ORLANDO, Fla. – Drinking water can not only prevent headaches and keep you from being cranky, it can increase performance, make your skin glow, and even decrease joint pain. Research also says staying hydrated can reduce the risk of colon and bladder cancer by more than 40 percent.
So how can you make sure you’re drinking enough H2O?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the average person should be drinking around eight glasses of water per day.
Sound like a lot? Try hiding it in your daily routine. Drink a glass when you first wake up, after you’ve taken a shower, or before brushing your teeth.
Another tip: set alarms on your phone to go off throughout the day and drink a large glass of water each time. And when you feel hungry, reach for a glass of water first. Sometimes you may just be confusing the sensation of thirst for hunger.
If the plain taste of water doesn’t appeal to you, try sprucing up your drink with some fruits or veggies. Sliced strawberries or cucumbers work great to add flavor without all the sugar you’ll find in fruit juices. You can even freeze lemon slices into ice cubes or try adding a little ginger. If you miss the fizz, try sparkling water or club soda.
You can also eat your water. Snacks like grapes, celery, and peppers are all good options with high water content.
Finally, try using phone apps like Water-logged, Hydro-coach, or Water-your-body. These can all give you reminders, help you set goals, and track your water intake.
Another tip: try eating spicy foods more often. You’ll easily find yourself reaching for your glass of water more at dinner when you do.
Contributors to this news report include: Gabriella Battistiol, Producer; Roque Correa, Videographer and Editor.