5 easy tips to help you stay hydrated

Staying hydrated can be tough, especially when you’re leading a busy life. But to stay in good shape, you need to keep your water levels up. Dehydration has been linked to serious health problems including UTIs, diabetes and even cancer. 

Here’s why hydration is important and easy tips to help you stay hydrated through the day.

Why is hydration important?

Maintaining the fluid and electrolyte balance in your body is essential for healthy living. Minor changes in the water content of the body’s cells can cause serious changes to cell function and metabolism. 

The most common type of dehydration is hypertonic dehydration, where more fluid is lost from the body than electrolytes. Hypertonic dehydration is most commonly caused by not drinking enough water and excessive sweating, but it can also be a result of taking diuretics and laxatives. 

A European hydration research study found that approximately 20% of men and women were dehydrated.

Not drinking enough water is linked to a wide range of different disorders, including:

• Diabetes
• Constipation
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Bladder cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

On the flip side, drinking more water has been linked to better skin, higher levels of alertness and even more patience and motivation.

How to stay hydrated

Hydration is hugely beneficial for the body but it’s not always easy to stay hydrated during the day. 

Here are 5 tips to help you stay hydrated.

Take water out with you

For many people, dehydration hits when you’re out of the house. Over the course of a busy day, it’s easy to forget to drink water. Having water with you all the time is one way to prevent dehydration. 

Keep a bottle in your bag and take regular sips during the day, making sure to refill it whenever you can - it all adds up!

Try flavouring your water

If you find the taste of plain water boring, you could try flavouring your water. Experiment with different combinations like mint and cucumber, strawberries and apple or lemon and orange. Simply slice up your ingredients and add to a bottle or jug of water. 

The flavours will infuse naturally and liven up every sip! You can also benefit from the antioxidants in the fruit.

Drink more tea

Tea is also a great way to boost your hydration during the day. Opt for caffeine-free blends such as rooibos, camomile or peppermint. Herbal teas can also deliver other health benefits like aiding relaxation and helping to soothe your stomach - it’s a win-win!

If you don’t like tea, you could opt for diluted fruit juice or even milk to mix it up.

Get a hydration buddy

Sometimes you need a reminder to drink water! Get yourself a hydration buddy to remind you to drink more during the day. 

Partner up with a colleague or someone you live with and you can both help each other out! Whenever you notice their glass is empty, refill it and ask them to do the same!

Keep a bottle on your desk

Do you ever step away from your desk at the end of the day and realise you haven’t drank anything in hours? When you’re concentrating on tasks, it’s common to forget to take drink breaks.

To combat this problem, keep a big bottle or jug of water on your desk. You’ll drink much more than if you just have a glass and you probably won’t even realise you’re doing it!

You can also do the same in the evenings - keep a bottle or jug of water next to you when you’re watching Netflix. You’ll stay hydrated even while binge-watching your favourite shows!

Try these easy tips to help you stay hydrated even on the busiest days.

**At Free Soul, your wellbeing is our priority, and although we pride ourselves on our expertise in women's health and wellbeing, it is important to acknowledge the individuality of each person. Features published by Free Soul are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease, or replace the advice of your GP. We always recommend consulting with a healthcare provider if you encounter any health concerns, and we’ll always be here to support you so you’re never alone on your journey.