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Hydration Counts, Even Sitting at Work. Use These Tips.

July 11, 2019

Everybody knows they need to drink water every day. But it’s not always easy to remember this simple rule, especially in a busy work environment.

As summer heats up, it’s more important than ever to remember to keep yourself hydrated, even if you are just sitting at a desk.  Michelle Boisvert, an exercise physiologist with Hartford HealthCare’s GoodLife Fitness program, says drinking the right amount of water has many benefits, including reducing fatigue and helping to boost your metabolism.

She has the following tips that will help keep you routinely hydrated during work hours:

Snack on fruits & veggies. Drinking water is not the only way to hydrate your body. In fact, about 20% of our daily consumption of liquids comes from solid foods – so bring some celery sticks and baby tomatoes to munch on during your breaks! Other wonderfully hydrating fruits and veggies include melons, cucumbers, grapefruits, carrots, strawberries, and cauliflower.

Sip through a straw. Some people find that they mindlessly drink more water when they use straws. Whether straws provide that much-needed shortcut for you to reach your water source or drinking with straws is just more enjoyable and appealing, it’s worth giving it a try. You also have many crazy, bendy, and colorful straws to choose from to match your mood and personality, so make it fun!

Avoid dehydrating foods & drinks. Avoiding dehydration is just as important as striving for hydration. Stay away from sweetened beverages and processed foods, as sugar requires a lot of water for breakdown and metabolism. Drinking a can of soda may sound refreshing, but it will leave your body even more dehydrated than before.

Bring a water bottle. A personal reusable water bottle is a must-have to stay happily hydrated throughout the work day. Placing the bottle visibly on your desk will encourage you to take more frequent sips of water while inhibiting any cravings for less healthy beverages. It certainly beats making multiple trips to the fountain, which usually causes you to drink less, or purchasing bottles from the vending machine, which is expensive and creates plastic waste.

Infuse fruity flavors. Not a fan of the taste of plain water? Just add a spritz of lemon or lime juice for a citrusy twist to your drink. You can also infuse your favorite fruits, veggies, and herbs in water to extract their delicious flavors and get creative with the combinations – strawberry and cucumber water, rosemary and grapefruit water… the possibilities are endless!

For more on Hartford HealthCare’s GoodLife Fitness program, click here.