7 Tips to Help You Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day ...

If you have ever tasted funky water then you know exactly what I am talking about. The truth is some water tastes and smells like sweaty feet. I’d rather not sip on that. If you don’t care for the taste of water, you probably aren't going to drink it, and you surely aren't going to drink enough of it to stay properly hydrated. That is why you need to find water that tastes good to you. Try different taps, filters and bottled waters to find one that you like best. Keep reading for more tips to help you stay hydrated.

Do you realize that your brain is made mostly of water? That is why one of the first signs of dehydration is a headache. According to WebMD, you may also feel tired and dizzy due to lack of hydration. Another sign is dark urine. If you are properly hydrated your urine should be light yellow or clear; anything else means you need to drink more water.

If your fridge is packed with sodas, chocolate milk, orange juice and energy drinks then you are more likely to reach for one of those instead of a glass of water when you are thirsty. While some of these other options may taste great and quench your thirst for the moment, they won’t do much to keep you hydrated. Add a pitcher of cold water or a few bottled waters to the mix. Reach for the water and save the flavored drinks for special treats.

Hopefully you took my advice and actively looked for a water that you enjoy the taste of on its own. Fortunately you don’t have to stick to just drinking that plain old water. You can add a little natural flavor to your water with fruit. Some people like to keep sliced apples or cucumber in their water for a fresh taste. Other like to squeeze a little lemon or lime juice. Don’t be afraid to try new things. If it helps you drink more water, it can’t be bad.

Sometimes we confuse thirst with hunger. Our bodies are tricky and if you aren't used to drinking lots of water, you may be mistaking feelings of thirst as hunger. Instead of giving in every time you feel the urge to eat, especially between meals, why not try drinking a glass of water first? Drinking water can easily take away what you thought was hunger.

While most of us need 64 to 80 ounces of water each day to stay hydrated, active people need even more. If you work out, play a sport, or have a physically demanding job, you probably need 100 ounces of water each day to make up for the amount of water you lose sweating.

When you are first getting the hang of drinking water and staying hydrated, it may not seem natural to drink that much fluid in one day. You will find yourself forgetting to drink. Why not set a timer on your cellphone to remind you to drink a glass of water every hour? When the timer goes off, get up to pour yourself a fresh glass and try to finish it before the timer goes off again. Eventually drinking water all day will become second nature.

How do you remember to stay hydrated and drink the appropriate amount of water? I would love to hear your water drinking tips and hydration advice.