How I Remember to Stay Hydrated

We all know it's important to stay hydrated.

Our bodily systems need water to function properly (we're made up of an estimated 60% water!). It lubricates our muscles and joints, improves skin elasticity, filters waste from our bodies, and so much more. So why is it so hard for some people to drink enough water?

Well, sadly, I'm one of those people. If given the option between drinking water and a Diet Coke, I'd prefer the Diet Coke. Water is just... bland. Boring. Flavorless. To me, drinking water is something I have to force myself to do.

But you know what's harder that drinking water? Dealing with headaches, sluggishness, breakouts... you get it. I dealt with these things all the time, simply because I wasn't drinking enough water!

How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?

Every body is different - so the old "8 cups a day" rule isn't really an accurate measurement for how much water you should be drinking. A rule of thumb that I use is to drink half my body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, half of that would be 70 ounces. This is simply a guideline, not a harsh rule - but it's a helpful starting point. I actually drink more than what this rule requires - more on that below!

If you're not naturally inclined to drink water, it can be a chore to remember to hydrate. Since I'm a visual person, I use my water bottle to do the thinking for me! I've seen a few options out there including timer bottles to remind you to drink at certain times of the day. (This one's cute!) But I'll be completely honest - I'd still forget (ahem... neglect) to fill up a timer bottle!

Now, let me preface this by saying that I don't get paid for recommending this - I just simply love it! I use the 48 oz Bubba Envy Travel Mug, and here's why I love it. First of all, I know that it holds 48 ounces, and I know that I need at least 60 ounces in a day. Usually, for me to feel my best, I have found that drinking two full bottles a day makes me feel the best (that's 96 ounces total!). Again, since I'm a visual person, I can look at my bottle and immediately know whether or not I've had enough water. Plus, the straw makes drinking much easier.

The reason I always recommend Bubba is their lifetime guarantee. If anything on your bottle breaks or is defective, you can email pictures of the bottle to the company, and they'll send you another one completely free. So, if your bottle deforms in the dishwasher like mine did, send Bubba your pictures and they'll ship another one to you. I love that!

There are lots of other ways to remember to stay hydrated - this is just what has worked the best for me. If you have any tips, comment below - I'd love to see how other people get their ounces in.