In the near-decade I’ve been a health editor, the most important thing I’ve learned is that there are no quick fixes or miracle cure-alls. But…the next best thing is water. Solid hydration habits can help support your joint, brain, and heart health. Want smooth, glowy skin? Make sure you’re getting enough H2O. Need to, ahem, get things moving? Water. Medical professionals agree that staying hydrated is key to feeling your best, while celebs like Beyoncé, Jennifer Aniston, J.Lo, and so many more say swigging copious amounts of water is one of their top wellness tips.
I know all of this—and surely you already do too. And yet, I’m really, really bad at drinking enough water. I’m definitely not alone here: A 2020 survey by OnePoll found that just 22% of Americans met the USDA’s daily water intake guidelines.
So what’s a gal to do (especially as temps tick up this summer)? I asked the SELF team to share their top strategies for making it easier—and more fun!—to drink those recommended 11 to 16 cups of water each day.
In this article:
The best way to make any habit stick is to make it convenient for you to do the thing. When it comes to staying hydrated, that means keeping a water bottle handy. While any old container will technically work, SELF editors go gaga for ones with an easy-to-sip design and the power to keep your bevvy cold all day. Oh yeah, and it’s gotta be cute.
Fellow Carter Carry Tumbler
“This is my new favorite water bottle because it stays colder than anything I’ve ever tried,” one SELF editor says about this tumbler from Fellow Products. “It’s also very easy to carry,” thanks to its metal handle and slim circumference. (And how about that Smoke Green colorway? Total heart-eyes.)
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler
The Stanley cup has been the water bottle for some time now—and one SELF editor says she totally gets why it went viral. “Not only does it look cute on my desk, but it also keeps my water cold all day long. And the outside never sweats, no matter how much ice I put inside,” she says.
Yeti Rambler
Another SELF editor says she loves to sip from her Stanley cup at home, but hates lugging it with her throughout the day because it’s so bulky. For her commute and at the office, she turns to the Yeti Rambler instead. “It’s the perfect to-go cup that actually keeps me hydrated at work. Before this, I was wasting plastic cups and never drinking enough because the ice would melt so quickly. Now, I actually get through multiple cups of water a day at work because it keeps my water chilled, plus it’s much less wasteful,” she says.
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
“I absolutely love the two-in-one design. The FreeSip is adorable, pretty lightweight (as far as metal water bottles go), and super easy to clean,” says one SELF editor, who admits she owns three of these stainless steel bottles. “Every time Owala drops a new color combination, I have to stop myself from immediately ordering it!” It comes in four different sizes—16, 24, 32, and 40 ounces—so you can Goldilocks your way to the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Corkcicle Series A Sport Canteen
If you don’t love water bottles with straws (like the Stanley or Owala), check out this bad boy from Corksicle. (And honestly, same—I feel like I never get them clean enough.) “The spout is completely covered by the cap so you never have to worry about it getting dirty or germy, and it’s small enough that you won’t accidentally douse yourself while trying to take a sip,” says one SELF editor.
Mix-ins, flavors, and bubbles (oh my!)
One reason why a hydration habit can be hard to stomach—this is the case for me, personally—is that water doesn’t taste like anything. Quel boring! I want it to feel like a little treat every time I take a sip, you know? Enter: fancy waters and flavor mix-ins. Many of the team’s top picks also offer an electrolyte boost, which is particularly helpful for rehydrating after you’ve done a bit of sweating, as SELF previously reported.
Hydrant Hydration Electrolyte Powder Stick Packets
“I drink one of these every morning to prevent that dreaded afternoon dehydration headache,” says one SELF editor. “The blood orange flavor is light and refreshing—plus it doesn’t contain any stevia (a must for me).”
Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate Electrolyte Powder
According to one SELF editor, this electrolyte booster helped power her runs on hot and humid days for two summers in a row. “It isn’t too sweet and really goes down easy,” she said. (“Thank you for reminding me I need to replace this because I used my entire stock last summer!” she adds.)
Cure Hydration Plant-Based Electrolyte Drink Mix
Another editor keeps her hydration rec simple and to the point: “This electrolyte mix is so, so good,” she says. It comes in delightful-sounding flavors like lemonade, watermelon, and tropical punch and its ingredient list includes coconut water powder and Himalayan salt, but no added sugar. (It does have stevia and monkfruit extracts for extra sweetness.) “I sweat super easily, and when I do, I sweat a ton. This stuff is such a nice boost,” she adds.
NOW Sports Nutrition Effer-Hydrate Electrolyte Supplement
I was introduced to this fizzing tablet at a wellness retreat (honestly, where else?) a few months back and have kept it stashed in my desk at work in order to add some flavor and sparkle to my water ever since. It has a nice fruity flavor without any of that fake-sugar aftertaste. And I love that all you have to do is drop a tablet into your glass—no spoon or mixing required.
Spindrift Sparkling Water
Once upon a time, I was not a sparkling water girlie. Then I tried Spindrift and my life was changed. I call it my “gateway seltzer” and buy it by the case. I love that Spindrift includes a smidgen of real fruit juice instead of fruit extracts to give it its taste (the amount varies by flavor, but it’s in the ballpark of 3% to 8% juice).
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker
Like I said, once I decided I liked seltzer, I was hooked—and it didn’t take long for me to decide I needed to invest in a SodaStream, which lets you add bubbles to regular H2O (and cuts down on waste—my recycling bin was overfloweth with Spindrift cans). Just note that, while carbonated water is A-OK for hydration, it does add excess gas to your gut. So if you’re prone to bloating or GI issues, you might want to skip the bubbles.
Keep scrolling for even more items that make it a joy to sip your H2O all day long.
OXO Good Grips Silicone Stackable Ice Cube Tray
One SELF editor says she loves to freeze fruit in her ice cubes and add them to her water. “It makes me feel fancy!” she says. Berries, citrus, and even herbs (like mint or basil) make great additions to your H2O. (This tray also makes the perfect-size cubes for your cocktails, but that’s a whole other article.)
Beis Sport Sling
What good does that new water bottle do you if you don’t bring it with you on your hot girl walks? This sporty cross-body bag from Beis (actor Shay Mitchell’s travel accessories brand) makes it easy to stay hands-free and hydrated when you’re on the go. It has a hidden water-bottle-holder compartment that you can unfurl to hold your Owala.
Beis Water Bottle Sling
If you have less stuff to carry, try this streamlined version of the Beis sling. It’s the perfect size for toting just the essentials: credit card, phone, keys, and your trusty water bottle. I bought this for my husband who likes to carry his “emotional support water bottle” wherever he goes (which means I would usually end up stashing it in my purse—not anymore!).
Calpak Water Bottle Holder
This holder from Calpak is another great pick for keeping your water within arm’s reach throughout your day. Just peep the fun colorways! I spy with my little eye polka dots, checks, and animal print, as well as bold hues like magenta, lavender, and cherry red. The water bottle pocket is also insulated to keep your water chilled for longer.
Related: