural mint extract)
• Add a slice of citrus—lime, lemon, orange, or pink grapefruit
• Add berries—strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries or another favorite
• Add cucumber slices
• Add sweet basil leaves
• Mix it up—add mint and cucumber, or basil and mint, or cucumber and berries, or orange and basil…You get the idea.

By the pitcher, water bottle, or single serve glass, you’ll get the most flavor if you let your water infuse for a few hours. (But I admit I’m typically impatient and drink it after just minutes of infusing it.)

Drinking enough water is absolutely way up there on my list of daily wellness must dos. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to feel and perform better physically and mentally. Do you struggle with downing adequate amounts of H20? Perhaps you’ll find it more tastefully interesting (and find drinking it less of a task) if you try infusing it.

Give it a go, and comment here to let me know which flavors are your favorites.