Water is the unsung hero of your body. Think of your body like a car; water is the essential coolant, lubricant, and fuel that keeps everything running smoothly. Even slight dehydration—losing as little as 1-2% of your body’s water—can slow you down, causing fatigue, affecting your mood, and making it harder to focus. Staying properly hydrated, on the other hand, boosts your energy, improves digestion, helps your skin glow, and supports all your vital organs. It’s the simplest, most fundamental step you can take for your overall health.

If drinking plain water all day feels like a chore, don’t worry. Here are 10 simple, practical tips to help you make hydration a simple and effective habit:

1. Start Your Day with a Glass

Make it a morning ritual. Before you reach for coffee or breakfast, drink a full glass of water. After a night’s rest, your body is naturally dehydrated. This first glass rehydrates you quickly, kick-starts your metabolism, and signals to your body that it’s time to wake up.

2. Keep Water Visible and Accessible

The old saying “out of sight, out of mind” applies perfectly here. Get a reusable water bottle you genuinely like and keep it with you at all times—on your desk, in your car, or next to your favorite chair. Seeing it acts as a constant, gentle reminder to take a sip.

3. Use the “Pairing” Method

Tie drinking water to an activity you already do automatically. For example, drink a glass of water before you have your morning coffee, before every meal, or after you visit the restroom. Soon, the established habit will automatically cue the new one.

4. Flavor It Naturally

If plain water is too boring, liven it up! Skip sugary drinks and instead add natural flavors. Try slicing cucumbers, lemons, limes, berries, or mint and infusing them in a pitcher of water in your fridge. This gives you a refreshing, flavorful drink without added calories.

5. “Eat” Your Water

About 20% of your daily fluid intake comes from food. Incorporate water-rich fruits and vegetables into your diet. Foods like watermelon, strawberries, lettuce, celery, and tomatoes have very high water content and contribute significantly to your hydration goals.

6. Set Gentle Reminders

In today’s tech-filled world, let your phone do the work. Set alarms or use a hydration app that sends you a notification every hour or two. A quick ping on your phone that says, “Time to sip!” is an easy way to stay on track throughout a busy day.

7. Drink Before You’re Thirsty

Thirst is your body’s signal that it’s already slightly dehydrated. The goal is to get ahead of that feeling. Try to consistently sip water throughout the day, even when you don’t feel parched.

8. Use the Urine Color Test

This is a simple, no-tech way to gauge your hydration level. Ideally, your urine should be a pale yellow, like the color of straw. If it’s dark yellow or amber, you need to drink more water. Clear urine might mean you’re drinking too much too quickly.

9. Replace Dehydrating Drinks

Drinks like sodas, high-sugar fruit juices, and excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine can actually cause you to lose more water than they provide. For every dehydrating beverage you consume, make a point to follow it up with an extra glass of water to balance the effects.

10. Strategize Around Exercise and Heat

When you exercise or are out in hot weather, your body loses fluids rapidly through sweat. You need to proactively replenish. Drink water before, during, and after any physical activity. For long, intense workouts, consider an electrolyte drink to replace lost salts and minerals, but for everyday activities, pure water is usually best.

Making these tips a part of your daily life is like performing regular, essential maintenance on your body. The result is a noticeable improvement in your energy levels, focus, and overall vitality.