Drink Up - How to Build the Habit of Hydration

Simple ways to integrate the habit of hydration into your day in a healthy, enjoyable and hassle-free way so you can feel at your best.

Life is full-on and some days it can be hard to meet even our most basic needs, eating right, sleeping well, and drinking plenty of fluids. We lead fast-paced lives and something as simple as not drinking enough can wreak havoc on our bodies, energy levels, and even our mood.

Which is why we have plenty of ways to help you integrate the habit of hydration into your day in a healthy, enjoyable and hassle-free way

What Is Hydration?

Our bodies are made up of two thirds water and hydration is essentially our bodies ability to absorb the water that we drink and utilise it to ensure we’re functioning at our very best.

Every part of our body needs that vital water, from our cells and skin to our organs and even our joints. Around 20% of our water intake comes from the food we eat but the majority is required from the healthy fluids we need to consume throughout the day.

3) Move Your Body

A great way to keep your physical and mental health in check is to get moving. If you don't fancy going out for a run in the wet or cold, you could try some yoga or a bodyweight workout at home instead (and why not try out our Cold Infuse range to keep you hydrated).

4) Take a Break

It's easy to get caught up in being busy and forget to take a break. Combat this by actively scheduling in a five minute time out. If you find you begin to flag by 3pm, why not make that your time to stick the kettle on and take ten minutes to yourself? Decaffeinated teas and caffeine-free infusions are the perfect accompaniment for ten minutes of time out.

You could even try this simple tea meditation.

5) Just Breathe

Taking a couple of moments to focus on your breathing can help relieve some stress if you’re feeling particularly frazzled. Try to concentrate on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth slowly, at a rate that’s comfortable for you.

Start with breathing in for four and out for four.

6) Try a New Hobby

Life is full of to-do lists and admin, and a great way to counterbalance this is with a hobby. If things are getting on top of you, trying out a new hobby could be just the escape you need. Arts and crafts like painting or sewing are great ideas, or you could try baking, playing a musical instrument or gardening.

Growing your own herb garden is a great stress reliever.

7) Use a Massage Ball

Investing in a massage ball and spending some time working out a bit of tension while you’re sat in front of the TV, or even at your desk, can be just what’s needed when you’re feeling a bit run down. Try rolling your feet over it, roll it against your neck and upper back against the back of your chair or a wall, or even try one of the many guided massages on YouTube.

8) Stretch

Why not try a short stretching routine or a simple yoga class when you need to take a break? This inexpensive way to unwind only needs a bath towel or similar to lie on, and you’re away. There are loads of routines available online you could try out – try a few to see what you enjoy.

9) Make a Chillout Playlist

Putting on your favourite relaxing songs while you take a moment to sit at the end of the day is a great way to help any residual tension melt away. In fact, setting aside a bit of time to arrange your favourite relaxing songs into the ideal chillout playlist can be a great way to unwind in itself. And if the mood and music take you, you can even dance it out!

10) Try Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a form of meditation, where you practice paying attention to the present, taking time to acknowledge your feelings and what’s happening around you. We’ve got a great beginner’s guide if you're interested in learning more about mindfulness and meditation. Practising mindfulness for just a few minutes a day can help your mental wellbeing, allowing you to see situations more clearly instead of becoming overwhelmed.

Whatever you do, be sure to weave some relaxation into your day.