Recent news revealed that millions of British people are too busy to be healthy. It could be a busy work schedule, family life or both that are preventing you from prioritising your well-being.

Whatever the reason for your hectic lifestyle, staying hydrated can give you the health kick you need to unlock numerous benefits for your mind and body.

Hitting those daily drinking water targets has been proven to boost energy levels, cure skin problems, improve brain function, clear toxins, and aid weight loss. The key to staying hydrated is to drink water wherever you are, whether that’s at home, in the office, or on your travels. Read on to discover our golden rules for staying hydrated on the go.

Start the day the right way

Beginning the day with hydration on the agenda is recommended. Drinking a full glass of water as soon as you wake up is a great start and has many advantages.

That very first glass of water will kick-start your metabolism, restore the water you’ve lost while sleeping, and flush out your system ready for the day ahead. Those drinking a full glass of water as soon as they awaken also tend to eat smaller proportions and snack less.

Get the right accessories

The reusable water bottle is the ultimate on the go accessory. Whether your bottle of choice is made of plastic or glass, having it with you at all times is a great reminder to drink more water.

Fill up with your favourite drink – we recommend filtered water, which is super tasty, refreshing, and healthy – and top up your bottle throughout the day.

Establishing a habit for day-long hydration is the key to reaching that coveted eight glasses of water per day. Adding flavour to the mix, courtesy of your favourite fruit, herb, or vegetable can also make drinking filtered water even more interesting.

Celebrate the little milestones

The eight glasses per day rule is a simple way to set a target for drinking water. If you’re aiming for eight glasses or more, tracking your intake and celebrating those little wins will keep you motivated to drink more, especially when you’re out and about.

Set yourself realistic goals for water drinking. For some drinking one cup per hour works, while others find it easier to drink a glass with each meal and snack, or after they go to the bathroom.

Make hydration apart of your work life

In the UK, people spend 35% of their total waking hours at work, which makes prioritising hydration in the workplace particularly important. Staying hydrated at work has a huge impact on just how productive you are. This means you’ll not only feel better for drinking more water, it’ll show in your work too.

In addition to having water at your desk and taking regular hydration breaks, your snack selection could make all the difference to just how hydrated you are as HealthyYOUVending explains:

“Eating smaller meals of hydrating fruits and vegetables can help you stay hydrated and energized. In fact, 20 percent of daily water intake comes from the foods we eat.

High-water foods such as watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, berries and leafy greens are nutritional powerhouses with a hydrating impact. Pro tip: Healthy snacks like nuts can boost sodium and potassium loss that can be a side effect of dehydration.”

It’s important to stay hydrated all year round, not just in summer. Read our top tips for drinking water in winter for further advice.