5 Fun Ways to Hydrate That Aren’t Plain Old Water

Tired of drinking water? There are other great ways to hydrate.

As important as hydration is for good health, relying on water as your primary fluid source can get quite boring. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself guzzling jars of water without really wanting to. It’s easy to go overboard in an attempt to hydrate, so you should assess what your unique fluid needs are. Eight cups a day should not be a blanket recommendation for everyone, and you’ll want to consider things like climate, physical activity, foods you’re eating and medical history. Checking urine color is a simple way to do a hydration check, with light to pale yellow urine indicating good hydration. If you’re constantly going to the bathroom and/or your urine is transparent, this is a sign you may want to cut back on fluids. If your urine is a deep yellow or brown, it’s time to up the hydration (keep in mind, though, that some vitamins and medications may impact urine color).