Some people love water.
Others take one sip, get bored immediately and forget about the bottle for the next six hours.
If plain water is not your thing, staying hydrated can feel like a chore, especially when you are running, tramping or spending long days outdoors.
The good news is that hydration does not have to mean forcing down endless glasses of plain water.
Here are a few simple ways to make drinking more appealing.
1. Add some flavour
This is probably the easiest win.
Add lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, berries or another favourite fresh flavour to your bottle.
A little flavour can make water much more appealing without turning every drink into a sugary one.
HydraPak bottles such as the Recon or Flux make it easy to fill, add your ingredients and head out.
2. Try water at a different temperature
Some people hate room-temperature water but will happily drink it ice cold. Others prefer it slightly warmer, particularly in winter.
Experiment.
Add ice before leaving home, chill your bottle overnight or choose an insulated hydration option when you want your drink to stay cooler for longer.
Sometimes the problem is not water. It is boring, lukewarm water.
3. Electrolytes can add flavour too
Electrolyte tablets and powders can make water more interesting while also replacing salts lost through substantial sweating.
They are particularly useful during long, intense activity or when you are exercising or working hard in hot conditions.
They are not something every bottle automatically needs, though. For most ordinary days, water and a normal diet will cover your hydration needs.
If you do use a mix, bottles such as the Stow, Flux or SkyFlask make it easy to carry flavoured hydration on the move.
4. Eat some of your hydration
Fluid does not only come from drinks.
Foods such as watermelon, oranges, berries, cucumber, yoghurt and soups all contain plenty of water and contribute to your overall fluid intake. Healthify notes that around 20% of our water intake can come from food.
That does not replace carrying water on a long adventure, but it can make staying hydrated throughout the day feel much less tedious.
5. Keep your drink where you can see it
Out of sight, out of mind applies remarkably well to hydration.
Keep a bottle on your desk, in the ute, beside your pack or somewhere you naturally reach throughout the day.
On the trail, a hydration reservoir can make drinking easier because the hose sits within reach while you move.
The easier it is to access, the more likely you are to actually use it.
6. Sip when you want to, not by some complicated rule
You do not need to turn hydration into a spreadsheet.
For most healthy adults, thirst is a useful signal that it is time to drink, although needs increase with heat, exercise and heavy sweating.
If you struggle to drink larger amounts, smaller sips throughout the day may feel much easier.
7. Give yourself options
There is no rule saying every drink must be plain water.
Tea, coffee, milk and many other non-alcoholic drinks contribute to fluid intake too. Healthify notes that even caffeinated drinks still count towards hydration.
Water is still a great everyday choice, but variety can make staying hydrated much easier if plain water is what puts you off.
Make hydration easier, not harder
If you hate drinking water, the answer is not necessarily to force yourself to enjoy it.
Make it colder. Add flavour. Carry a bottle you actually like using. Keep it somewhere convenient. Eat water-rich foods. Use electrolytes when the situation genuinely calls for them.
The best hydration strategy is the one you will actually stick with.
And if adding a slice of lemon is what gets the bottle emptied, that seems like a pretty easy win.
FAQ
How can I stay hydrated if I do not like water?
There are so many options to experiment with! Try chilled water, natural flavourings, water-rich foods and other non-alcoholic drinks. The goal is consistent fluid intake rather than forcing yourself to drink plain water exclusively.
Does tea or coffee count towards hydration?
Yes. Caffeinated drinks still contribute to fluid intake, although water remains a good everyday choice.
Can food help keep you hydrated?
Yes. Foods with high water content, such as fruit, vegetables, yoghurt and soup, contribute to overall fluid intake.
Should I use electrolytes instead of water?
Usually not as a straight replacement. Electrolytes can be useful during prolonged, strenuous activity or heavy sweating, particularly in hot conditions.
How can I make water taste better?
Try adding fresh fruit, mint, cucumber or citrus, or experiment with chilled or iced water if temperature is part of the problem.
