HEALTH

Hydrate or diedrate, am I right? Drinking water is *so* important for your physical health—and most people aren't getting enough!

The average woman should be drinking about 11.5 cups of water a day, according to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. However, in a recent poll conducted by CivicScience, it was found that nearly half of Americans (47%) are drinking less than the daily recommended amount of H2O. 

Here's why you should drink more water, plus some tips to help you up your intake. Drink up, girl!

Keep your skin looking bright

Drinking adequate amounts of water increases blood flow and improves the elasticity of your skin, according to Forefront Dermatology. When you're not drinking enough to keep your skin hydrated, pores can become more noticeable and skin can appear duller—who wants that?!

Combined with a simple, regimented skincare routine, drinking more water will have your skin looking better than ever.

Stay focused in school

You're halfway through the day and you're feeling sluggish. Focusing on what your teacher is saying becomes harder by the minute. Go fill up your bottle and drink some water ASAP!

Our brains are 85% water, so it's important to stay hydrated for brain function. Studies show that even if you are 1% dehydrated, your cognitive function decreases by 5%. Make sure to pack a full, reusable water bottle every day for school so you can keep your brain healthy and hydrated.

Improve your digestion

Drinking plenty of water is not only good for your brain and your skin, but it's also good for gut health. Water aids in the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients into the body. The Mayo Clinic says that drinking water during or after your meals specifically benefits digestion. 

Having a glass of plain water with food is a good idea. Avoid sugary drinks or waters with added unnatural flavors. Plain is best!

Prevent sore muscles

Sore muscles are caused by the build-up of lactic acid after working out. Luckily, drinking plenty of water can prevent having super sore muscles. The Pain Treatment Centers of America say that proper hydration prevents your muscles from tightening and stiffening. 

So remember to drink up before, during and after your workouts!

Make your periods more bearable 

Women naturally become more thirsty when they're on their period. So you *really* need to drink more when it's that time of the month. Staying hydrated can also make your PMS symptoms, such as cramping and bloating, less severe.

Periods are already rough—don't make it worse by being dehydrated!

Now that you've learned some of the benefits of increasing your H2O intake, let's talk about tips to get drinking more water...

1. Invest in a water bottle you will use

Having a reusable water bottle will help you drink plenty of water no matter where you are. Whether you're going to school, work or a friend's house, bring your water bottle with you for easy hydration.

Cute, trendy bottles include Stanleys or Hydroflasks, and you can find more affordable brands on Amazon.

2. Add some fun fruits or veggies

Not a big fan of plain water? Add some sweet fruits or refreshing vegetables to give your water that kick you've been missing! Flavoring your water will entice you to drink more, plus fruits and vegetables have lots of beneficial vitamins and nutrients.

Try out these *delicious* recipes for infused water!

3. Set reminders on your phone

If drinking water isn't habitual for you, try setting hourly reminders on your phone. Every time it goes off, drink an 8-ounce glass of water and get back to it. Before you know it, drinking water will be a part of your everyday routine!

Need more ideas? Here are 5 simple ways to make drinking water more fun!

Tag us with your cutest water bottle pics on Insta @girlslifemag!

Slider image: @hydroflask
All GIFs via Giphy

by Hannah Kennedy | 4/18/2023