5 Ways to Drink More Water
By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc (Hons), ND
Commonly heard phrases at Forces of Nature:
“I know I need to drink more water!”
“I know I don’t drink enough water”
“I’m terrible at drinking water”
Why don’t we drink more water?
Here are some of the reasons given:
- Then I have to pee too often
- There won’t be a washroom nearby
- I don’t have water with me
- I can’t drink tap water
- I never get thirsty
- I don’t like the taste of plain water
While we can’t make a washroom be nearby when you need one, but we can help with most of the rest.
Why Do We Need to Drink More Water?
Dehydration can cause every system in your body to work at less than it’s full capacity. Your brain doesn’t work well, your joints and muscles aren’t well lubricated, skin cells aren’t as plump and full, your stool is drier and harder causing constipation, your kidneys can’t flush waste effectively, toxins build up in your body, your metabolism slows down and so on.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Water?
- Your brain works better when it’s well hydrated.
- Your joints have more cushioning. Did you know that the discs that cushion the ones of your spine are 80-90% water?
- Your muscles function better.
- Your skin looks plumper and less dry.
- Your stool is softer and easier to pass.
- Your kidneys can remove toxins from your system more efficiently.
- Your metabolism works better.
Six Solutions to Common Water Conundrums
- Drink more water for a week. The initial frequent trips to the bathroom often subside once your body becomes accustomed to regular water/fluid intake.
- Plan your water intake. You should be fine to have a couple of glasses of water as you are going out the door in the morning on your way to work. By the time you get to work you may need to use the facilities. During the day when you’re at the office should be fine, then in anticipation of the commute home, you may want to cut off water an hour before you leave and use the facilities before you go home regardless of whether you feel you need to.
- Invest in a good water bottle. I’m not a fan of plastic water bottles. I think that regardless of the type of plastic, some plastic chemicals end up in your water and also the bottles themselves are an environmental nightmare. A good stainless steel or glass water bottle is a good investment and if you take it with you it allows regular access to good water.
- Tap water or dehydration? Despite everything we hear about tap water, I think it’s still better to drink that than to be dehydrated.
- Start your day with water. For those who don’t get thirsty, your poor body may have given up on you providing it with water. Start the day with 2 cups of water. Most people tell me that they then feel more thirsty throughout the day, so they don’t have to “force” themselves to drink.
- Read my tips below to make water more appealing.
Five ways to make it more interesting and enticing so you drink more water:
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon, lime or orange into it.
- Slice some citrus up and add it to a pitcher of water, along with a few crushed mint leaves.
- Make iced herbal teas. Raspberry, peach, mint, lemon balm, green tea and strawberry all make cool, refreshing drinks for a hot day and don’t require any added sugar.
- Use unsweetened juice to make ice cubes, then pop one in a glass of water to keep your water cold and add a bit of fruit flavor to it.
- Add cucumber or melon slices to a pitcher of water for cool, refreshing water.
If you’re looking for more ways to optimize your diet or health, see one of our naturopathic doctors. If you’re looking to optimize your overall health, consider incorporating acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, chiropractic, massage therapy or psychotherapy to your health plan.