Drinking Enough Water
/The summer heat in northern California is in full effect.
Here in Chico, and throughout the Sacramento valley, we've been having quite a few days with triple digit temperatures.
Since I practice yoga and work out most days, this means I've been increasing my water intake to stay hydrated.
Today I wanted to share five simple tips for how to keep up your hydration routine and set a healthy habit for drinking water each day.
As you find the right balance for water intake, you'll notice some amazing effects: you feel more energized and motivated, your digestion improves, and you have more stamina for your workouts.
Five Tips to Ensure You're Drinking Enough Water in the Summer
1. Get a water bottle you love. My current favorite is my Kor Sport Water Bottle. It's the perfect size to bring with me to yoga class or on a hike, and I love the sleek design. It may sound silly, but having a water bottle I love actually motivates me quite a bit to drink water. (Side note: I got to try an early release of the kick-ass filtration system that Kor is launching next month via their IndieGogo campaign. This thing is pretty incredible: KOR+ removes impurities with a coconut carbon filter, infuses water with antioxidant properties, and adds essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium. It's basically water turned into 'Wonder Woman water!')
2. Mix it up. Go for sparkling water or infused flavored water if you're feeling bored by the thought of plain water. Also consider adding in some unrefined mineral salt, such as pink Himalayan salt, or a squeeze of lemon, to help boost your absorption. My favorite sparkly waters are LaCroix lime and San Pellegrino sparkling natural mineral water.
3. Throughout the day, sip on room temperature water, and only drink a little bit during meals. Ayurvedic wisdom teaches us that chugging as much water as you can doesn't necessarily mean you'll absorb it. It's better to drink lukewarm water than ice water, since the cold temperature can affect the enzymes in your stomach which help you digest food, meaning you cause your body to work harder than it needs to work. If you're eating out, consider asking for water without ice.
4. Have a few set times in the day when you always drink water. For me, this is first thing in the morning, while I'm driving in my car, and whenever I'm at my desk. I keep my water bottle with me when I'm out and about, so that I avoid becoming thirsty or needing to purchase water at the store. At home, I've always got a glass of water on my desk and I refill it as soon as it's empty. Having these little daily reminders of, "Oh, now is the time to drink water!" help me stay hydrated.
5. Sip water during your workouts. Especially if you know you're going to be doing a challenging workout or a hot yoga class, remember to bring your water bottle! Take small sips throughout the workout, and afterward. Your body will thank you!
Here's to staying hydrated this summer!
If you have any tips about water intake, I'd love to hear in the comments below.
PS Other ideas for how to beat the heat this summer.
And some interesting reading on water intake:
- Dr. Axe's 4 reasons you should drink enough water
- Dr. Axe on whether alkaline water is legit or just hype
- Lifehack's signs that you're not drinking enough water
- Ayurvedic tips for staying hydrated from Elephant Journal.