When it comes to health, wellness and beauty, one drink is globally recognized as the “elixir of life”. This drink also happens to be one of the cheapest and most accessible on the market. You know what we’re about to say – WATER. Yet, despite the common knowledge on the importance of keeping hydrated, many of us falling drastically short of our recommended daily intake. In fact, studies suggest that around 80% of Australians are falling well short of the recommended 2-litre intake for women and 2.5-litre intake for men. 

What does this mean for our overall health? In the short term it means fatigue, muscle aches and pains, headaches, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Beyond impaired function, it also means dry dull skin and breakouts. This means all those expensive creams you have been investing in could be going to waste if you’re not nourishing your skin from within. In the long term- extended periods of dehydration may contribute to more serious and chronic illnesses.

Now, we would hate for you to become a statistic so we’re here to rekindle your love affair with water. It’s time to spice it up and introduce some simple steps to ensure you keep hydrated. 

Start with some retail therapy…

No, not the window type. We’re talking pretty bottles and tumblers. Treat yourself to new water bottles and make sure they are BPA free (naturally). Invest in designs you love and leave one by your bedside, one in your handbag and on your work desk. Set yourself up to succeed.

Spice it up…

If you feel uninspired by the taste of water why not infuse it with your favourite fruits and herb combinations. For a fresh pick me up, add slices of lemon, ginger, and mint into your bottle and let the flavours infuse overnight. The added bonus, it will do wonders for your skin. Play around with flavours by adding fruit slices into the mix.

Make iced tea…

Invest in a glass tumbler and inject non-caffeinated herbal teas into your drink repertoire. While a morning coffee is a necessity for many, not following it up with adequate hydration will leave you flat and fatigued by the time you start work. Make your favourite tea and leave it in the fridge overnight. Take your tumbler on the morning commute and sip on a refreshing ice tea on the way to work. 

Use your phone more…

To keep track of your intake. Cut into your social media time with a more beneficial and interactive activity. Download one of the many free apps available online to track your water intake and set daily reminders. A visual reference is scientifically proven to help us reach our goals. The Plant Nanny is just one of the many aps available on the market.

Eat water-rich foods…

We’re not about short-cuts here at Happy Way but we also know that making drastic changes to your usual routine can be tough. So while you’re working on reaching those 2L a day goal, why not inject fruits and vegetables with a high water content into your diet. These include zucchini, watermelon, grapefruit, celery and cucumbers. 

Reward yourself …

Instead of looking for shortcuts to fix your tired complexion why not set some goals and reward yourself when you reach them. Keep hydrate for a week before you invest in that next facial mist and add it to your beauty repertoire once you have nourished your skin from within.