WANT EVEN MORE HEALTHY IDEAS FROM SHAPE YOUR FUTURE?
Our bodies change as we age — that includes how we drink and retain water. However, drinking water can also become more of a challenge as years go by, which is why we need to pay more attention to our hydration. Here’s why drinking water is good for our aging bodies and a few tips to help you up your daily glasses.
Why Older Adults Need To Drink Water
- Water helps your brain work better: Drinking water and staying hydrated helps you think clearly and remember things better. It can also prevent headaches and give you a natural energy boost.
- Water keeps you steady: Being dehydrated can make you feel dizzy or wobbly. Drinking water can help you fight off these common symptoms of dehydration.
- Some medications can lead to dehydration: A common symptom of some medications is frequent trips to the bathroom. Remember to always replace what your body loses to stay healthy.
- You may not retain water as well as you used to: Our kidneys help our bodies hold onto water. As we get older, they may start to work a little slower. Drinking water can help your internal organs function properly.
- Other drinks contain sugar and additives: Sugary drinks like juice, soda and sweet tea contain high amounts of sugar, something many of us have to monitor as we age. Water is always sugar free and hydrates your body without the added ingredients.
How To Drink More Water
Now that you know why you need water, here are a few tips to help you drink at least eight glasses each day.
- Set a schedule: As we get older, our bodies might not tell us we’re thirsty like they used to. Waiting until you feel thirsty can often lead to dehydration. So, look at the clock instead! Try these tips:
- Start early: Keep a glass or bottle of water by your bed to drink first thing in the morning.
- Set reminders: Set alerts on your phone or in a visible place (like your fridge or bathroom mirror) to drink water throughout the day.
- Wind down with water: Drink one final glass of water one hour before bed. Time it out so you won’t have to take late-night bathroom trips.
- Take big sips: If drinking water is hard for you, skip the small sips! Focus on taking a few gulps of water when you get a chance. You can also:
- Use a straw: Straws make drinking water a little easier. You can safely take a few big sips or gulps quickly.
- Drink it at room temperature: Water is hydrating at every temperature, but it can be harder to drink when it’s ice cold! Keep your water at room temperature for an easy-to-drink option.
- Make water convenient: Keeping water close by makes hydrating so much easier. Here are a few tips:
- Choose the right bottle: Find a cup or bottle that works for you. Make sure it’s not too heavy, the lid is easy to remove and you like it! Pick your favorite color or pattern.
- Keep it with you: Carry your water bottle wherever you go so you can drink and refill!
- Add some flavor: Dropping some fruit into your water — like citrus or berries — can add variety to your glass.
- Hydrate at mealtime and with medications: Any routines you have throughout the day offer perfect opportunities to boost your water intake. Here are tips to add water into your day without feeling overwhelmed:
- Hydrate with every meal: Drink a full glass of water at every meal and polish it off with your last bite.
- Finish a glass with medication: If you take medication, vitamins or other supplements every day, you probably take a small glass to help them go down. Instead, fill your glass to the top and finish it off.
- Drink water after you eat: Drinking water after every meal helps with digestion. A small glass can help your body process the foods you just ate.
Hydration doesn’t have to be a chore or challenge. It only takes a few small changes to improve your water intake and improve your health. Every sip counts. So, drink up!
Looking for more tips to improve your health? Explore our healthy recipes, meal plans and collections or find new ways to get moving.