By now, you’ve probably all heard the old rule that you should drink eight cups of water per day. Sounds simple enough, but when you’re thinking about the zillion other things you need to do, it’s easy to forget about staying hydrated. In a quest to drink more water, I discovered something stupid simple that helps me get almost twice the recommended amount of water per day:
I keep a pitcher on my desk at all times.
The pitcher I have holds about 5 cups, which seems to be the perfect amount for me. I drink one pitcher in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one at night. This gives me 15 cups — almost twice as much as I technically need, but all the better for my health and hydration.
Having a pitcher on my desk is awesome for a few reasons:
- I don’t have to keep track of how many glasses I’m drinking. By measuring out how much my pitcher holds, it’s easy to know how much I’ve been drinking, since I only need to keep track of how many pitchers I’ve had, rather than how many cups.
- It makes me feel oddly accomplished when I finish a pitcher. A nice little confidence boost when I’m feeling sluggish in the afternoon. 😉
- Water is always at my fingertips. If you want to create better habits, make them 20 seconds easier to do. This way, I don’t have to walk to the kitchen and get a new glass. It’s always right there, ready for a refill.
This works well for me since I work at my desk most of the day. Are you always on the go? Try bringing a large, refillable water bottle with you. I had a friend who did this, and she said she felt motivated to drink more water so that the bottle would become lighter to carry. Smart!
How do you get enough water during the day?
p.s. Why You’ll Want to Start Drinking Warm Lemon Water
I would end up knocking it over or my cat would for sure. I have been focusing on drinking more water. I aim for at least six glasses a day and usually do at least that. I’m a big soda drinker and don’t want to quit so I at least try and get my water in too.
Ha! Well, if it helps, the pitcher I use is from IKEA and it’s very sturdy. I can’t imagine being able to knock it over too easily! But that’s great that you’re aiming to drink more water. 🙂
Officially the worlds worst water drinker here! But I also find if I just have a bottle in front of me I’ll drink it subconsciously instead of actually thinking about how much I’m drinking! High five to doubling the recommended amount haha.
hah! It totally helps to just have it there, doesn’t it? 🙂
I keep a hydroflask on my desk and fill it much more frequently because I wanted to keep it portable (be able to fit in my car cup holder, or not weigh down my bag alot – but I LOOOOVVEEE IT! Plus it keeps it ice cold, which is a must if I’m drinking water – especially plain water!
Oh great idea! 🙂
Throwing some fresh fruit in there would also be a great (and tasty) incentive!
Totally, Lauren! Love that idea.
Such a good idea, I find it such a struggle to drink water. But I find I can drink a lot more when I have a bottle of water by my side.
http://www.ohjanuary.blogspot.co.uk
Totally agree Hannah!
My colleagues and I share a pitcher at work, but I track my glasses on my Fitbit app. It becomes a bit like a game, trying to hit the goal, which I like. 🙂
Aisling | aisybee.
Ahh isn’t everything more fun when it’s a game? 🙂
Love this idea! I never know how much water I’m drinking since I just refill my cup so many times! Thanks so much for the tip!
I used to do the same thing, Gina! It got hard for me to keep track so this way has helped me a lot! 🙂
great idea!
Thanks Shaunacey! 🙂
This is brilliant, Melyssa!! I used to buy a 1L water bottle and try to refill it twice before the day ended — hitting my goal of 3L per day. But a pitcher is so much more environmentally friendly!
ALSO this must be why your skin glows so beautifully!! 🙂
Ha! Thank you! 🙂 Also — Nars foundation! haha 🙂
Amazing! I used to do that too actually! It was total inspiration because at that time I was commuting to work by train and definitely wanted to finish my bottle so I didn’t have to carry it everywhere with me. 😉
This is a great method for the days you’re at home/in the office. And 15 cups per day is a great accomplishment.
Totally! And thank you! I drink it without even realizing these days. 🙂
When I read this, I could not resist taking a big drink from the refillable water bottle on my desk!
It’s not that I avoid drinking water, but I get so focused on what I’m doing that I truly forget to drink any of it. I drink copious amounts of coffee, though, so I should definitely drink more water to compensate. It’s impressive that you pack away 15 cups each day! No wonder your skin is so radiant. 🙂
Great post!
http://booklexia.com
I totally know how you feel about hoarding coffee and forgetting to drink water. I was the same way. Having the pitcher nearby has helped since I see it and then remember I should be drinking it. 🙂 And thank you! My foundation probably takes most of the credit for that! 😉
I am going to start keeping a pitcher on the desk. Apparently a red water bottle isn’t cuttin’ it!
I love that art, did you make it?
I did! Thank you! 🙂
Awesome! Do you sell it? Or do you have a DIY tutorial per chance?
I don’t, but maybe one day I will! 🙂
The best thing I learnt to do is just have a huge water bottle with me at all times, especially in the office. I’d say I drink about the same amount as you every day without even trying. Plus, I drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day, so I need that extra hydration!
http://www.lioninthewild.com
You sound exactly like me, Kiara! Especially with those cups of coffee 😉
It’s a necessity, really (I type as I drink my first cup of coffee for the day!).
I love your art, and this is a really great tip! I always keep a cup by my desk in hopes that refilling it will encourage me to walk to the kitchen and move more, but more days than not I just get caught up in my work and forget. haha.
Haha I’m the same way! I used to do the cup thing, but even right now, my cup is empty and my pitcher is in the kitchen and I feel too lazy to get up and walk there to refill it haha. I keep telling myself “I’ll do it after ______.” And then I wait like two hours haha!
bahaha. That’s me, too. 😉
This is such a cute tip. I always have my water bottle with me so it helps me to stay hydrated.
Definitely! Thanks Rekha! 🙂
Lovely idea! At the school where I work, there’s a water cooler that I’m always nearby. It’s so easy for me to fill up my water bottle all of the time! 🙂
Circus & Bloom
♥♥♥
That is awesome! 🙂
Great idea! So simple yet I’ve never thought of it before…now to get my hands on a pitcher 🙂 x
http://thecornishlife.co.uk
hehe I know right, super simple! I got my pitcher from IKEA and dig it 🙂
Awesome idea! I work from home so this would be perfectly feasible for me.
Ps- I love those pics of you. They are super cute!
Kristin // The Peculiar Treasure
athisfeetdaily.blogspot.com
I think this tip is best for people who work from home! 😀 And thank you!! 🙂
This is such a great idea! I’ll try to remember to do this! x
ZoesSecretStyle.blogspot.co.il
Glad you like it, Zoe! 🙂
Brilliant! I just keep my big waterbottle, but a pitcher sounds good! I always try to keep my water sealed or a good distance away from my laptop – I’ve had some bad experiences with liquids near laptops – eek!
Yikes, that would be so scary! My pitcher is pretty heavy, so I think it would be hard to knock over, but I do have to be careful about my cup!
Great idea to keep yourself to keep drinking water throughout the day. Though, 15 glasses cups a day is an awful lot, overhydration is a thing, too!
Good lookin’ out! I did research it to make sure it was safe, and 15 glasses in a short period of time would be an awful lot, but spread out throughout the entire day isn’t anything to worry about. 🙂
This is a great idea! I need to try this now! I never drink enough water …
You should! It really helps!
I have a gallon container next to my desk. I’m hoping that will help me drink less soda.
Awesome! I bet it will 🙂
Yep, I do the same with a bottle of 1,5 l. Lately I’ve been trying to drink two a day – I know it’s a lot but if there’s something you can have too much, it’d be water! 🙂
Wandering Polka Dot
That’s about how much I drink, too! 🙂
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I tried having a bottle with me. I still didn’t drink much water at all. =/ I try to have at least a bottle of Vitaminwater with me… At least I know I can drink 1-2 bottles of something liquid a day.
At least I don’t really like soda, so it’s a rare thing for me to touch. I try to stick to natural/fresh juices, when I can.
At least you know what works for you! I think it took me some time to get into the habit of drinking enough. But now that I have a routine, it’s hard not to drink a lot of water. My body begins to crave it!
This is a great idea! I’ll have to try it! x
Blog | A Girl with a Camera
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Let me know how it goes! 🙂
I always drink more water when I have a filled pitcher nearby. 🙂
Meeee too, Crystal!
This is an amazing idea! Thank you for the tip! (:
Melly // mellymellychow.blogspot.com
Glad you like it, Melly! 🙂
I tote around a liter sized water bottle everywhere I go + make sure to drink at least four of them. it helps that the water bottle is pretty + has a lid, I would definitely knock that pitcher over sometime during the day…
Pretty water bottles are the best accessory! 😉
I downloaded Hydro Coach on my mobile and this is really helpfull. I also have bottle or full glass always next to me.
Ohh I’ll have to check out that app! What does it do exactly?
You enter your data, like weight, height, hours you wake up and go to sleep and then the app tells you how much water you should drink during the day and every few hours reminds you about the next glass
I do the same thing. Helps if it’s beautiful and decorative too 🙂
haha definitely! 🙂
I recently downloaded an app called Plant Nanny and it reminds you to “water your plant” throughout the day and you get to water it when you’ve had a drink of water! It makes a cute game out of drinking water!
lauren / lipstick & lacquer
I’m always trying to keep track of how many cups I drink, and I never end up reaching my goal. This looks so much easier! Thanks for sharing 🙂
-apieceofpositivity.com
I was the same way…this way is so much easier, promise! 🙂
Love that!! 🙂
I am tired of my kids dirtying cups in the kitchen. It would be great to find a bottled water brand that is inexpensive and healthy. Is there a brand that is fortified with vitamins that are good for kids?
http://www.absolutebottledwater.com/bottled-water-2
I keep a waterbottle on my office desk. Actually, I keep three plus two tumblers. Ha! But sometimes it’s still hard to get up and refill my bottles, especially on busy days. I just keep forgetting. I come in the office and go straight to work. At the end of the day, sometimes my bottles sits there without getting refilled. But I make sure I drink two glasses during each meal so that makes 6 glasses a day. Ha! I guess I need to add more.
Stay awesome!
http://www.heidepadilla.com/
Sounds like you’ve got a great system going, Heide!
No!!!! This makes me ashamed of myself not drinking enough water in a day! I only drink tea (does it count the same like water?) and drink about 7 – 8 cups a day. This what keeps me awake and focus on things. However, I do drink a lot of water during the hot summer days.
Oh no! No need to feel ashamed. 🙂 Tea is a great alternative (definitely better than soda!), but you may want to sneak some water in there too. 🙂
This is a great tip. I need to buy a nice pitcher for my desk.
Oh I hope you do Anna!
I would totally put a straw in the pitcher! hahaha
haha! That’s awesome.
I like to stir in cucumber, mint and/or lemon. Drool!
Oooo that sounds so refreshing! 😀
Great idea!
I mostly use insulated mugs with iced tap water because it’s the cheapest. (only 1 penny for 3.5 gallons of our city water supply). It’s enough for days!!
Insulated mugs are perfect! My papers don’t get wet from a sweaty glass. When it’s time to leave the house, I just add some extra ice and water. My back up are store brand bottled water.
As far as the question “am I drinking enough water?” I never count glasses, just check the toilet. If urine is very pale or clear. I’m getting enough.
Thanks again for sharing your tip.
Thanks for your comment, Kathy! It sounds like you’re doing a great job with drinking enough water! 🙂
That’s amazing…I need to drink more for sure…did you know if you drink thru a straw you will consume more, quickly, than if you drink without one? Think about how fast you can slurp down a coke from a fast food joint vs drinking from a glass at home…..it helps me…cause I’d never be able to drink much if I didn’t…… I’m enjoying your blog tips…I have so much to learn….love
That is such an interesting tip! I’ll have to try that out. Thanks for sharing, Renee! 😀
I bring a glass of lemon water to bed to drink right when I wake up. Then I make a pot of Steeped Tea in the morning and a pot of herbal or fruit tea in the evening.
This is such a great idea, Amber 🙂 Thank you for sharing!