11 genius tricks to guarantee you’ll drink enough water

Some people actually drink too much water.  And believe it or not, there can be too much of a good thing. But most of us could stand to drink more water. If you want to increase your H2O intake to get all the benefits of drinking enough water, here’s what you can do.

Here’s an easy trick to find out how much water you require to stay hydrated: measure how much water it takes throughout the day to ensure that the colour of your urine is somewhere between light yellow and clear. Then monitor your water intake to make sure you’re drinking that amount every day. Some people prefer pen-and-paper tallies and charts. Others use apps such as Waterlogged, Water Your Body, or Daily Water.

Although temperature preferences vary from person to person, you’re generally likely to drink more water if it’s refrigerator-cold, according to dietician Joanne Larsen. “I freeze water in an empty milk bottle in the summer and take it out in the morning when gardening,” she says of her own routine.

Check out these brilliant uses for ice cubes you’ll wish you knew sooner.

If you ever find yourself craving something different, try adding different flavourings to your water. “Using a water bottle with an infuser is a great way to naturally flavour your water, and it can be fun,” says dietitian Karen Sechowski. “Lemons and limes are always good, plus they’re in the grocery store year-round at a reasonable price. When berries are in season, I like to use those.” Some other tasty options include mint, cucumber, basil, orange, lavender, watermelon, and even a splash of fruit juice.

If you change your routine to drink enough water you’ll also change your body. Willpower alone might not be enough to keep up a hydration routine. If you keep forgetting to guzzle down your recommended doses of water, set timers, or alerts, on your phone to remind you to drink periodically throughout the day. Bonus points if you set your alert ringtone to water-themed songs.

If you need a system that’s even more rigorous, use a permanent marker to draw water levels and specific deadlines on your bottle so you’ll know how much water you should have drunk by any given time of the day. Follow your ‘hydration schedule’ to the T, and don’t forget to keep refilling your water bottle.

There’s a reason drinks in restaurants are almost always served with straws: you tend to drink more water in a shorter amount of time if you use a straw. Apply the same trick to your water routine, and you’ll be well-hydrated before you know it!

Always thirsty? Here are some unexpected reasons why.

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a glass of water after some particularly spicy curry or dynamite chicken fajitas? Kick-start your taste buds and make yourself thirstier by eating more spicy dishes. The water you gulp down might not settle the burning sensation in your mouth, but at least it will make you reach for more water.

The more you love your water bottle, the more likely you are to use it every day. Whether you prefer big or small, sporty or cute, or plastic or stainless steel, there’s a perfect reusable bottle out there for you. Instead of refilling a disposable water bottle (which isn’t a good idea), find a reusable water bottle you like and use it all the time.

Don’t miss these facts about bottled water.

“Remember that thirst is not a good indicator of hydration status,” says Larsen. By the time you’re thirsty, your body has already lost enough water to reduce your work performance by 30 per cent, says Larsen. Nip that fatigue in the bud by guzzling water throughout the day. Carry a water bottle everywhere – having it at your side is a constant reminder to drink up and stay hydrated.