It may seem like such a simple task to remember – after all, it’s crucial to our daily lives. But, drinking enough water and staying hydrated is often a necessity that somehow slips through the cracks.

Drinking water is vital for our physical and mental health, and there can be a range of reasons why people struggle to keep their fluid levels up. Maybe work is piling up and your priorities are elsewhere, or perhaps you’re a new parent and life just gets in the way. Sometimes, also, it’s easy to just forget.

If you’re one of those people that struggles with their hydration levels, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get yourself back on track and make sure you’re drinking enough water to maintain your overall health. So, in honour of Nutrition and Hydration Week, we’re giving you some simple tips and tricks on how to get started.

Set hourly alarms

Sometimes, a simple nudge is all we need to make sure we’re drinking enough water. If you’re more forgetful with things such as this, setting alarms every hour will make sure that you’re drinking water not only as much as you should, but also that you’re drinking consistently.

Use a colourful water bottle

It may sound ridiculous, but it’s been proven that we’re drawn to colour and to, for lack of better term, ‘pretty things’. A water bottle that’s vibrant and colourful, or a bottle that has specific features such as a built-in infuser, will undoubtedly make you want to use it more.

Plus, because it’s more aesthetically pleasing than plain, single-use plastic bottles, you’re more likely to leave it in sight and less likely to leave it at home.

Pair it with another task

One of the easiest ways to remember to drink water is to align it with another habit you have. For example, when you wake up, drink a glass of water. Before every meal, drink a glass of water. Before a work meeting, drink a glass of water.

Don't be afraid to adapt it to your current lifestyle, too; if you have a newborn baby, for instance, maybe try to ‘feed’ yourself every time you feed them.

The list of possibilities is endless for this one, so just have fun with it!

Dress it up

We’ve heard it before, and we understand: water can be boring. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be made fun!

If you aren’t a fan of the taste of water, try sweetening it by adding fruit or electrolytes to give it some extra flavour. Even adding something as simple as ice can make a huge difference.

Track your progress

Tracking your progress is not only effective in seeing where your water levels are at, but also to see just how far you’ve come.

We all have our phones with us all the time these days, and there are a whole host of apps and websites that help us measure our water intake. They can also help you set customisable goals each day, and can make sure you stay on track and keep yourself accountable.

Building a new habit can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! These are just a few easy ways to get you started, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll see the benefits!