Are you drinking enough water? Learn how water is essential for both mind and body.

5 ways to increase your water intake

Drinking water is essential to our everyday lives. While it's not nearly as tasty as our coffee shop favorite, it is necessary to keep our mind and body sustaining peak performance.

Why is water so important?

Water makes up 75% of the body and 85% of the brain, and is necessary for the body to digest, transport, and absorb the nutrients in food.

Water is required for breathing and for proper functioning of the cardiovascular system and is the main component of sweat. When sweat evaporates from the skin it takes some of the body’s heat with is, thus, it helps regulate our body's temperature. 

Water is essential to everyday life, especially if you live an active lifestyle. In addition to serving as calorie control by helping you feel fuller for longer, water energizes your muscles. Without water, our muscles shrivel up and fail to sustain peak performance.

How much water is enough?

There are many opinions on how much water is enough water but Healthline recommends eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.

  Why is dehydration such a big deal?

•  Dehydration has been shown to impair mental performance, short-term memory, and concentration.

• Dehydration places stress on the cardiovascular system.

• Dehydration inhibits insulin production, thus contributing to high blood sugar.

How can I avoid dehydration?

First, drink adequate amounts of water daily.  Second, avoid caffeinated coffee, tea, and sodas. These beverages are diuretics, which stimulate the formation of urine, which in turn reduces body fluids.

 5 Ways to Increase Your Water Intake

Increasing your daily water intake is as easy as making a few lifestyle adjustments to ensure you're getting those 64 ounces in. Some health authorities would even advise waiting to drink water until you're actually thirsty is waiting too long.

1. Drink water throughout the day.

Because people drink more often when it’s readily available, take bottled water with you to work, when running errands, to the movies, sporting events, everywhere!

2. Buy a water container that holds several servings of water.

Look for bottles with the ounces written on the side. It’s easier to track how much you’ve taken in that way!

3. Instead of drinking coffee or a diet soda, drink water.

If you are unwilling to give up your caffeinated beverages, at least drink a glass of water before

4. Drink water throughout your workout.

Keep water near you and take frequent sips. Don’t underestimate the amount of fluid lost through perspiration.

5. Start and end your day with water.

While sleeping, the body loses water, so drink a glass of water before bed and another in the morning.