Spring arrives this week on the 20th! What will you be doing to welcome spring?

We like to help readers stay safe: physically, emotionally, mentally. Know what helps lubricate all these efforts? Hydration! You’ll sleep better, meaning you can pay more attention at work. Not just to the tasks your boss wants you to do, but also doing them in a way that saves your back, tuchus, and heart. Among other parts of the body!

Some of us are natural water drinkers. Staying hydrated isn’t really a big deal, or much of a problem. 

But some people find it difficult to get what they need. The standard advice of 64 ounces ( 8 8-ounce glasses per day) which is roughly 2 liters or a gallon, is a good place to start. You may need a little less, or you may need more. The way to tell is how colorful your urine is! If it’s not pale yellow, you need to drink more.

Need more? Here are some tricks for staying hydrated even if you don’t love the taste of water.

1. Reuse (your water bottle)

Some of you know we’re big fans of reduce, reuse and recycle! If you don’t already have a reusable water bottle, you will need to get one. But you really only need one.

Why not rely on plastic bottled water? First of all, all that plastic is being washed into the ocean where it kills marine life. Do you want to be a sea-rial killer? Didn’t think so!

Plastic bottles also aren’t always available. There you are, dry-mouthed, and no kiosk or bodega or other vendor is around. 

Bottles come in all sizes and all decorations. Find one that you like that’s BPA-free (most of them are.) And use it.

2. Savor that flavor

Some people just don’t like to drink plain water. It may be especially difficult for those who are used to sugary sodas or energy drinks. Add some flavor to your H2O to help you drink up.

Adding fruit and cucumber slices to your water works especially well when you fill up a jug or water dispenser. Oranges work well. We’ve found that lemon and lime slices left too long make the water unpleasant to taste. As always, YMMV! (Your mileage may vary.)

In the grocery store you’ll find plenty of flavors made to squirt into your glass, or mix in with it. Pick a sugar-free option. 

Or, when you buy your reusable bottle, you can buy one that has a fruit infuser inside of it. Just put your fruit in the morning and savor it the rest of the day!

3. High waters aren’t just for jeans

You may or may not be old enough to remember high-water jeans, which were cropped well above the ankle. We do. (Not fondly.) 

But when it comes to food, there are high-water options that help you get hydrated. And you get the benefit of all the vitamins and minerals that they contain too!

Watermelon is almost all – 92%! water. Strawberries are nearly as full of water as watermelons. Cantaloupes, peaches, and oranges and grapefruit are also high-water fruit.

For veggies, think lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, celery, tomatoes (yes I know they’re technically fruit), bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage.

Most broths and many soups, though not the cream-based ones, will give you some hydration in addition to the nourishment.

Dairy foods can be high-water too. Think skim milk, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese, believe it or not.

No hydration is no excuse! Drink up today.

What trick do you use to get more water? Let us know in the comments!