*Download the handy dandy hydration guide which includes how to stay hydrated and the health benefits of drinking water.
water – not just for feeling better after a big night out
Turns out water does a whole lot more than just sit pretty in fancy bottles, make us feel human again if we’ve had too much wine the night before and helping keep us from keeling over while exercising.
I’m kidding. Of course I know water is so important for our bodies to function, but I never really knew just how much it helped our ENTIRE body.
Water helps keep our bodies functioning at their best. I’m no doctor (I know, you’re shocked, right?) but I did do a ton of research for yall. I’m hoping this helps give you a little nudge to get in the daily recommended water (or, just drinking more of it).
how much water do we really need to stay hydrated?
I’ve always heard the 8 ounces of water 8 times a day is the key to keeping your body hydrated. I’ve also heard to take your weight, divide by two and that number (in ounces) is what you need to consume (IE: for easy math purposes – You weight 120 pounds, divided by 2 = 60 ounces of water).
Seems like that should be such an easy task to accomplish, right? I’m going to go out on a limb and say most of us aren’t doing that. For those of you that are sipping the correct amount, kudos to you! That’s awesome!
I’ll admit it. I’m HORRIBLE about drinking “plain” water. Me getting in the basic 8 glasses of water 8 times a day, is usually a BIG. FAT. NO. GO. So me drinking my weight in ounces, divided by two, in water, is just laughable. I do drink a bunch of organic green tea, but nothing tops good ole’ faithful plain water.
water and hydration
The amount of water you should drink each day varies from person to person. Factors like climate and how active a person is should be taken into consideration.
Obviously if someone exercises, they will need more water than someone who isn’t as active.
It’s sweltering hot and humid in Charleston in the summer and I almost always have something nearby to drink (now, it will definitely be more H20)! Right now it’s a balmy 90° with a heat index of 101° (no, I’m not kidding lol).
Someone who lives in a much cooler region probably won’t consume as much water as someone who is sweating their booty off. You see where I’m going with this.
What are some health benefits of drinking water?
So, what exactly does water do for our bodies? Besides keeping us hydrated, water aids in keeping our organs operating at their best. Our heart, cells, tissue and organs need water to function properly.
1. water is awesome for our kidneys
According to a US News and World Report article, water helps our kidneys remove waste from your bloodstream and take out the “trash” in the form of urine. It also helps keep our blood vessels dilated, allowing them to nourish the kidneys with essential nutrients.
One good way to see if you are hydrated enough? Your urine. I know. Kind of gross, 🤢 but it’s one of the best indicators that you are slurping down enough liquid goodness. If your urine is pale yellow and odorless, that’s a good sign.
If your urine is darker in color and the odor has increased, that’s a telltale sign you need more water.
2. Water Helps prevent constipation
Water helps keep things moving in the digestion area, too. If you are well hydrated, it will be much easier for you to “go” 💩, and not be constipated.
3. Water Regulates your body Temperature
In an article I read from Healthline, staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining your body temperature. Your body loses water through sweat during physical activity and in hot environments.
Your sweat keeps your body cool, but your body temperature will rise if you don’t replenish the water you lose. That’s because your body loses electrolytes and plasma when it’s dehydrated.
4. water is great for your skin
Yall know I’m all about keeping my skin healthy, and water and moisture are GREAT for the skin. If you are dehydrated, your skin can lose its firmness and elasticity, and start to sag. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
5. Water Helps Your Heart
I found this to be the most interesting health benefit of drinking water. Water is very beneficial when it comes to our heart health.
According to heart.org, if you are staying properly hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. Blood carries oxygen to different parts of the human body. Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles.
WAYS TO STAY HYDRATED (a little help so you can reap the health benefits of drinking water)
There are plenty of ways to make sure you are staying properly hydrated throughout the day. Water isn’t the only way to stay hydrated. I know drinking plain water can get a little boring for some people.
fruits and veggies are filled with water
Enter fruits and veggies. So many are filled with mostly water and can definitely aid in getting us to our daily water consumption goal.
smoothies
You can make a smoothie and pack it full of water-dense fruits and veggies. Add ice, coconut water, milk, or whatever you like in your smoothies. Such an easy way to get in your liquids.
always have a water bottle on hand
I know, I know. Thanks, Captain Obvious! But, honestly, I almost always have a water bottle or drink with me wherever I am. It might be organic tea, or sparkling water, but if I always have it on hand, I’m constantly drinking it throughout the day.
fruit infused water can help you stay hydrated
They have so many reusable water bottles (that are BPA free!) that allow you to spruce up your water by infusing fruit into it. I have a bunch of options in this guide for you. And, so many of them are under $20!
use a smart water bottle to help keep you properly hydrated
Yes, there’s even an app for that! Seriously. Do they really have an app for everything 🤔? A smart water bottle is an awesome way to get a clear overall picture of your daily water intake.
Since it connects via Bluetooth to your phone, most of these “smart” water bottles can tell you if you need to be drinking more water to reach your water goal for the day and the temperature of your water along with a myriad of other stats (depending on which one you get).
water – so many health benefits for us!
I know a lot of this is basic common sense, but I hope this helped shed a little extra light on other health benefits of drinking water besides keeping us hydrated.
I’ve always known water is healthy for us. But, after digging in and learning all the health benefits that water provides our bodies, I’m going to up my water game. Starting today.
My goal is to just get you (and me) in the habit of drinking more water on a daily basis. Even if you can’t get in the 8 x 8 number of glasses of water a day, start somewhere.
Here is a guide with some of the most water-filled fruits and veggies, water bottles and smart water bottles.
“Regular” Water Bottles to help keep you hydrated
Okay, who’s ready to start drinking more agua so you can reap all of the health benefits? I’ve done the hard work for you and put together a round-up of water bottles, fruit infused water bottles and smart water bottles. Have a look below!
Hover over number for more info and click to shop
Fruit infused and “Smart” Water Bottles and Pitchers to help keep you hydrated
Water Bottles
ALEX Double Wall Tumbler
Brita Premium
Bübi Bottle
BuildLife Motivational Fitness
CamelBak
Contigo AUTOSPOUT
EcoVessel Boulder
Epica Glass Beverage Bottles
EXIT Collapsible Water Bottle
Hydro Flask
Klean Kanteen
Memobottle Slim
Seychelle Extreme
Soma Wide Mouth
S’well Bottle
The Coldest Sports Water Bottle
Thermos Funtainer
U Konserve
Under Armour Sideline
Venture Pal
YETI Rambler
Fruit Infused Water Bottles
AquaFrut
Cactaki with Time Marker
Hydracy Fruit Infuser
Infusion Pro Premium
Live Infinitely
OMORC
Savvy Infusion
“Smart” Water Bottles
H2OPal Hydration Tracker
Hidrate Spark 3
KIKIGOAL
Ozmo
PYRUS HoLead-RYRUS
Thermos Connected Hydration
Ulla Smart Hydration Reminder
Water Pitchers
Aquagear Water and Filter Pitcher
Brita water and filter Pitcher
Prodyne fruit infused water Pitcher
Have any good tips and tricks on how to stay better hydrated? Let us all know in the comments below!
Cheers, yall!
download the hydration guide so you can get all the health benefits of drinking water!
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Please note that I only recommend products that I love and want to share with you! This helps make The Silver Lined Life possible. For more information, see my disclosures here.
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