Physical Health is An Important Part of Happiness

You don’t need to be in peak physical shape, but feeling good physically can go a long way in your overall wellbeing. Every week I am going to share some simple options to assist you in improving your health. I am not an expert, just sharing various things I have done throughout my journey.

Starting my day with a glass of water is one of the most helpful things I have done. Hydration is so important to keep your body healthy. If you’re anything like me, it can be difficult to remember to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially on particularly busy days.

I’ve found what works best for me to make sure I’m getting my water in and not having to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, is following a high level schedule. I start my day with a glass water or herbal tea if I am wanting something warm. I drink one 24oz bottle of water by the end of lunch, which gives me my lunch break to finish it up if I have slacked throughout the morning. I drink another bottle by the end of my workday and then one cup of water throughout this evening. This gives me flexibility to have a glass of wine, a cup of hot chocolate, a soda, etc in the evening as well without needing to also drink 5 cups of water still to properly hydrate my body.

Drinking 8 cups of water a day isn’t a hard and fast rule. On days that I am hiking or spending a lot of time in the sun, I naturally tend to drink more.

You also don’t have to drink your water plain. There are so many ways to add flavor to your water. If you want to keep your water low sugar and natural, you can add fresh or frozen berries, lemon or lime wedges, or even throw some mint leaves in. There are also several options of cold brew herbal teas. One of my favorite things to do in the evening is pour sparkling water over frozen berries in a wine glass! It feels like I’m drinking a cocktail.

If you are more open to sugars and artificial flavors, there are countless flavors of packets or liquid flavor drops you can add to your water. Electrolytes are a great option as well, especially when you are active or spending time outdoors. Several companies make both flavored and unflavored electrolytes, or for a more natural option, you can try coconut water!

Drinking water may sound so simple it’s not worth discussing, but staying hydrated can help you feel your best! What are your favorite ways to stay hydrated?