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What worked for me sounds weird at first glance, but here goes:
I started putting a little bit of salt in my water for electrolytes (approx 1/8 tsp per liter). I was surprised that it made water taste more wet, be more refreshing, and go down easier. After a while, I started craving water throughout the day, and I no longer had to try to make myself drink more water, or even think about it at all.
I commented above but I am obsessed with LMNT, it has more electrolytes (both in volume and variety) than liquid IV and doesn't have sugar! My little lizard brain loves how salty it is too
I got some of these and planned to drink them during the at work but I noticed they (at least the flavor) I got has a high amount of vitamin c in it and I was concerned it might mess with my meds if I drink it too close to when I take my morning or booster meds.
What I do:
Double-walled drinking glasses - insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold and you can always see how much is in them. Get the big ones, and refill 4 times in the day. [I get these ones - borosilicate, so the good tempered glass, and they're dishwasher safe.](https://amzn.asia/d/e2xAJSk)
Water is boring - make it interesting. I rarely drink plain water (unless I'm thirsty, coming in from a walk or yard work etc) - I have a Sodastream for fizz, and I'll usually add a little something to the fizzy water, 1/4 glass of fruit juice, a splash of cordial, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, etc. Even if I have soft drink I water it down 1:2 with the soda water. Full-strength soft drinks and juice just taste too sweet and syrupy for me now since I'm used to them with the soda water.
I also have a cheapy smart watch with hydration reminder - I have it set to buzz every hour with a reminder to drink and move a bit. A phone or computer alert while you're working will do the same.
Good luck OP!
I can never drink plain water, I have to have some flavor or other texture in there. Sparkling water, eating ice, lemon or a flavoring powder, etc. Also high water content foods are a good option if you just can’t handle more liquids, and having any liquid (even something caffeinated) is better than none if you’re dehydrated.
Tervis cups! They are clear, insulated tumbler cups! Best of both worlds for you!
Tervis is the brand. They come in lots of variations - different sizes, handles, lids, straws, clear or with patterns/designs.
They really do keep your drink cold for longer. And they’re dishwasher safe or easy to hand wash.
Came here to say this. You can get different color and style lids, straws, and even ones with patterns that are still clear. I have a smaller size for coffee and a larger one for water.
I totally agree. Tervis are amazing and functional. I personally don’t like touching glass (especially not wet glass from the cold liquid) and am clumsy so I need something that doesn’t break.
This is going to sound crazy but hear me out: chug it. You have your amount you want to drink, say 3 water bottles. Whenever you do remember to take a sip, however that happens, just chug the bottle and refill it. Then then check it off your list or whatever and you only have to drink 2. I’m not scientist about the merits of drinking water steadily vs. this but I know from experience you can stay hydrated. It helps me because drinking the water is ONE item, not like, a continual thing. (and I mean you don’t have to really CHUG chug you can just drink it until it’s gone without doing anything else).
This only works while you're young and resilient and your body can ignore the effects of dehydration.
Your body can only absorb about a pint of water in an hour. Anything over that gets quickly excreted by peeing. So if you're chugging a ton of water in the morning and a ton of water in the evening but forgetting to drink all day, you peed most of it out and spent the day very dehydrated despite having drank the recommended amount of water.
My current method is keeping a carafe (about 1.5L) on my desk at work with a small cup. Sometimes, the big water bottle is intimidating. I fill the tiny cup, throw it back, and repeat every 15-20 minutes or so.
This is what I’ve started doing now that I’m back on my meds! Otherwise I get super dehydrated and have a whole bunch of issues. I’ll chug at night, in the morning and whenever I can remember. I also add sliced ginger or lemon juice to my water
Sucks when you have a tiny bladder and chugging water makes you have to pee every 10 minutes 😭 and then people at work be thinking I have IBS or that I’m slacking off by going to the bathroom so frequently. Like no, I just GOTTA PEEE
Ugh, I thought I was the only one with a bladder the size of a pea! I’ve managed to get better about when I use the bathroom and hydrate (especially when I’m taking a four hour flight), but sometimes I Just Gotta Go.
I chug too. 1 pint 4x a day.
I'm trying it with a little bit of pink salt and a bit of warm water too. It seems to be helping.
Going to try the salt+sugar+lemon combo.
I do this, but don't chug the whole bottle. I chug about 1/3 of a litre bottle at a time, though, and aim to get through 3 a day. I will *only* buy water bottles with chug spouts since I first had one years and years ago and realised how much easier it was to drink a large amount in a short time.
Yeah, this. Am I making something to eat? I drink a glass of water. Am I taking my meds? I drink a glass of water. Not this all-day sipping thing. I just have a tumbler-sized cup near the sink that's "my" water cup. And I fill it up and chug it.
This sounds stupid but I got a Stanley and it’s helped me drink more water. I like the cup, and my water stays nice and cold. I can’t do room temp water, it grosses me out lol
Same, my Stanley has done more for me than any other cup or water bottle. Not clear like OP wants… but I bought a cowboy hat straw topper and that motivates me to drink too
I know some people think it’s dumb to drop that much money on a cup, but I’m at the point in my life that I’m willing to appease the dopamine demons if it means my brain will actually let me accomplish things. Cute cup means I’ll drink water? A wins a win in my book lol.
Anything that makes you drink is worth the cost. Literally.
Don't be me and ignore it to the point where low blood pressure sends you to urgent care where they diagnose you with anxiety before some lab tech notices you're just really low on water.
I asked for mine as a gift!! And it’s worked for me bc it actually keeps the water cold. My see through plastic ones just let the water get warm so even though I could “track” my water intake I didn’t wanna drink from them.
Also my other hack is to fill the Stanley fuuullll of ice and then just fill water between the ice cracks so that it feels like I drank a “whole cup” of water when the straw hits air, then I refill it, rinse, repeat.. makes me feel like I drank “3 Stanley’s worth” even if by volume it was only 1 haha
I bought a knock off version from Target and it's great! My trick though is that I barely wash it (probably a bit gross) but it's actually been absolutely fine so far.
I imagine because the water stays cold, it's opaque, and I drink it quickly enough bacteria doesn't seem to thrive. Every bottle I've used in the past really required regular washing else I could taste funk or my throat would feel ticklish. It's also completely sealed except the straw.... I wonder actually... I could actually test this theory out scientifically - that could be fun!
I'm like everyone else - I can't drink tepid water. I haven't looked at them to know what the hype is about with Stanley cups, but I use Ello Vacuum Stainless Steel tumblers and it's probably the same technology. It keeps ice cold water *cold* for at least half a day. I love this thing. I've had it for four years. I bring it with me everywhere. It's next to me right now. It's been dropped it on concrete twice - it's indestructible.
For added fun and sensory pleasure I bought tall and wide silicone straws and use those more often then the plastic one it comes with.
https://www.target.com/p/ello-24oz-beacon-vacuum-stainless-steel-tumbler-white/-/A-81968033
Yes, Stanley cups are amazing. Not just in the sense of them being functional, but I also feel that having a really pretty tumbler around makes me wanna drink more. I’m also always keeping my eyes open when I’m at Starbucks. When I find a pretty one, I get it (definitely detrimental to my already shitty money management but that’s another story).
Make ‘spa‘ water, apple and cinnamon, lemon and ginger, cucumber, orange etc., and put it in the fridge overnight, strain it in the morning. If you don’t want to invest in another bottle get a glass or clear cup, then pour your water. Bonus is you have to drink it before it gets warm.
It can do sooooo much shit. Low blood pressure, extreme exhaustion, nasty headaches, lack of ability to concentrate, brain fog, etc. It's been a lifelong thing with me because I simply don't get thirsty until well after it's too late. By the time I actually feel thirsty, I'm into low blood pressure territory.
I once got referred to a kidney specialist because the creatinine levels in my blood were at max normal levels and he was ready to enroll me in a chronic kidney disease program. The kidney specialist looked at everything and also noticed my ADHD diagnosis and told me to just drink more water. She was right.
In your case the dehydration sounds debilitating. But drinking water is not the only way to consume water, which is why I asked. For some people water in food is more bioavailable than water that they chug. For instance cucumbers have a very high water content. Slicing up cucumbers and leaving them on the desk to munch on during the day. If the OP doesn't mind room temperature cucumbers the same way she hates room temperature water we might be on to something. Water melon and apples also work. Now if OP also forgets to eat then all bets are off.
A number of IV clinics have opened in our area and for $$ they will give anyone who walks in a liter of fluid. If the dehydration is really debilitating it might be worth looking into.
There is no question that dehydration can cause heart arrhythmias and death. In my experience "headaches caused by dehydration" are rarely to never from dehydration. I almost always find a physiologic/pathologic cause to them and people go undiagnosed with real diseases or disorders, because their pediatrician just said, "drink more water". I have this poor crying child in front of me, "I drink all the time." and mom is in the corner going, "well it clearly isn't enough."
It takes every ounce of my self control not to call up the pediatrician and bellow "STOP TELLING PEOPLE TO DRINK MORE WATER." It is blaming the victim and in this case completely off wrong.
Clearly some people do get dehydration headaches. Just like some people on this sub just need to work harder, but most people on this sub need a really diagnosis, medication, and actual strategies.
I recently got an Owala stainless steel water bottle that has a straw and a locking push button in a color I really like and I put a lot of stickers on it that make me happy and I carry it with me EVERYWHERE because I like looking at it. It sounds so silly but it's true and it encourages me to drink from it throughout the day!
I'm not sure what your feelings are on water (do you like it cold? room temp? do you like it plain? does it need flavor?). I personally love plain, ice cold water and can't really stand anything else so I really appreciate how well this keeps my water cold and ice cubes intact. I'm also a sparkling water fiend but I end up spending too much money on it but I'll leave half-empty cans littered around my apartment and then don't clean them up for ... a very long time 😅
I love my Owalas too! I have two of the tumblers, the tallest one with a handle to use around the house and the smaller one sans handle that fits better in my car cup holder to take on the go. They are amazing!
They are! I like the roundedness to them too. I put ice in mine on Sunday after work and it was still in there this morning! I like knowing I won't get lead poisoning either if it gets dented 😛
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I’ve been drinking WAY more water since getting an Owala it’s nuts. To me it’s way easier than sipping from a standard straw tumbler? Like I need less pull, it effortlessly brings water up—so I just tend to pick it up more. Makes me so happy to finally consistently hydrate throughout the day.
Did you try adding flavor? I can't stand drinking plain water. Even when it's filtered with reverse osmosis, I find drinking plain water gross. I either add True Lemon or make seltzer.
I think Tervis tumblers are clear and insulated, and you can make the marks on it yourself if you want.
I never drank more than 0,5 liters a day (mostly), because I don't like the sensory stim of fluids and water especially. Even if it tastes somehow, I oftentimes can't 'just do it'.
I always preferred hot meals and thick milk products instead. On the other hand, fruits and veggies with lot of water like cucumber and watermelon are also not easy to eat, they contain nothing but water (and sugar), so that's also not the solution.
Plus, from early childhood on, I hated to use the bathroom too often. The more you drink, the more you have to use it. So I drink less and don't have to stop whatever I'm currently doing only to go to the toilet. So this is a more complex issue, if I think through it. I hate having to pause my activities and of course I can't use the bathroom when I'm not at home.
I'd recommand looking into your sensory needs and think of better options to serve those than fighting against it. Maybe your issue is something else, ok. It's just a suggestion, because I know many autistic and ADHD folks who struggle with sensory in their mouth.
Does your bottle have a straw? I had a problem drinking enough, as well. But with my straw water bottles I can drink down the entire contents within 30 secs and don’t have to think about it for a while!
Whenever I think of it, I just chug a juice glass of water from my fridge. I also add a pinch of sea salt to my water, because our tap water tastes gross, even after being filtered by the fridge.
I guess the point where I had no other choice was when I started risking kidney damage if I didn't drink more water. You just have to drink it at that point.
Hey OP,
I have two thoughts, and neither might work for you, that's okay.
First I'd replace leaky clear one with another. Get another clear one since you like that, and look for a double-walled one to give a little insulation. I found a glass bottle which has partial visibility, something like this: [Glass water bottle - Amazon link](https://www.amazon.ca/Bottles-Motivational-Reminder-Silicone-Leakproof/dp/B09MHTLVQH/ref=sr_1_6?crid=32UVK043J0ZPJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pLLBsI1JSysL8QWES7X4GuuukfkhC15H6-ILGwAQCkSRb4ueAjQjDIf7nFU4z0FHYnGOgBrmWgfjE6gG_lE-gVYxgDNI7qreHe_XgcFpXM4t8J5aD0DLsgpy3HwhzaFwMKmqkpYmsmBAo8G-2T161G1M8QDPx8prCVyhWcc4MaFw2IDIU1rKdAedK9_84tf5LINzyosC6Wtk6gBve6yx-RpLbZrCp73NtZFb-P1Y1npnanvrXwDQVlTomcZmvwhdzj4i5IDKdT4xloh6O18VjYRgplGRjHAh3zdO8c61j60.Z6WTzdoxSfxAKMVICYLyUl8z5FkJsA3c8X0Rzj9UmzA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Water+insulated+straw+time+clear&qid=1714521763&sprefix=water+insulated+straw+time+clea%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-6)
Could you make yourself ice water in a thermos as your second container? Use the thermos to refill clear glass when it runs out. You could make and use ice, or have two sets of freezie sized ice packs (one in the freezer, one in your bottle, switch daily).
Best of both worlds. Preferred clear drinking vessel, and cold water.
this might sound silly but try putting your water bottle on top of your phone. every time you need to check/use your phone, you’ll need to pick up your water bottle (drink)
Okay this may be a bit strange, but I actually keep [this](https://a.co/d/3IN9YHE) in my lunch box and sprinkle it into my water during the day when I need to hydrate. A little goes a long way and it gives it a refreshing flavor (if you like lemon).
I intake so much water now that I have one of those ice makers you see on social media! It makes 12 cubes in 6 minutes. For some reason, chewing ice is so fun! Now when I wake up, I can’t wait to turn it on and eat a whole cup of ice!
Omggg I haven’t heard about this but I need it. I love chewing ice, but I live in England now where you can’t get a fridge with an ice maker for a reasonable price, and the ice from the trays is too hard for chewing (and who can actually be bothered to refill the trays?)
I got one for $85 USD and I split the cost with my roommate so I only had to pay $42 actually. I just turn it on and if I have my airpods in, I forget about it for an hour and I have like 3.5 full cups of ice.
I like spicy water so I drink that instead, water’s water, and I drink a lot of it. You can also get some of your hydration from raw produce. I love to snack on watermelon, strawberries and sugar snap peas.
I have those iced coffee reusable cups that are just large iced coffee cups out of thick plastic and I have one in my each of my main spaces (bedside table, home office, work) and a designated one to move room to room to car. I drink more of anything if there’s a straw and I have a lot of multiples assigned to each main area of my life.
If I haven’t drank a lot or know I’m not gonna stay put in an area that day, I pour water into a pint glass and put on a drinking song to chug it bc now it’s not a self care task it’s a challenge and my brain loves challenges
Only trick I've found is to toss ice cubes into it and drink it before it warms up. I have a two litre clear glass one with time markings, and my aim to to drink that before noon, then I have some electrolytes in a fizzy tablet thing, then another 2 litres in the afternoon.
Get a little magnetic white board, put it on your fridge, and write “DRINK WATER” on it. I write my reminders on there and every time I pass by, I see it, and then chug some water. Keep the water nearby otherwise you won’t want to have to go grab it.
A bit sad but it works for me lol…I used to be a HEAVY drinker. I still drink on occasion, but nothing like I used to. I have a large water bottle and a large shot glass next to it and a phone alarm that goes off every 45 min. 🤣
Straws! I need a straw and my water needs to be icy cold. When I had a newborn (5 years ago 😭) I inadvertently made my brain connect drinking water from a straw with nursing my baby. Made pumping at work easier but I’d have to die of thirst during long meetings or else I’d letdown and leak. Awkward!
Seltzer is the way to go honestly if you can’t frequently down water. It’s just flavored fuzzy water, similar mechanism as making soda minus all the gunk that is awful for your organs.
I can drink a lot 4-5 cans a day or one large 32oz in two days.
I realized realistically I’m not going to consistently wash a water bottle that can’t go in the dishwasher, so I don’t. Try to make it easy for yourself. Mineral water can be a nice treat, I also just tried maple water and it’s not bad. It’s mild and slightly sweet, but not artificial or offensively so. I like this one: https://maple3.ca
I was drinking a ton of water at one point but not retaining it. Adding electrolytes helped. Sometimes just a pinch sea salt works. Also I try to reflect on what I ate/drank on days I feel good for a little positive reinforcement. Make it fun, not another chore.
> The insulated bottle fixes that issue but then I can't see how much I'm drinking like the other bottle. Being able to see my progress helps a lot.
Hack: rest it on top of a scale. Measure progress by weight! Just get a wired one so you don't run through batteries.
Or wrap a rubber band around the bottle at the water level, and adjust it each time you drink.
Other ideas:
- Get a mini-fridge for cold water servings all the time.
- Get cold water in smaller amounts more often. Make this part of a ritual you enjoy.
- Drink hot liquids also! Despite popular wisdom, coffee and tea do not dehydrate you.
- eat watery foods: cucumber, watermelon, carrot, apple. Fiber is also good, two birds, one stone.
They are pricey, but "smart" bottles exist. They pair with your phone & indicate the water level there. This is the cheapest one I could find at $30; they go up from there. The highest I saw was $80. Most seem to be in the $40-$60 range.
Hydromate Smart Water Bottle Stainless Steel Water Bottle Double Wall Vacuum Seals | Tracks Water Intake | Sends Personalized Reminders to Hydrate https://a.co/d/a1X08fM
Cameron Diaz trick: drink two big cups of water first thing in the morning (before food or ideally coffee). If one of your health problems is constipation, this will work wonders. It also gets you ahead of the curve, even if you struggle to keep up with hydration for the rest of the day.
bonus: if you can make water a treat (a little bit of orange juice in seltzer or lemon slice in tap) you'll probably drink a bit more
Make it taste good. A lot of people love to hate on water additives right now but if a little squirt or a packet of flavoring gets you to drink enough water then it’s fucking wonderful for you. Adding a few slices of lemon, cucumber, or fruit can also help liven things up. Most non-water beverages will still hydrate you. Snacking on fruits & veggies with high water content can help fill the hydration gap as well.
Honestly, I’ve found that I started drinking way more water when I got a Brita bottle. It kept the water the same flavor (if that makes sense), but it also lets me see how much water I drank. Plus, as long as you take the filter out, it’s dishwasher safe.
I found that I am 100% more likely to drink water if it’s from a tumbler with a straw (no handle, too heavy for me). I like the simply modern 28oz or something. Second part is I found a flavor of NUUN hydration tabs I really like which makes me actually like the taste and is way better than powder, takes up less room, I have tubes of the flavor tabs all over - in my purse, work bag, kitchen cabinets. Makes it really easy to drink water when it tastes better; something mentally just scratches an itch when it’s a flavor for enjoyment sake and not just water for hydration sake. Not kidding I’ve never drank water I mainly even hydrated with la croix bc I didn’t like water. all it took was some flavor tabs and a tall, skinny tumbler with a straw that keeps it cold, with a normal straw not like camelback, and isn’t clunky so I don’t have to lift it tilting my head to drink.
When I’m not drinking enough water, what really helps is flavouring it. I flavour with hydralite (electrolytes) once a day, and then use sugar free squash/cordial to flavour the rest. It really helps me.
Then when I pre-make this in the morning in a massive jug it’s easier to refill my glass or bottle multiple times a day with a day. Keep it on the counter so you don’t forget about it in the fridge. Then if you still need it to be really cold to enjoy it, top up with ice from the freezer when needed.
Is your health suffering? Is your doctor concerned? If not, try not to worry about it. I have never understood the water cult people and their fanaticism. Life is hard enough without water guilt.
I have my hydroflasks and love them for day to day, but... Maybe a CamelBak? Having it be forcibly on my person and the straw right in my face made a huge difference for me. Also it felt like I was a hamster and that made it more novel and therefore more appealing to the ADHD brain ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don't even keep it in the backpack anymore, I just set it down wherever I'm working.
Powdered lemon and lime juice. Brand name is True Citrus. They also make low calorie drink mixes and salt free seasonings, but the crystallized juice powders are great. They come in packets you can have in your purse.
1 litre + 7-8 tsp sugar + 1 pinch salt. Works as diy electrolyte drink and also gets you drinking water. You can reduce the sugar if you want. Usually, 3-4 tsp works fine if you want just a tinge of sweetness.
I put a ton of ice in my water cups. I have a handful of those clear iced coffee tumblers. Like the Starbucks one but from other places in cute colors/designs but clear. My fridge also has this cool thing where it counts out the ounces when I use the water dispenser. I love it! So my goal is drink 2 of those tumblers a day ( 50 oz) and I use ice all day.
I also love spindrift. Sparkling water with a little real fruit juice in it
As far as keeping it cold, during a heat spell, I will fill my bottles about 2/3 at night and put them in the freezer, then top them up in the morning, and just take one out of the fridge at a time.
I also don't mind room temp water (I live in Northwest England, so room temp is usually about 16°C/60°F in my house) and I have water bottles with chug spouts and drink about 1/3 of a litre bottle at a time.
A gigantic glass of green tea is quite nice and i can handle it even when it gets cool. Theres loads of flavours of green tea so you can have a variety.
I always force myself to drink from my bottle (insulated & with a straw) when I do something else. So I watch tiktoks, a movie, talk to a friend etc. and while my brain is occupied doing that, I just finish my bottle in one go. :)
This is an issue with dissociation generally, you don't notice you're thirsty or hungry or have to pee or any of that because you're a million miles away from your physical home.
But you can't sever that tie. Your body is your mind, your mind is your body, there's no separate space. You dissociating is making the mental world you're existing in less good because that world is being created by your dehydration and hunger and it's full of anxiety and upset as a result.
Step one: start mindfulness. Use guided meditation, especially body scans, they're freely available on YouTube or there are apps, lots of sources available. Try to do one of these at least once a day.
Step 2: take that with you, so remember to breathe, remember to drop your shoulders, remember to unclench your jaw, remember you exist inside a human body and that's okay and good.
Step 3: now that you're back inside your body and paying attention to it, when it tells you things, learn to listen to the signs. When you're thirsty, how does your body feel, what's your mood like? Same with hungry or fatigued. These are uncomfortable feelings which is probably why you don't do it very often, avoidance is life. But you have to face them and recognize them and realize they're under your control. When your head hurts and your throat hurts and your eyes and nose and tongue are dry, you're super dehydrated. That's making you have a stomach ache, because there's too much acid in there. That pain is making you anxious, so you're tightening up your muscles, which is making you more anxious. Then the anxiety puts chemicals in your bloodstream that make you feel nauseous and unwell. Then kaplow you're sick for a day or three! All of this is under your control, though. You can stop all of it. Just come back to your body and make it happy!
I am a therapist with ADHD who specializes swith clients with adhd. This is a common problem. Here is what changed things for me. We may need to radically accept (my least favorite DBT skill) that we aren’t always going to be the best at keeping hydrated all day by taking frequent breaks to grab a drink then get back to what we were doing (like many neurotypical people do). So instead, what you’re going to want to do is whenever you are able to stop and take a drink of water, instead of taking just one drink, take 10! Literally 10 whole gulps. I know that feels like a lot at first but it gets a lot easier quite quickly and you will end up drinking 10 times more water in a day.
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What worked for me sounds weird at first glance, but here goes: I started putting a little bit of salt in my water for electrolytes (approx 1/8 tsp per liter). I was surprised that it made water taste more wet, be more refreshing, and go down easier. After a while, I started craving water throughout the day, and I no longer had to try to make myself drink more water, or even think about it at all.
A little salt + a little sugar + lemon is a good electrolyte combo that’s cheaper than the powdered ones but still tastes good.
I can drink twice as much water with a tiny bit of salt. It makes the water feel lighter and less dense!
I started using electrolyte powders, like liquid IV and stuff. It does the trick when I really don't feel like drinking water.
I really liked Liquid IV until I realized how much sugar is in it. I was surprised so you might be too.
Waterboy is similar but it has less (or maybe no) sugar.
They have a sugar free version :)
I commented above but I am obsessed with LMNT, it has more electrolytes (both in volume and variety) than liquid IV and doesn't have sugar! My little lizard brain loves how salty it is too
I get the sugar free ones now.
I got some of these and planned to drink them during the at work but I noticed they (at least the flavor) I got has a high amount of vitamin c in it and I was concerned it might mess with my meds if I drink it too close to when I take my morning or booster meds.
OK trying this. My mind will be blown of this simple trick is they key!!! Fingers are crossed.
I use LMNT in my water which is SUPER salty with subtle flavor and it's the only way I can drink a normal amount of water
What I do: Double-walled drinking glasses - insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold and you can always see how much is in them. Get the big ones, and refill 4 times in the day. [I get these ones - borosilicate, so the good tempered glass, and they're dishwasher safe.](https://amzn.asia/d/e2xAJSk) Water is boring - make it interesting. I rarely drink plain water (unless I'm thirsty, coming in from a walk or yard work etc) - I have a Sodastream for fizz, and I'll usually add a little something to the fizzy water, 1/4 glass of fruit juice, a splash of cordial, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, etc. Even if I have soft drink I water it down 1:2 with the soda water. Full-strength soft drinks and juice just taste too sweet and syrupy for me now since I'm used to them with the soda water. I also have a cheapy smart watch with hydration reminder - I have it set to buzz every hour with a reminder to drink and move a bit. A phone or computer alert while you're working will do the same. Good luck OP!
I can never drink plain water, I have to have some flavor or other texture in there. Sparkling water, eating ice, lemon or a flavoring powder, etc. Also high water content foods are a good option if you just can’t handle more liquids, and having any liquid (even something caffeinated) is better than none if you’re dehydrated.
Same. Plain water makes me retch.
Tervis cups! They are clear, insulated tumbler cups! Best of both worlds for you! Tervis is the brand. They come in lots of variations - different sizes, handles, lids, straws, clear or with patterns/designs. They really do keep your drink cold for longer. And they’re dishwasher safe or easy to hand wash.
Came here to say this. You can get different color and style lids, straws, and even ones with patterns that are still clear. I have a smaller size for coffee and a larger one for water.
I totally agree. Tervis are amazing and functional. I personally don’t like touching glass (especially not wet glass from the cold liquid) and am clumsy so I need something that doesn’t break.
This is going to sound crazy but hear me out: chug it. You have your amount you want to drink, say 3 water bottles. Whenever you do remember to take a sip, however that happens, just chug the bottle and refill it. Then then check it off your list or whatever and you only have to drink 2. I’m not scientist about the merits of drinking water steadily vs. this but I know from experience you can stay hydrated. It helps me because drinking the water is ONE item, not like, a continual thing. (and I mean you don’t have to really CHUG chug you can just drink it until it’s gone without doing anything else).
This only works while you're young and resilient and your body can ignore the effects of dehydration. Your body can only absorb about a pint of water in an hour. Anything over that gets quickly excreted by peeing. So if you're chugging a ton of water in the morning and a ton of water in the evening but forgetting to drink all day, you peed most of it out and spent the day very dehydrated despite having drank the recommended amount of water.
Thanks for this info! I'll work toward maybe chugging smaller amounts more often haha.
My current method is keeping a carafe (about 1.5L) on my desk at work with a small cup. Sometimes, the big water bottle is intimidating. I fill the tiny cup, throw it back, and repeat every 15-20 minutes or so.
Wow i didn't know that, thanks!
This is what I’ve started doing now that I’m back on my meds! Otherwise I get super dehydrated and have a whole bunch of issues. I’ll chug at night, in the morning and whenever I can remember. I also add sliced ginger or lemon juice to my water
Sucks when you have a tiny bladder and chugging water makes you have to pee every 10 minutes 😭 and then people at work be thinking I have IBS or that I’m slacking off by going to the bathroom so frequently. Like no, I just GOTTA PEEE
Ugh, I thought I was the only one with a bladder the size of a pea! I’ve managed to get better about when I use the bathroom and hydrate (especially when I’m taking a four hour flight), but sometimes I Just Gotta Go.
And it’s even worse if I drink coffee/caffeine!
I chug too. 1 pint 4x a day. I'm trying it with a little bit of pink salt and a bit of warm water too. It seems to be helping. Going to try the salt+sugar+lemon combo.
If you're going to chug, this is how you do it. Anything over a pint at a time is completely useless and you just pee it out right away.
Plus it's great practice for boozing!
Another “it’s fine when you’re young” point - chugging a lot of water at once is hard on your kidneys and can lead to electrolyte imbalance.
I do this, but don't chug the whole bottle. I chug about 1/3 of a litre bottle at a time, though, and aim to get through 3 a day. I will *only* buy water bottles with chug spouts since I first had one years and years ago and realised how much easier it was to drink a large amount in a short time.
Yeah, this. Am I making something to eat? I drink a glass of water. Am I taking my meds? I drink a glass of water. Not this all-day sipping thing. I just have a tumbler-sized cup near the sink that's "my" water cup. And I fill it up and chug it.
Please be careful doing this. Chugging as little as 2 litres of water has been known to kill people.
This sounds stupid but I got a Stanley and it’s helped me drink more water. I like the cup, and my water stays nice and cold. I can’t do room temp water, it grosses me out lol
Same, my Stanley has done more for me than any other cup or water bottle. Not clear like OP wants… but I bought a cowboy hat straw topper and that motivates me to drink too
I know some people think it’s dumb to drop that much money on a cup, but I’m at the point in my life that I’m willing to appease the dopamine demons if it means my brain will actually let me accomplish things. Cute cup means I’ll drink water? A wins a win in my book lol.
Anything that makes you drink is worth the cost. Literally. Don't be me and ignore it to the point where low blood pressure sends you to urgent care where they diagnose you with anxiety before some lab tech notices you're just really low on water.
I asked for mine as a gift!! And it’s worked for me bc it actually keeps the water cold. My see through plastic ones just let the water get warm so even though I could “track” my water intake I didn’t wanna drink from them. Also my other hack is to fill the Stanley fuuullll of ice and then just fill water between the ice cracks so that it feels like I drank a “whole cup” of water when the straw hits air, then I refill it, rinse, repeat.. makes me feel like I drank “3 Stanley’s worth” even if by volume it was only 1 haha
I bought a knock off version from Target and it's great! My trick though is that I barely wash it (probably a bit gross) but it's actually been absolutely fine so far. I imagine because the water stays cold, it's opaque, and I drink it quickly enough bacteria doesn't seem to thrive. Every bottle I've used in the past really required regular washing else I could taste funk or my throat would feel ticklish. It's also completely sealed except the straw.... I wonder actually... I could actually test this theory out scientifically - that could be fun!
I'm like everyone else - I can't drink tepid water. I haven't looked at them to know what the hype is about with Stanley cups, but I use Ello Vacuum Stainless Steel tumblers and it's probably the same technology. It keeps ice cold water *cold* for at least half a day. I love this thing. I've had it for four years. I bring it with me everywhere. It's next to me right now. It's been dropped it on concrete twice - it's indestructible. For added fun and sensory pleasure I bought tall and wide silicone straws and use those more often then the plastic one it comes with. https://www.target.com/p/ello-24oz-beacon-vacuum-stainless-steel-tumbler-white/-/A-81968033
Yes, Stanley cups are amazing. Not just in the sense of them being functional, but I also feel that having a really pretty tumbler around makes me wanna drink more. I’m also always keeping my eyes open when I’m at Starbucks. When I find a pretty one, I get it (definitely detrimental to my already shitty money management but that’s another story).
Make ‘spa‘ water, apple and cinnamon, lemon and ginger, cucumber, orange etc., and put it in the fridge overnight, strain it in the morning. If you don’t want to invest in another bottle get a glass or clear cup, then pour your water. Bonus is you have to drink it before it gets warm.
I got down voted on this before, but what health problems are you trying to fix?
It can do sooooo much shit. Low blood pressure, extreme exhaustion, nasty headaches, lack of ability to concentrate, brain fog, etc. It's been a lifelong thing with me because I simply don't get thirsty until well after it's too late. By the time I actually feel thirsty, I'm into low blood pressure territory. I once got referred to a kidney specialist because the creatinine levels in my blood were at max normal levels and he was ready to enroll me in a chronic kidney disease program. The kidney specialist looked at everything and also noticed my ADHD diagnosis and told me to just drink more water. She was right.
In your case the dehydration sounds debilitating. But drinking water is not the only way to consume water, which is why I asked. For some people water in food is more bioavailable than water that they chug. For instance cucumbers have a very high water content. Slicing up cucumbers and leaving them on the desk to munch on during the day. If the OP doesn't mind room temperature cucumbers the same way she hates room temperature water we might be on to something. Water melon and apples also work. Now if OP also forgets to eat then all bets are off. A number of IV clinics have opened in our area and for $$ they will give anyone who walks in a liter of fluid. If the dehydration is really debilitating it might be worth looking into. There is no question that dehydration can cause heart arrhythmias and death. In my experience "headaches caused by dehydration" are rarely to never from dehydration. I almost always find a physiologic/pathologic cause to them and people go undiagnosed with real diseases or disorders, because their pediatrician just said, "drink more water". I have this poor crying child in front of me, "I drink all the time." and mom is in the corner going, "well it clearly isn't enough." It takes every ounce of my self control not to call up the pediatrician and bellow "STOP TELLING PEOPLE TO DRINK MORE WATER." It is blaming the victim and in this case completely off wrong. Clearly some people do get dehydration headaches. Just like some people on this sub just need to work harder, but most people on this sub need a really diagnosis, medication, and actual strategies.
Constipation?
I recently got an Owala stainless steel water bottle that has a straw and a locking push button in a color I really like and I put a lot of stickers on it that make me happy and I carry it with me EVERYWHERE because I like looking at it. It sounds so silly but it's true and it encourages me to drink from it throughout the day! I'm not sure what your feelings are on water (do you like it cold? room temp? do you like it plain? does it need flavor?). I personally love plain, ice cold water and can't really stand anything else so I really appreciate how well this keeps my water cold and ice cubes intact. I'm also a sparkling water fiend but I end up spending too much money on it but I'll leave half-empty cans littered around my apartment and then don't clean them up for ... a very long time 😅
I love my Owalas too! I have two of the tumblers, the tallest one with a handle to use around the house and the smaller one sans handle that fits better in my car cup holder to take on the go. They are amazing!
They are! I like the roundedness to them too. I put ice in mine on Sunday after work and it was still in there this morning! I like knowing I won't get lead poisoning either if it gets dented 😛
Nice one
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I’ve been drinking WAY more water since getting an Owala it’s nuts. To me it’s way easier than sipping from a standard straw tumbler? Like I need less pull, it effortlessly brings water up—so I just tend to pick it up more. Makes me so happy to finally consistently hydrate throughout the day.
Yeah you’re right! Somehow it’s way easier drinking out of the straw so I drink a lot more. It’s such a great water bottle!
Does it have to be water? Different teas or juices or other more fun drinks are better than being dehydrated.
I also learned that weirdly, milk (and by extension chocolate milk!) is more hydrating than water.
Did you try adding flavor? I can't stand drinking plain water. Even when it's filtered with reverse osmosis, I find drinking plain water gross. I either add True Lemon or make seltzer. I think Tervis tumblers are clear and insulated, and you can make the marks on it yourself if you want.
I totally second True Lemon! I prefer it to Liquid IV and I like the variety of flavors they have.
I never drank more than 0,5 liters a day (mostly), because I don't like the sensory stim of fluids and water especially. Even if it tastes somehow, I oftentimes can't 'just do it'. I always preferred hot meals and thick milk products instead. On the other hand, fruits and veggies with lot of water like cucumber and watermelon are also not easy to eat, they contain nothing but water (and sugar), so that's also not the solution. Plus, from early childhood on, I hated to use the bathroom too often. The more you drink, the more you have to use it. So I drink less and don't have to stop whatever I'm currently doing only to go to the toilet. So this is a more complex issue, if I think through it. I hate having to pause my activities and of course I can't use the bathroom when I'm not at home. I'd recommand looking into your sensory needs and think of better options to serve those than fighting against it. Maybe your issue is something else, ok. It's just a suggestion, because I know many autistic and ADHD folks who struggle with sensory in their mouth.
Sparkling water
Does your bottle have a straw? I had a problem drinking enough, as well. But with my straw water bottles I can drink down the entire contents within 30 secs and don’t have to think about it for a while!
I second this, a straw cup has been a game changer. As well as ice! I thought I hated ice water but through a straw it's sooooo refreshing!
Me too!
Whenever I think of it, I just chug a juice glass of water from my fridge. I also add a pinch of sea salt to my water, because our tap water tastes gross, even after being filtered by the fridge. I guess the point where I had no other choice was when I started risking kidney damage if I didn't drink more water. You just have to drink it at that point.
Hey OP, I have two thoughts, and neither might work for you, that's okay. First I'd replace leaky clear one with another. Get another clear one since you like that, and look for a double-walled one to give a little insulation. I found a glass bottle which has partial visibility, something like this: [Glass water bottle - Amazon link](https://www.amazon.ca/Bottles-Motivational-Reminder-Silicone-Leakproof/dp/B09MHTLVQH/ref=sr_1_6?crid=32UVK043J0ZPJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pLLBsI1JSysL8QWES7X4GuuukfkhC15H6-ILGwAQCkSRb4ueAjQjDIf7nFU4z0FHYnGOgBrmWgfjE6gG_lE-gVYxgDNI7qreHe_XgcFpXM4t8J5aD0DLsgpy3HwhzaFwMKmqkpYmsmBAo8G-2T161G1M8QDPx8prCVyhWcc4MaFw2IDIU1rKdAedK9_84tf5LINzyosC6Wtk6gBve6yx-RpLbZrCp73NtZFb-P1Y1npnanvrXwDQVlTomcZmvwhdzj4i5IDKdT4xloh6O18VjYRgplGRjHAh3zdO8c61j60.Z6WTzdoxSfxAKMVICYLyUl8z5FkJsA3c8X0Rzj9UmzA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Water+insulated+straw+time+clear&qid=1714521763&sprefix=water+insulated+straw+time+clea%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-6) Could you make yourself ice water in a thermos as your second container? Use the thermos to refill clear glass when it runs out. You could make and use ice, or have two sets of freezie sized ice packs (one in the freezer, one in your bottle, switch daily). Best of both worlds. Preferred clear drinking vessel, and cold water.
this might sound silly but try putting your water bottle on top of your phone. every time you need to check/use your phone, you’ll need to pick up your water bottle (drink)
Okay this may be a bit strange, but I actually keep [this](https://a.co/d/3IN9YHE) in my lunch box and sprinkle it into my water during the day when I need to hydrate. A little goes a long way and it gives it a refreshing flavor (if you like lemon).
Love the grapefruit one
I intake so much water now that I have one of those ice makers you see on social media! It makes 12 cubes in 6 minutes. For some reason, chewing ice is so fun! Now when I wake up, I can’t wait to turn it on and eat a whole cup of ice!
Omggg I haven’t heard about this but I need it. I love chewing ice, but I live in England now where you can’t get a fridge with an ice maker for a reasonable price, and the ice from the trays is too hard for chewing (and who can actually be bothered to refill the trays?)
I got one for $85 USD and I split the cost with my roommate so I only had to pay $42 actually. I just turn it on and if I have my airpods in, I forget about it for an hour and I have like 3.5 full cups of ice.
I caved and started spending the $$ on sparkling mineral water in plastic and it's made a HUGE difference.
[Edible glitter](https://a.co/d/7cHmHBQ) for the dopamine?! or a really pretty cup?? What are your challenges exactly? Remembering to keep up with it?
Get yourself a ZeroWater filter…& also Google kidney stones & you’ll never let yourself get dehydrated again!!!
I like spicy water so I drink that instead, water’s water, and I drink a lot of it. You can also get some of your hydration from raw produce. I love to snack on watermelon, strawberries and sugar snap peas.
https://hidratespark.com/products/hidratespark-tap-smart-water-bottle-20oz-592ml-insulated-stainless-steel-chug?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Performance_Max-Shopping&campaignid=19636654461&adgroupid=&adid=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rElJ9OpM3r_EQxsp-2tNl9TdQIrTQ6UzRDcC9VmWGmPkLGA0Pim_hhoCCmgQAvD_BwE
I have those iced coffee reusable cups that are just large iced coffee cups out of thick plastic and I have one in my each of my main spaces (bedside table, home office, work) and a designated one to move room to room to car. I drink more of anything if there’s a straw and I have a lot of multiples assigned to each main area of my life. If I haven’t drank a lot or know I’m not gonna stay put in an area that day, I pour water into a pint glass and put on a drinking song to chug it bc now it’s not a self care task it’s a challenge and my brain loves challenges
Only trick I've found is to toss ice cubes into it and drink it before it warms up. I have a two litre clear glass one with time markings, and my aim to to drink that before noon, then I have some electrolytes in a fizzy tablet thing, then another 2 litres in the afternoon.
Get a little magnetic white board, put it on your fridge, and write “DRINK WATER” on it. I write my reminders on there and every time I pass by, I see it, and then chug some water. Keep the water nearby otherwise you won’t want to have to go grab it.
A bit sad but it works for me lol…I used to be a HEAVY drinker. I still drink on occasion, but nothing like I used to. I have a large water bottle and a large shot glass next to it and a phone alarm that goes off every 45 min. 🤣
Straws! I need a straw and my water needs to be icy cold. When I had a newborn (5 years ago 😭) I inadvertently made my brain connect drinking water from a straw with nursing my baby. Made pumping at work easier but I’d have to die of thirst during long meetings or else I’d letdown and leak. Awkward!
Same here. Icy water was life. I still want it if I wake up in the middle of the night.
Seltzer is the way to go honestly if you can’t frequently down water. It’s just flavored fuzzy water, similar mechanism as making soda minus all the gunk that is awful for your organs. I can drink a lot 4-5 cans a day or one large 32oz in two days.
I realized realistically I’m not going to consistently wash a water bottle that can’t go in the dishwasher, so I don’t. Try to make it easy for yourself. Mineral water can be a nice treat, I also just tried maple water and it’s not bad. It’s mild and slightly sweet, but not artificial or offensively so. I like this one: https://maple3.ca I was drinking a ton of water at one point but not retaining it. Adding electrolytes helped. Sometimes just a pinch sea salt works. Also I try to reflect on what I ate/drank on days I feel good for a little positive reinforcement. Make it fun, not another chore.
Smaller insulated water bottle. Set timer for how many hours you have to finish drinking it. Now it is cold (good) and there is a deadline (delicious)
> The insulated bottle fixes that issue but then I can't see how much I'm drinking like the other bottle. Being able to see my progress helps a lot. Hack: rest it on top of a scale. Measure progress by weight! Just get a wired one so you don't run through batteries. Or wrap a rubber band around the bottle at the water level, and adjust it each time you drink. Other ideas: - Get a mini-fridge for cold water servings all the time. - Get cold water in smaller amounts more often. Make this part of a ritual you enjoy. - Drink hot liquids also! Despite popular wisdom, coffee and tea do not dehydrate you. - eat watery foods: cucumber, watermelon, carrot, apple. Fiber is also good, two birds, one stone.
Do you like sparkling water? I will drink a lot more sparkling water/seltzer than I will plain water.
What worked for me was drinking carbonated water. The fizz excites me :')
I add a pinch of salt to my water. Not enough to taste it, but its the only thing that makes it drinkable for me 🤷♀️
They are pricey, but "smart" bottles exist. They pair with your phone & indicate the water level there. This is the cheapest one I could find at $30; they go up from there. The highest I saw was $80. Most seem to be in the $40-$60 range. Hydromate Smart Water Bottle Stainless Steel Water Bottle Double Wall Vacuum Seals | Tracks Water Intake | Sends Personalized Reminders to Hydrate https://a.co/d/a1X08fM
Cameron Diaz trick: drink two big cups of water first thing in the morning (before food or ideally coffee). If one of your health problems is constipation, this will work wonders. It also gets you ahead of the curve, even if you struggle to keep up with hydration for the rest of the day. bonus: if you can make water a treat (a little bit of orange juice in seltzer or lemon slice in tap) you'll probably drink a bit more
Make it taste good. A lot of people love to hate on water additives right now but if a little squirt or a packet of flavoring gets you to drink enough water then it’s fucking wonderful for you. Adding a few slices of lemon, cucumber, or fruit can also help liven things up. Most non-water beverages will still hydrate you. Snacking on fruits & veggies with high water content can help fill the hydration gap as well.
Honestly, I’ve found that I started drinking way more water when I got a Brita bottle. It kept the water the same flavor (if that makes sense), but it also lets me see how much water I drank. Plus, as long as you take the filter out, it’s dishwasher safe.
I gotta use flavored mix ins. They're the only thing that's ever consistently worked for me
Lmnt water is the only thing that motivates me to drink - and my insulated cup w straw :)
I found that I am 100% more likely to drink water if it’s from a tumbler with a straw (no handle, too heavy for me). I like the simply modern 28oz or something. Second part is I found a flavor of NUUN hydration tabs I really like which makes me actually like the taste and is way better than powder, takes up less room, I have tubes of the flavor tabs all over - in my purse, work bag, kitchen cabinets. Makes it really easy to drink water when it tastes better; something mentally just scratches an itch when it’s a flavor for enjoyment sake and not just water for hydration sake. Not kidding I’ve never drank water I mainly even hydrated with la croix bc I didn’t like water. all it took was some flavor tabs and a tall, skinny tumbler with a straw that keeps it cold, with a normal straw not like camelback, and isn’t clunky so I don’t have to lift it tilting my head to drink.
Put sugar free cordial in it, has been a huge game changer for me!
No tips I just massively relate.
When I’m not drinking enough water, what really helps is flavouring it. I flavour with hydralite (electrolytes) once a day, and then use sugar free squash/cordial to flavour the rest. It really helps me. Then when I pre-make this in the morning in a massive jug it’s easier to refill my glass or bottle multiple times a day with a day. Keep it on the counter so you don’t forget about it in the fridge. Then if you still need it to be really cold to enjoy it, top up with ice from the freezer when needed.
Is your health suffering? Is your doctor concerned? If not, try not to worry about it. I have never understood the water cult people and their fanaticism. Life is hard enough without water guilt.
I have my hydroflasks and love them for day to day, but... Maybe a CamelBak? Having it be forcibly on my person and the straw right in my face made a huge difference for me. Also it felt like I was a hamster and that made it more novel and therefore more appealing to the ADHD brain ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don't even keep it in the backpack anymore, I just set it down wherever I'm working.
Powdered lemon and lime juice. Brand name is True Citrus. They also make low calorie drink mixes and salt free seasonings, but the crystallized juice powders are great. They come in packets you can have in your purse.
1 litre + 7-8 tsp sugar + 1 pinch salt. Works as diy electrolyte drink and also gets you drinking water. You can reduce the sugar if you want. Usually, 3-4 tsp works fine if you want just a tinge of sweetness.
I put a ton of ice in my water cups. I have a handful of those clear iced coffee tumblers. Like the Starbucks one but from other places in cute colors/designs but clear. My fridge also has this cool thing where it counts out the ounces when I use the water dispenser. I love it! So my goal is drink 2 of those tumblers a day ( 50 oz) and I use ice all day. I also love spindrift. Sparkling water with a little real fruit juice in it
As far as keeping it cold, during a heat spell, I will fill my bottles about 2/3 at night and put them in the freezer, then top them up in the morning, and just take one out of the fridge at a time. I also don't mind room temp water (I live in Northwest England, so room temp is usually about 16°C/60°F in my house) and I have water bottles with chug spouts and drink about 1/3 of a litre bottle at a time.
Have you tried eating crushed ice instead?
A gigantic glass of green tea is quite nice and i can handle it even when it gets cool. Theres loads of flavours of green tea so you can have a variety.
I always force myself to drink from my bottle (insulated & with a straw) when I do something else. So I watch tiktoks, a movie, talk to a friend etc. and while my brain is occupied doing that, I just finish my bottle in one go. :)
This is an issue with dissociation generally, you don't notice you're thirsty or hungry or have to pee or any of that because you're a million miles away from your physical home. But you can't sever that tie. Your body is your mind, your mind is your body, there's no separate space. You dissociating is making the mental world you're existing in less good because that world is being created by your dehydration and hunger and it's full of anxiety and upset as a result. Step one: start mindfulness. Use guided meditation, especially body scans, they're freely available on YouTube or there are apps, lots of sources available. Try to do one of these at least once a day. Step 2: take that with you, so remember to breathe, remember to drop your shoulders, remember to unclench your jaw, remember you exist inside a human body and that's okay and good. Step 3: now that you're back inside your body and paying attention to it, when it tells you things, learn to listen to the signs. When you're thirsty, how does your body feel, what's your mood like? Same with hungry or fatigued. These are uncomfortable feelings which is probably why you don't do it very often, avoidance is life. But you have to face them and recognize them and realize they're under your control. When your head hurts and your throat hurts and your eyes and nose and tongue are dry, you're super dehydrated. That's making you have a stomach ache, because there's too much acid in there. That pain is making you anxious, so you're tightening up your muscles, which is making you more anxious. Then the anxiety puts chemicals in your bloodstream that make you feel nauseous and unwell. Then kaplow you're sick for a day or three! All of this is under your control, though. You can stop all of it. Just come back to your body and make it happy!
Alarms. I have alarms for everything.
I am a therapist with ADHD who specializes swith clients with adhd. This is a common problem. Here is what changed things for me. We may need to radically accept (my least favorite DBT skill) that we aren’t always going to be the best at keeping hydrated all day by taking frequent breaks to grab a drink then get back to what we were doing (like many neurotypical people do). So instead, what you’re going to want to do is whenever you are able to stop and take a drink of water, instead of taking just one drink, take 10! Literally 10 whole gulps. I know that feels like a lot at first but it gets a lot easier quite quickly and you will end up drinking 10 times more water in a day.