9 ways to remember to drink water
Most of us do not drink too little water because we dislike it. We forget. The fix is to make drinking automatic or to get a nudge at the right moment.
1. Drink one glass as soon as you wake
You have gone hours without fluid. Keep a glass by the bed or the kettle, and drink it before checking your phone.
2. Attach water to things you already do
Habit stacking works: a glass with each meal, after brushing your teeth, and after every toilet break.
3. Keep a bottle where you can see it
A bottle on your desk is a constant cue. Out of sight really is out of mind.
4. Use a timed reminder
Set a reminder every 60 to 90 minutes during your active hours. The best reminders have a clear action ("I drank") so the nudge ends in a sip, not a swipe-away. TwoToTango does this on Android, Windows and Mac.
5. Make the reminder personal
A generic beep is easy to ignore. A short video of someone you love saying a few words is much harder to dismiss, and it feels like care, not nagging. Read how to remind someone you love.
6. Tie it to your breaks
If you take a short break every hour, drink then. The popular 20-20-20 eye rule (every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) pairs neatly with a few sips.
7. Make water taste good
Add lemon, cucumber or mint, or try sparkling water. Cold or room temperature, choose what you like.
8. Count your glasses
A visible count, like a daily tally, makes it a small game. Aim for a steady number, not a perfect one.
9. Plan for hard times
Travel, long meetings and busy shifts are when people skip water. Put a bottle in your bag and set reminders before you leave.
Keep it simple
Pick two or three of these, not all nine. Once drinking is a habit you will need the reminder less. For how much to aim for, see how much water to drink a day.
Never forget again
TwoToTango pops up a short video of someone you love to remind you to drink water. Free for Android, Windows and Mac.