Tips for Staying Hydrated, Healthy and Happy

In life’s day-to-day rush, it’s easy to forget to do the simple things that can keep us healthy. Like drinking water. But staying hydrated is essential for many reasons, especially as we get older, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA)¹.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)² reports that drinking your recommended daily dose of water can assist you in several ways. It helps you maintain a normal temperature, cushions your joints as you age, helps with urination and perspiration and even protects your spinal cord says the CDC³. That’s a whole lot of good from a few simple glasses of water.

Drink 8 Glasses Of Water Daily

So how much water should you drink? It’s recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day mentions the NCOA⁴. If you’re finding that hard to do, Everyday Health⁵ suggests having two glasses of water first thing in the morning, and then a glass of water before each meal. Many fruits and vegetables are high in water content Everyday Health⁶ notes, so that’s another great way to supplement your water intake. More specifically, fruits like cantaloupe, strawberries and watermelon have especially high water content per Everyday Health⁷.

The CDC⁸ also has some helpful tips for getting your recommended water intake, especially during the warm months of summer. These include:

• Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day
  
• Freeze water and take it with you for a refreshing break on hot days
• Make the water more tasty by adding a slice of lemon or lime says the CDC⁹
• Pick water when you dine out – it’ll save you money too

When you get your daily dose of H²O all sorts of healthy side effects are sure to follow reports the NCOA¹⁰. That includes better temperature regulation because you can produce sweat. And a healthier heart because water thins your blood making it less concentrated according to the NCOA¹¹. It also helps with joint pain, weight loss and your digestion states NCOA¹².

Not getting enough water can effect you as well but not in a good way. Even mild dehydration can make you feel fatigued, reduce your alertness and dampen your mood per Everyday Health¹³. It can also lead to constipation and kidney stones reports the CDC¹⁴.

Mixing It Up Might Help

If you get tired of drinking just water, maybe you should change things up. Tea, plain coffee, and sparkling or flavored water are all great low-calorie options says the CDC¹⁵. Just don’t swap out water for sugary or alcoholic drinks. They can do more harm than good mentions the CDC¹⁶.

Remember, men and women 60+ are at greater risk for dehydration according to the NCOA¹⁷. So follow the tips mentioned here and raise a glass of clean cool water to your health each and every morning. You’ll be glad you did.