Healthy Habits: Healthy Hydration

At some point, we've likely heard about the importance of water. We all get thirsty at some point, so we know we need to drink beverages. There are different guidelines out there for how much water to drink, but there's also a lot of research that indicates it's not a one-size-fits-all thing. Everyone has different water needs based on their activity level, age, physical characteristics, and diet.

The good news is that it's really hard to drink too much water. While it is theoretically possible and can sometimes happen, most everyday athletes and generally healthy people will be fine letting their thirst be their guide. I know that for my daughter and I, we do need to be more careful in the summer, otherwise we'll get dehydration-triggered headaches (and mine can sometimes become full-blown migraines). So we err on the side of possibly drinking a little more water than we need, particularly when the water is hot.

One way to make sure you're drinking water throughout the day is using a water jug with time marker. This jug encourages you to drink water throughout the day, and easily lets you know if you're on track while you're checking your progress. The jug has a lot of nifty features, including upbeat phrases, bright colors, a wide mouth for easy drinking or using ice cubes to keep your beverage cool. It also has a lot of other things that you'd want in a reusable jug.

It's important that your reusable water jug is easy to use - so look for a comfortable grip and things that make it easy to carry, like a carry strap, a handle, and a good diameter. This means that you have options for how you can hold and transport it. It should also be easy to clean - if you don't already have a bottle brush, an included bottle brush makes it really easy to clean

effectively, especially if there's a straw..

Different people also have different preferences for how they like to drink. Some people prefer straws, others prefer wide mouth or small mouth bottles. Truly versatile bottles will allow for all three options. And, of course, safety is important - reusable water bottles shouldn't leak or have a chemical smell to them that can alter the taste of the water.

What features do you look for in a reusable water bottle? Or how do you make sure that you stay on track for appropriate water intake?