Hydration Hack: Keep a Water Bottle Nearby

Quick Win

Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and brain health. To that end, flip the “out of sight, out of mind” adage on its head.

Try This Today

• Choose a water bottle you enjoy drinking from that holds at least two cups (16 oz.) of water. Make sure it’s not too heavy or cumbersome when filled.
• Fill it each morning and keep it where you can see it — on your desk while you’re doing paperwork and on the coffee table while you’re watching TV, for example. Take it with you if you’re going to be away from home for several hours.
• Sip frequently throughout the day. Our sense of thirst declines with age and isn’t always trustworthy. When your bottle’s empty, refill it.
• Talk with your doctor if you’re unsure about how much water to aim for each day. Needs vary depending on other liquids consumed, diet, exercise habits, the weather, health conditions and medications.

Why

Staying hydrated is crucial for basic bodily functioning and good health, and many of us don’t consume enough water. More than 65 percent of U.S. adults ages 51 to 70 aren’t sufficiently hydrated, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, published in Nutrients in 2020. A 2023 report in eBioMedicine points to the health consequences of underhydration: In analyzing data from more than 11,000 adults ages 45 to 66, researchers found that those who had high serum sodium levels — a marker of poor hydration — aged faster, were more likely to develop chronic illnesses and died younger compared with those who were well-hydrated.