Quick Tip Tuesday: Get Hydrated!

We have all heard the statistic that our bodies are about 75% water, so why do we so often fail to stay hydrated? Drinking enough water can help us feel more awake during the day, keep our skin clear, ward off headaches, help us feel full and therefore not overeat, and so much more! The average person needs about 64oz of water each day, even more if you work out, or are pregnant or nursing. Forgetfulness, being too busy, and lots of other things keep us from staying hydrated but I think that just one main reason is to blame:

Water is boring.

It doesn't have that fizzy delicious feeling like a cold Coke, doesn't put a spring in your step like coffee, or taste like a treat like something bright colored might. I get it! If boring water is getting you down, check out these delicious and fun tips to jazz up your H2O.

Race the Clock!

Get a couple of cheap water bottles and use a sharpie to mark times down the side. When that time hits, you must have sipped down to the marked line! If you haven't, take a couple minutes and drink up!

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Accessorize!

Get a cute water bottle that you like carrying with you! Yes, water is available everywhere for free at pretty much all times, but I find I am much more successful with my daily water intake if I bring my own water bottle everywhere. Order something cute with your kids' pictures, add a cute bow, or even order a cup from one of your favorite designers, like the Vera Bradley cups below. Better yet, get one with a straw built in so you don't even have to unscrew a lid to sip your water!

Warm Up!

Warm water is a surprisingly delicious treat! Boil water and add to a mug with some of the yummy infused water ingredient ideas below. Lemon and mint in hot water are my favorite!

Set Your Alarm!

Since we are already so busy looking at our smart phones, we might as well use them for good! I love the Daily Water app for iPhone. It allows you to set your water goals and reminds you to have a glass several times throughout the day. The water pouring sound effects and little checkmarks you get when you log your water intake are so satisfying for some reason! Its those little things that keep me going! :) 

Infuse It!

If infused water is your thing, grab a water bottle with a built in compartment for your yummy add-ins. This one has some awesome reviews on Amazon. Here are a couple things I love to add!

-Lemon juice: I like some serious zip to my water, so I squeeze about half a lemon into my water bottles before heading to work.
-Mint leaves: For even mintier water, chop or crumple the leaves a little before sprinkling in.

-Strawberries: These juicy berries are perfect for a little sweetness and flavor without giving up the healthy benefits of water in favor of juice.

-Basil: It might sound strange, but basil has a wonderful spice to it that makes ordinary water seem like a treat!

-Orange: If you don't mind a little pulp, the meat of an orange is a totally delish addition to a glass of water. If using a full orange slice in your infuser, be sure to thoroughly wash the rind.

Be careful!

While there are lots of great ways to enjoy your daily ounces, there are some tips out there that aren't great for you. 

-Mio, Crystal Light, and other powder or liquid additives contain artificial colors and flavors and aren't good for you! You might as well drink fruit juice or soda if you're using those!
-Essential Oils are not intended for use in water! Some EO companies and reps recommend this but it is not a safe way to use these powerful and highly concentrated homeopathic remedies. More information on that here.

Thanks for checking in for this Tuesday's quick tip! Grab some water, drink up, and I'll see you here on Friday for my first product review! FREE snacks in the mail. You're gonna love this one :)

xo Allison