Water Tips

Water is essential to good health - every system in our bodies relies on water¹. The Mayo Clinic informs us that our daily activities cause us to lose water, which must be replenished in order for our bodies to function properly. Year-round refreshment is also important as you need to drink additional water in hot or humid weather to help lower your body temperature and to replace what you lose through sweating. You may also need extra water in cold weather if you sweat while wearing insulated clothing.¹

But, with such busy lives, we may find it difficult to drink enough water everyday.

The Nutrition Information Center at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center offers the following easy tips for maintaining proper hydration:²

• Make water your preferred beverage.

• Drink chilled water for improved taste.

• Drink at the same times each day.

• Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water. By the time you feel thirsty, you probably have already lost two or more cups of your total body fluids.

• Develop a 'hydration habit' by having a glass of water when you wake up, one with each meal, and one at bedtime.

• Convenience is also the key to staying properly hydrated, so carry a bottle of water with you as you commute to work, run errands or enjoy a day at the beach.

• Keep single-serve bottles of water in your car, backpack or desk.

• Maintain easy access to water by keeping your refrigerator or cooler well-stocked at home or at the office.

• Take a water break instead of a coffee tea or soda break. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, causing you to lose water through increased urination. Alcoholic beverages have a similar effect.

• Hydrate before, during and after exercise. Don't underestimate the amount of fluids lost from perspiration.

• At social gatherings, substitute alcohol with water and a twist of lime or lemon.

• Choose a bottle of water instead of soft drinks or juice when you're out for lunch or dinner with friends.

• Add a slice of lemon or lime for flavor

• Don't forget that common maladies such as colds and the flu can frequently lead to dehydration. So, when you¿re sick, keep a large bottle of water next to your bed to sip it throughout the day without having to get up.

• Check your urine to make sure you're getting enough water. You should urinate every two to three hours during the day, and it should be clear to pale yellow in color.

Now that you've discovered some useful information about water, perhaps you are ready to incorporate bottled water into your lifestyle. It's easy! You don't need to revamp your entire diet or daily routine, just follow a few of the tips above and you'll be well on your way to getting enough water for your body.

Sign Up for Bottled Water Delivery Today!

Water is calorie-free, inexpensive and conveniently available from Water.com. So remember to take bottled water with you as you go about your day - it's never been easier to stay properly hydrated with bottled water.

Healthy Living, Exercise and Hydration

The National Institute of Health reminds us that exercise is an important factor in staying healthy.³ We also know that maintaining proper hydration is very important when exercising, in order to get the most out of our workouts and so that we do not become dehydrated as we sweat.⁴

So, remember - it's important to drink plenty of cool water to keep you hydrated throughout the day.⁵

Emergency Preparedness

Disasters happen. But having a personal emergency plan and adequate supplies can boost your level of comfort when the unexpected occurs, whether it's an earthquake, hurricane, storm or other crisis. Bottled water is an excellent choice for emergency water storage and, of course, daily refreshment.

When putting together home emergency supplies, emergency preparedness guidelines issued by Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness recommends that families assemble an emergency supply kit that includes bottled water - at least three gallons of water per person.⁶ The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) advises consumers to store bottled water at room temperature or cooler, out of direct sunlight, and away from solvents and chemicals such as gasoline, paint thinners, household cleaners, and dry cleaning chemicals.

Water Preparedness Suggestions

The following tips can be helpful when preparing your home for natural disasters:

• Store PET (8 oz, 16.9 oz or 24 oz), 2.5 gallon and 1 gallon size bottles of drinking water for easy handling. You may want to store bottles of water in different locations for easy access.

• Remember to rotate and replace every six months the bottled water you have stored for emergency preparedness.

• Put supplies in a large container such as a plastic trash can with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place away from any chemicals or solvents.

• Label each food and water item with date of purchase or note the expiration date or "use by" date.

• For maximum freshness, rotate food and bottled water every six months.

IBWA also serves as a critical information source for members and the public who are seeking to provide bottled water emergency relief supplies to communities in the wake of natural disasters or other emergencies. The IBWA web site hosts the "IBWA Emergency Response Directory (ERD)," which contains a list of national, regional, and local organizations and government agencies. Individuals and organizations interested in providing emergency bottled water relief supplies can use the ERD to navigate successfully through the proper channels and help those in need. IBWA will work to update this document on a regular basis and welcomes updated or corrections to listings.

Sign Up for Bottled Water Delivery Today from Water.com & DS Waters family of fine brands.

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¹ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283
²http://www.livingwaterco.com/important_news_and_info.html
³http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002393.htm
⁴http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/hydrate_needs_exercise.html
⁵ http://www.fitness.gov/publications/council/nutrition_pdf.pdf
⁶http://www.getagameplan.org/planFamily.htm
Spigt MG, Kuijper EC, Schayck CP, Troost J, Knipschild PG, Linssen VM, Knottnerus JA. "Increasing the daily water intake for the prophylactic treatment of headache: a pilot trial." Eur J Neurol. 2005 Sep;12(9):715-8.
*Drinking too much water can cause problems such as water intoxication and, while it is unlikely, it should be something of which to be aware.