As if by magic we’ve reached September! After the heatwave of a fortnight ago, it’s strange to realise that the weather is starting to have that autumnal feel too – the mornings are decidedly cool compared to those of last month.
During the hot weather, we obviously tend to drink a little more than normal as dehydration sets in quicker when we’re all hot and bothered. We shouldn’t reduce the amount we drink though just because it’s cooling down a bit.
Water is the aid for many a health issue, and we already know that staying hydrated can improve digestion, complexion and immune system health. Challenge yourself – drink 1-2 litres of water per day for the next 2 weeks and see how much better you feel. And if you’re not sure how you’ll manage it, below are some simple tips to help you.
- Drink a glass as soon as you get out of bed in the morning. If you can, ditch the coffee in favour of some water, hot if you like, with a squeeze of lemon juice. If you really can’t do without the caffeine boost, drink some water first, then have your usual rocket fuel.
- During your working day, each time you have a loo break, have some water afterwards. Think of it as the perfect ‘wash’ cycle for your insides – wash, rinse, repeat!
- Drinking spring water almost feels like a luxury! You may be lucky enough to have a water cooler at work, but not many of us have them at home. A good quality water filter is a close second and will sit neatly on your kitchen counter to remind you to drink.
- Water dense foods are a great way to drink what you eat! Fruit and vegetables are a fabulous way to hydrate.
- Sparkling mineral water is perfect if you love fizzy drinks. Add a splash of cordial if you need a sweet fix.
- Eating spicy food is a sure fire way to make sure you consume a bit more water. Cooling your mouth down may seem like the primary goal, but the more water you need to douse those flames, the better for you!
- Dilute your other drinking habits. By this we don’t literally mean add water to your other drinks, but be mindful that coffee and tea are diuretic so need counterbalancing. If you’re partial to a night on the town, drinking one for one will reduce the chances of a bad hangover too!
