Every organ, every cell in your body contains water, and water also plays a key role when it comes to spinal health – click here to find out why. However, while it’s important to stay hydrated, it’s best to space out your water intake and drink consistently throughout the day rather than drinking it all in one go. For some tips on when the best times of day to drink water are, read on…
Best times to drink water
First thing
You wake up already dehydrated after sleep, so drinking a glass of water before you have any tea or coffee can really help set you up for the day.
After meals
As food moves through your digestive system, it absorbs water for its waste processes. As such, drinking water with food helps with your digestion, so always have a glass of water after a meal.
Mid afternoon
If you tend to have mid-afternoon slumps, it might be that it’s due to dehydration. So reach for water instead of caffeine or sugar to help with the slump instead.
Before you go to bed
Drinking too much water before bed might mean you have a disturbed night if you have to get up to go to the loo, so try having a sip or two of water before bedtime to help you stay hydrated through the night. If you do like to have a whole glass of water before bed, try having it an hour before your bedtime so that it doesn’t disturb your sleep.
Whenever you sweat
When you sweat, your body loses fluid so make sure you top up with a glass of water if you do anything that makes you sweat, whether it’s a sauna or a hot tub, time outside on a sunny day, or as a result of exercise.
If you feel hungry
Strangely, when you feel really hungry, it might be that you’re actually thirsty. This is because the brain can’t differentiate between the triggers for hunger and thirst. As such, when hunger strikes, try having a glass of water.
If you feel thirsty
And of course, having a drink of water if you feel thirsty is definitely recommended for hydration purposes!