There’s no question about it, staying hydrated is important for our overall health and well-being. We all know it, our Mum’s/teachers/partners/friends auntie’s hairdresser’s have been telling us for years, but for some reason, when we’re head down, working hard it’s tough to stay on top of our fluid intake. So, not to nag, but are you staying hydrated?
Maybe you’re the type to get to 4pm and realise you’ve had nothing but coffee to drink, so you guzzle a litre of water in the hopes of some kind of spiritual forgiveness. Or, perhaps you’re the type who is diligent about water intake on the weekends but when you’re at your desk it just slips your mind. Or, do you maybe just find water a bit dull and find yourself forcing it down out of obligation? Whoever you are, you’re not alone….but remember – variety is the spice of life! The great news is that hydration comes in many forms, maybe it’s time to look beyond the water cooler and mix things up a bit.
Here are some alternative beverages to stock in your home or office that are far more exciting than boring old water.
Juice
While nutritional experts would really rather you eat your fruit than drink it (they’d also prefer you to do things like eat breakfast and get enough sleep just btw), for those of us who struggle to eat enough fruit and vegetables, drinking juice can provide essential vitamins and minerals. It’s also a hydrating alternative to that 3:30pm chocolate bar you were considering. A quick hit of fruity goodness might be all it takes to get you through that afternoon slump, and yes, it will count towards your water intake.
Juice is a readily available, delicious drink, whether pre-mixed or freshly squeezed. It’s great for a quick hydration hit. Just remember that fruit juice can contain high amounts of sugar, if this is a concern you can always dilute with some water, or for a low-sugar option opt for a green juice.
Gatorade
Are you staying hydrated after your morning hot yoga? Or maybe you had a workout at lunch and need to replace some electrolytes? Sports drinks like Gatorade are a super refreshing option that will quickly restore your hydration after periods of intense activity, especially in the heat.
Water that helps the world
Ok, ok, yes, we said it ourselves, water is a bit dull. What if the water you consumed was actually good for the world? Not so dull now is it? As we all become more ethically minded, we’ve become more thoughtful about where we spend our money, and that doesn’t just apply to the big things. If we can do some good with our small expenses, why not, right?
Yaru Mineral Water, for example, supports indigenous enterprise. Both the sparkling and still versions are also high in minerals, and certified carbon neutral from the Biological Farmers of Australia. WIN!
Another option is Thankyou Spring Water, which funds life-changing projects in the developing world by contributing to provide safe drinking water for those in need. You can even use the unique code on each bottle to look up your impact via the Thankyou website. GREAT!
If you find water to be a bit “blah” add a little zing by squeezing some lemon in to it, or chop up some cucumber or fruit and let it float in your water bottle. The flavour will then diffuse in to the water giving it a little hint of deliciousness, making it far easier to reach your daily 8 cups. It looks pretty too.
Tea
Did you know that those cups of tea you’re enjoying every day actually count towards your daily tally of water consumption? That ugly myth about tea being dehydrating was thankfully debunked by the experts, with it proven that the diuretic effect does not actually offset hydration. Absolutely fantastic news.
Coffee
You skipped forward to find out if that bit about tea counting towards your daily water intake was true for coffee too, didn’t you? Well, yes it’s true! Coffee counts! The undisputed king of office beverages, that big hug in a mug that energises, focuses, and warms millions of Australians every day can be counted towards your water intake. In fact, 75 per cent of Aussies say they have at least one cup daily.
Drink up!
Whatever you choose to drink, just make sure you’re staying hydrated. Keeping your fluid intake up helps to flush toxins and prevent illness, lifts your energy levels, lowers your risk of heart attack, boosts your mood and actually enhances your brain power!
Go on, go grab a drink.
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