Hydration Hacks: 5 Simple Ways to Amp Up Your Water Intake and Boost Your Health
Hydration is key when it comes to regulating your hormones and greater health. Proper hydration and electrolyte balance serves as the foundation for many of our cellular processes, so turn your attention here if you are looking to curb hormonal symptoms and lose stubborn weight. Our energy levels are directly linked to how well we are hydrated as our cells need balanced hydration to function! Hydration really isn’t about how many ounces of water you drink (although that certainly plays a part) but how easily water and electrolytes make it into your cells. Two key electrolytes, sodium and potassium, control what gets in and out of your cells. Simply remember this: minerals + water help hydrate you more than just water by itself. Here are five ways to help boost your intracellular hydration!
Sip throughout the day. Start your morning out right with a full glass of water and aim for an intake of about 8 ounces per hour throughout the day, stopping an hour or two before bed to prevent disrupting your sleep. This helps make sure that the water gets absorbed by your body and doesn’t go straight through you!
Eat more water. Hydration isn’t just about what you drink, it’s about what you eat. The Standard American Diet tends to leave out the basis of proper hydration: eating your water. So, include a high water content fruit or vegetable at each meal to nourish your body with essential vitamins and minerals. The water in fruits and vegetables is slower to release into your body than just water by itself, so you’re less likely to release this water intake all at once. Try adding cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, spinach, squash, oranges and strawberries to your plate.
Add a dash of salt and lemon to your water. Not only does this make your water more appealing to drink, it can help hydrate you on a cellular level. This is especially helpful if you find that you’re running to the bathroom many times throughout the day when you’re increasing your water intake. The minerals help the water “stick” in your system! If you don’t have lemons on hand, a dash of any juice will do the trick.
Drink herbal teas. This is such an easy way to increase your water intake because who doesn’t love a great cup of tea? One of my favorite routines is having a warm cup of herbal tea when I wake up and a few hours before bed. Teas are full of minerals so they are an added boost to your hydration.
Use an electrolyte like LMNT. I love using LMNT because they use a mix of sodium, potassium and magnesium to hydrate you at a cellular level, without added sugar. Electrolytes are a very important piece of maintaining your hydration, especially when you’re working out or using the sauna. That’s why Gatorade was so popular as a sports drink after all—we don’t want all of that extra stuff they put into it though! This is also my go-to on travel days and long drives where I don’t want to have to stop to use the bathroom frequently. I always get the raspberry salt flavored LMNT. It tastes so good I’ve had it daily for over a year! I buy it from Thrive Market—by far the best price I have found for my go-to electrolyte.
Staying hydrated doesn’t have to be difficult, just take it slow and incorporate these five habits into your daily routine. Remember, small changes can lead to big results when it comes to your health. With proper hydration, you’ll be feeling more energized in no time!
