Bet that blog post title got ya in to find out just what is this so-called vital elixir and how do I get my hands on some!?

But the truth of the matter is you can get your hands on it anytime you want – this magical vital elixir is WATER.

Good ole H2O in all it’s boring glory.

And you may be wondering why I’m writing about water … it’s just water.

Au contraire!

Water is life. And even if it seems obvious that water is crucial in our bodies, most of us still aren’t getting enough.

Just How Much?

Research is mixed on just how much water we need as humans. I’ve seen everything from 8 cups per day to as much as possible. But for the sake of this article and what I think is enough – I make it easy and go with half your bodyweight in ounces of water. 

So if you weigh 150lbs, try to get in 75oz of water each day.

I say this because our body is highly dependent on water – 60% of our bodies are made of water and it’s vital to countless bodily functions. Having the right amount of hydration is crucial to various processes and chemical balances in our bodies.

I’m talking skin, hair and nails looking gorgeous… plus the less vain things like helping to control body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. You know, the things that keep us going?!

Plus, an added bonus, is if you drink more than enough, you just pee it out! (sure, there are extreme circumstances, but odds are you won’t be drinking gallons and gallons of water anytime soon)

Seems Like A Lot

I know, I know. Drinking that much water DOES seem like a lot… at first. But when you slowly incorporate more water into your days, you’ll be able to tell the difference!

It was a game changer for me when I took Marie Forleo’s advice and started my day (yes, even before coffee) with a big glass of water. I’m talking 20oz of plain ole water to start my day. Every single morning.

And I can feel my body perk up! After going 8ish hours without water, my body is like a dry sponge just waiting for the vital elixir that is water. 

Don’t believe me? Check out this video of a plant being rehydrated. It’s how my body feels each morning … albeit a little faster. I can feel the difference in just five minutes.

Plus, it puts you well on your way to drinking half your bodyweight in ounces.

Does Flavored Water Count?

So here’s the long and the short of it – lots of things can help us get our water intake.

Fruits and veggies with high water content help, flavored waters, teas, and even sodas can help with hydration. Though as I’m sure you can guess, they’re not all created equal. 

Eating a big plate of fruits and veggies in a salad is way more beneficial than having a coke to hydrate. You get all the goodness that comes along with the salad – vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc – and none of those things with the soda. 

But if your options are not hydrating, or hydrating with something a little less ideal, I’d opt for the less ideal version because even with slight dehydration our bodies and brains can tell.

With as little as 1 percent decrease in our hydration status, our physical performance and our brain functions can start to show signs of dehydration, so why take the chance?

But It’s Boring

Yes – plain ole water can be boring when we know there’s all the other delicious beverage choices out there. But even if you swap out one soda for a glass of water, you’re doing your body a huge favor.

There are ways to spice it up – add fruit slices to your water, add some sugar free flavor packets,  try it warm or try it cold to see which makes it easier to drink.

And a trick from my own handbook – grab a designated water cup with a straw. It may seem silly, but I have a dedicated water cup that nothing goes in it but water. That way I don’t ever have to worry about a funky taste from whatever was in there before. 

Plus research has shown we drink more through straws – which is usually a no-no for alcohol related beverages – but when it’s just water, you’ve got the green light!