When was the last time you drank a glass of water? For most of us, the answer is not recently enough. With the many demands of our daily lives, sometimes getting enough to drink falls to the wayside. Ideally, you should drink at least 11 cups of water a day. That may seem impossible, but luckily there are ways to make your hydration goals realistic and enjoyable. Here are 6 ways to stay hydrated this summer:

1. Hydrate when you wake up and before meals

Starting the morning with a glass of water is a great way to jump-start your metabolism. Getting in the routine of drinking a glass of water before each meal puts you on the fast-track to meeting your hydration goals AND prevents overeating.

2. Set a reminder

Life gets busy. If you don’t drink enough water because you forget to take the time to drink, set reminders! Set an alarm to stop and drink a glass of water a few times throughout the day. This is a great way to give yourself a small break throughout the day and replenish your energy!

3. Invest in a new water bottle

If water isn’t easily accessible, chances are you won’t drink much of it. If this sounds like you, getting a water bottle you enjoy will help motivate you to keep water nearby. Many water bottles (such as the one pictured) even have markers to keep you on track with your drinking throughout the day.

4. Track your intake

Keep a log of how much water you drink each day, and you may be surprised at the results! Many nutrition apps help you keep a log to confirm you are drinking enough throughout the day. If you aren’t drinking enough, you can make it a challenge: drink enough water every day for two weeks straight, and you can go treat yourself to that new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try!

5. Experiment with fruit and herbs

You can admit it – drinking nothing but plain water can get boring. Luckily, there are ways to make water enjoyable while still keeping it healthy. Adding fruits and herbs such as strawberries, cucumbers, raspberries, lemons, and mint can give you the variety you crave throughout the day.

6. Eat hydrating foods

Our water intake isn’t only in what we drink, but also in what we eat. Eating foods with high water content such as watermelon, celery, lettuce, and cucumber will help you get that extra boost towards your intake goals.

Staying hydrated isn’t always easy, but having these tips and tricks in your arsenal will help you stay consistent!