Why it's important to drink water and 7 things you can do to reach your daily water quota.
Article written by Mai Copsoe
Lifestyle mentor, embodiment guide, breathing facilitator, women's mentor.
Why should you drink water?
Water intake is a key player when it comes to our health. It plays an important role in many of the body's vital functions, such as bringing nutrients to our cells, releasing waste products, protecting our joints and organs, maintaining our body temperature and ensuring that our brain functions optimally. It also makes a big difference to our skin and affects both our moisture balance and glow. In this way, our water balance affects both our radiance and beauty. True beauty, as we know, starts from within. It is recommended that we drink 2-3 liters of water a day depending on activity level, age, weight, pregnancy, etc. However, many people have difficulty meeting this intake and tend to either favor coffee or sugary drinks. To increase your daily water intake and create better habits for yourself, here are 7 suggestions.
1. Find your motivation and create a positive spiral
Habits have a great impact on our patterns of action, and when we either have to break or implement a new habit, it is important that we have the motivation to do so. Because everything new requires adjustment and getting used to - and the easiest thing would be to let things stay the same. However, through better water habits, we can help to help the body remember what is good for it - and this can help to create a positive spiral for our entire health, which means that we generally make better choices. So if you want to optimize your water intake daily, I recommend that you find the deeper reason before you start. Maybe you want a nicer house, maybe you want to sleep better at night, maybe you want to feel healthier. The reasons can be many. But start by finding what is the deeper reason for you. This means that you can remind yourself why you should continue when you feel like dropping this new habit.
2. Start the day with water - before you get out of bed.
Once we have done one good thing for our body, it becomes easier to follow up with the next one. That's why it's a good idea to have a large glass of water on your nightstand when you go to bed and then drink it the next morning before you get out of bed. This way you start your day with a good deed for yourself. At the same time, you remind your body that water is something it likes, so it's easier to remember to ask for it during the day.
Furthermore, this habit will mean that you hydrate your body before you fill it with caffeine. When we have been breathing and possibly sweating in our sleep, it is natural to wake up dehydrated. Since coffee naturally stimulates the need to go to the bathroom, it can dehydrate us further - unless we have first secured ourselves by consuming water.
3. Drink water with your coffee
Coffee is often consumed in large quantities without replenishing the body's water reserves. This means that we often quench our thirst with coffee. It also means that we pump our body with something that boosts our production of the stress hormone, cortisol, which can increase the amount of fat we hold on to in the stomach. Coffee in small quantities can be completely okay, but it is important that it does not take over. That is why it is always a good idea to have a glass of water with your coffee. When we drink water with coffee, it means that we quench our thirst with water. In addition, it will also mean that after a while the body will naturally choose water over coffee - even though both are there. The body is so smart, when it is reminded of its options, it will typically choose the best for it. Finally, it is also a good idea to have a glass of water with coffee because it can help prevent tooth discoloration, as water can help rinse the mouth, so less gets stuck.
4. Have a (nice) water bottle
One thing that makes us wake up often at night, and thus helps to reduce the quality of our sleep, is going to the toilet. This naturally happens when we drink a lot of water near bedtime, which often happens if we haven't drunk enough water during the day. This is when we finally feel thirsty (and where we may know that coffee with caffeine is not such a good idea). Less thirst in the evening and better night's sleep can be balanced when we drink water during the day rather than in the evening. Here a water bottle is a super good idea! First, a water bottle on your desk will help remind you to drink water during the day. Second, it will also help you keep track of how much you have drunk. When you start a new habit like this, it is easy to get irritated or challenged until it is implemented. Therefore, it can be good to buy a water bottle that you think is nice, so that drinking water is not quite so frustrating. We love the beautiful water bottles from Aya&Ida, which you can get in a variety of colors and sizes here.
5. Use a water filter
In Denmark, we are good at taking care of each other and the environment - at least that's what we tell ourselves. But the fact is that the pollutants and toxic substances found in our tap water are increasing. See more articles about Danish drinking water here . If we want to nourish our bodies in the best possible way, it is important that we are aware of what we give it. And clean, good quality water could not be more important. To ensure this, a good water filter is a really good initiative you can take. Personally, we are quite happy with the Danish-made water filters from Aqwa water filter, which you can mount directly on your tap. Whether you are looking for a filter for the kitchen or bathroom, they have you - and at really affordable prices. Learn more about it on their website here
6. Drink your water in a wine glass, beautiful crystal glass
Everything tastes better when it is served a little deliciously and beautifully. This also applies to water, which you might forget. There are some of us who do not drink enough water because we associate it with being a boring drink, while coffee, cola or other sugary drinks seem more like a treat. If this is you, you can help yourself change this approach by making your water serving a little more luxurious. For example, you can serve water to yourself in a beautiful wine - or crystal glass - here in a nice color and the model, swirl from the brand, Anna Von Lipa . These glasses are also a nice size, with room for a lot of water at a time, so you can more easily cover your intake. This thing about atmosphere and setting really matters for our enjoyment.
7. Add flavor and extra nutrition to your water with a slice of cucumber, apple, or berry
In addition to serving your water in a slightly more delicious version through the glass you drink from, you can of course also optimize your water by adding a slice of cucumber, apple, orange, berries or the like. You can also add herbs such as mint or basil. This not only does something for the aesthetic, but can also make the taste of water a little more appealing without adding chemicals, sweeteners or preservatives. It also means that the water gets a small infusion of vitamins, which only increases its goodness for your skin. It is important that you find exactly what works for you, so feel free to experiment with what is needed to cover your water intake.
" My mission is to support individuals and groups on their journey towards optimal health, well-being and inner balance through holistic tools and guidance.
I have found that when people start focusing on their own health and well-being, they are more likely to lead their lives with greater awareness. This often leads to increased effectiveness at work and more ease in their lives overall – even in highly stressful environments with high performance pressure.
and many responsibilities. " - Mai Copsoe
