5 Ways to Drink More Water Every Day

If you experience urinary incontinence, it’s tempting to hold back on consuming water and other drinks to try to minimize leaks. Not a good idea! Doing so can actually cause your urine to become more concentrated and irritate your bladder lining. The result? More leaks.

Besides keeping your kidneys and bladder healthy, water helps to regulate your body temperature, rid your body of waste and toxins, protect your brain, and cushion and lubricate your joints. It even contributes to your mood. Drink more fluids and you’ll be both healthier and – bonus! – happier.  

These five tips should help you reach the minimum daily intake of water that’s suggested by the Mayo Clinic – 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women.

Put it where you see it.

Are you one of those people that forgets to drink water because you don’t get thirsty? We get it! Life gets busy and you’re focused on the tasks at hand and don’t notice that you’re thirsty. The solution? Try ALWAYS keeping a colorful, FULL bottle nearby – on your desk, your nightstand, your coffee table. Carry it with you from place to place as a constant reminder to drink water throughout the day.

Make it more interesting.

There are plenty of bladder-friendly fruits, veggies and other flavorings you can add to your water to give it a light, interesting flavor. Try fresh cucumber and mint, or sliced pears and cinnamon stick. The recipe for “classic spa water” combines spring water with sprigs of mint, rosemary and cucumber. Simply add your fruit, veggies and/or herbs to a gallon of water and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, strain it (if needed), and fill your water bottles for the day.

Use the 1-to-1 rule when drinking coffee or alcohol.

While coffee and alcohol can both be bladder irritants, everyone’s sensitivities are different, so your bladder may or may not tolerate them. If you commit to drinking one glass of water with every cocktail, beer, wine or coffee, you’ll dilute them, making them less irritating, and you’ll get more water in over the course of the day.

Drink from larger glasses and bottles.

Research shows that people will consume more of both drinks and food if it’s served in larger size containers. Use that information to your advantage by using larger glasses for your water. With every meal, fill one of your larger glasses and drink it completely before you get up to clear the table. Those extra ounces count!

Develop a taste for herbal tea.

Dedicated tea drinkers will tell you how soothing a good cup of herbal tea can be. Plus, there are so many flavors that you’re bound to find something you enjoy. Try adding a hot cup of chamomile tea to your nightly routine, or Earl Grey for a mid-morning break at the office. Not only will you be adding to your fluid intake, several blends are known to reduce anxiety.

In whatever way works for you, make sure you drink – at least – the minimum recommended amount of water daily. Your body will thank you for it!

What about you?

What tricks do you use to make sure you drink enough water throughout the day?

Sources: Lifehacker.com, Self.com, CookingLight.com, Stylecaster.com, MayoClinic.com, IC-Diet.com, Ndtv.com