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How to Drink More Water

Chrissy Fredrikson
“How-To” Columnist

Whatever your motivation may be, drinking water has numerous benefits. Luckily, there are several easy ways to make drinking water more habitual.
It all starts with a quality water bottle. The easiest way to drink more water is by having it constantly accessible. Thus, carrying around a personal bottle will aid in your consumption. A good first step is determining what kind of bottle you like: plastic, glass, metal, flask top, straw, squeezy sports top, screw off, etc. The more enjoyable your water-drinking experience, the more often you’ll want to take a sip.
I would personally recommend Swell bottles. They are stainless steel, either 17oz or 24oz, have a screw-off top with a small opening so you don’t accidently drench yourself, and can keep your liquids cold for twenty-four hours or hot for twelve.
Once you get your bottle, make sure you bring it with you everywhere. The gym, class, work. There is no place your water-holding companion can’t go. But before every outing, check that it’s filled. That way, whenever you’re even a little bit thirsty, your trusty water bottle will be there to supply you.
Some simple rules you can follow to help you reach your water-drinking goal quicker are as follows. Drink a glass before every bathroom break, a glass before every meal, a glass or two with every meal, a glass right when you wake up, a glass after you brush your teeth and a glass before bed. If you pick one or more of these rules and abide by them, I assure that you will find yourself much closer to your daily water-intake goal.
If you don’t like plain water, there’s a solution! Throw in a couple of lemon slices, some cucumber, a few sprigs of mint, or a couple strawberries, and voilà – infused water.
“Seriously Chrissy? Where am I supposed to get sprigs of mint?” You’re right, maybe that’s a bit farfetched for the average college student. But the C-Store sells bags of mixed frozen fruit, which means you could not only infuse your water, but also keep it cold for some time.
For those feeling a bit posh, substitute flat for sparkling water, which both the dining room and C-Store carry.
Lastly, there are several apps that can help you track your water consumption. If you want to go all out, I suggest “My Water Balance” or “WaterMinder,” as they have been highly reviewed and offer a variety of ways to connect with other app users for the perfect water-oriented community.
You’ve been given all the tips and tricks to become an avid water-drinker. Remember to find yourself a compatible water bottle, keep it filled, drink it all day long, abide by any “rules” you set for yourself, and mix it up with sparkling or infused water. Before you know it, you’ll be going to the bathroom every half hour.