At one point or another, we all wonder, "How much water should we be drinking?" It’s no secret that water has the best benefits for us. It gives us energy, helps aid in digestion, and even gives us healthy, glowing skin. Those who drink an adequate amount of water are three times as happy as those who don't drink enough water. While any time of day is a great time to get some fluids in, there are certain times throughout the day when water benefits the body the most.

Because our body is made up of 60% water, we have to consume enough water to keep a healthy function. Otherwise, dehydration can become uncomfortable and possibly turn serious if unintentional. Not drinking enough water can cause the following symptoms:

• Constipation
• Dark urine 
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Dry Mouth
• Dry Skin

Despite being told that drinking 8 glasses of water a day was the recommended amount for everyone, this is just a myth. Recommended water intake is determined based on factors including sex, weight, physical abilities, and geographical location. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an appropriate amount of daily water consumption is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women.

When Should I Drink Water?

Morning

There’s nothing better than waking up first thing in the morning and drinking a tall glass of water. After not drinking while sleeping for 6-8 hours, our body gives us the gentle reminder to nourish ourselves with water before we become dehydrated. Drinking water in the morning aids in digestion while removing all the built-up toxins. Water also kickstarts our metabolism, helping us feel fuller and burn more calories throughout the day. Those who dread getting up in the morning and end up dragging themselves out of bed will find that water is the perfect solution. Not only does it help with fatigue by rehydrating the body, but also it lowers anxiety levels. As a result, water prepares us to take on any day with a healthy mindset. 

Before Eating

Just as drinking water gets metabolism moving first thing in the morning, it also acts as a craving blocker and helps prevent overeating. Often, we feel we're hungry when we are most likely dehydrated, but we need to supply our bodies with healthy fluids instead. A study showed that drinking 16.9 ounces of water before eating breakfast resulted in a 13% decrease in calories consumed.

Before AND After Workouts

There’s no denying that fueling our workouts with water is hands-down the most important thing we can do. Consuming sufficient amounts of water is vital for workouts. Good nutrition and sleep are the next best things to fuel the body. With most physical activity, we lose fluids through sweat, therefore needing to replace them and any lost electrolytes. Without replacing fluids and electrolytes, our body cannot function. So, be sure to stock up on water, and if needed, an electrolyte replenisher (like DrinkLyte!) for the next sweat sesh planned.

Afternoon

Nobody likes that 2 pm slump. Whether it’s the sugar crash from the cake at an office party or the after-lunch slump that has you tempted to take a nap at your desk, sitting down at a desk all day is real and dangerous. Instead of going for coffee, drink some water instead. Water will process the sugar throughout the body by flushing the toxins out and will help with the fatigue.

Bedtime

When drinking water before bedtime, many don’t like to overdo it, because then they are going back and forth to the bathroom all night. If this sounds familiar, try having a few sips of water here and there as bedtime creeps closer. You might experience extreme thirst at night because you aren't hydrating enough during the day. If drinking most of your daily consumption occurs before getting into bed, it’s a sign to spread out the recommended daily water intake. If this proves to be difficult, try setting reminders throughout the day. A time marker water bottle, like this one, is also a great option because this bottle tracks both the time of day and the water intake.