It’s something we hear from health experts all the time – we all need to drink more water. However, that’s easier said than done. If you have a busy life, juggle kids, forget to drink or just don’t like the taste of water, sooner or later you end up dry as a bone without even trying.

“Aside from glowing skin, boosted energy, mind clarity, weight loss and overall healthy bodily functions, drinking water also helps maintain good mental health,” says Paul Sprokkreeff from hydration brand waterdrop®.

The company is on a mission to get people to drink more water by adding interest with its unique Microdrink cubes. The small cubes, which you add to your water bottle or glass, come in a range of flavours including pomegranate and goji berry, peach and ginger, mango and cactus fruit, blackcurrant and elderberry, and lime and green coffee. Each is full of vitamins and nutrients B6, Vitamin C and Folic Acid.

“Drinking enough water can help with preventing and managing anxiety symptoms, mood changes and depression,” Paul says. “Even being slightly dehydrated leaves us tense, moody and increased stress levels.”

Here are Paul’s top tips on how to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Carry a reusable water bottle to fill up and sip for ‘emotional support’

As far as TikTok trends and viral videos go one recent cultural phenomenon that supports the consumption of water is the “emotional support water bottle” trend. If you’ve ever been mindlessly scrolling through TikTok you may have seen the #emotionalsupportwaterbottle trend where creators showcase their reusable water bottles that get taken everywhere from the gym, in the car, to work, to bed and essentially use it as a third arm.

The concept of this common Millennial and Gen Z trend is that the bottles provide a sense of reliability and structure to our daily lives, not only supporting water intake but also inadvertently supporting mental health. In addition to this, by having a water bottle you constantly sip from and fill up, it minimises the use of single use plastic.

Add flavour to your water  

This one is for those who simply don’t like the taste of water and struggle to consume it just by itself, often resorting to high-sugar drinks or caffeinated beverages, which dehydrate you more. Flavouring water naturally with vitamin filled and sugar free additives is the best way to help you drink more water without the loaded sugar and caffeine. Adding a spritz of something natural like lemon or mint is also a great way to jazz up plain water.

Set yourself a daily goal

Setting daily goals helps to structure our day and grow as individuals, by setting a small goal to drink two litres a day you are already half-way to achieving your goal. Physically writing down our daily goals every morning not only helps us to keep track of them but also allows us to hold ourselves accountable to accomplish them.

Whether you’re an active person pushing for three to four litres a day or just need the two, drinking more water should be a goal everyone should strive for. By integrating small memos during the day such as setting a reminder on your phone every hour to have a glass of water or keeping a reusable water bottle with you at all times, you will be smashing your goal in no time and reaping the benefits hydration brings.

Create set times of the day or moments to drink water

Consuming litres of water a day may seem like an impossible task, but it all comes down to making it a habit in your daily routine. Like brushing your teeth or making your bed, small mindless habits that you don’t need to think about are the best ways to making sure you drink enough water each day.

By introducing a small change like drinking one glass of water before brushing your teeth or having a drink bottle next to your bed every night, you’ll be able to stay hydrated without feeling like you have to try.