Taking in enough fluids seems simple, right? Wrong.

With so many hydration myths out there, it is hard to distinguish between facts and fiction.

Luckily, all you have to do is avoid these common mistakes and debunked myths, and you will develop healthier hydration habits in no time.

Here are the 5 most common hydration mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Drinking eight glasses of water per day

This might come as a surprise, but the old saying “you should drink eight glasses of water a day” is misleading. Instead of being a flexible recommendation, most people believe that eight glasses are the recommended standard.

What people often forget, different factors, like age, activity level, and gender, affect how much water each person needs to drink. People who are sedentary and live in cooler climates may not need to drink as much as those who are very active or live in warmer climates.

2. Neglecting fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables not only provide a variety of essential nutrients but also make excellent hydrating snacks. Many fruits are good sources of simple carbohydrates that – when consumed in the right quantities – can aid your body in absorbing liquids for later use.

If you are struggling to drink enough water throughout the day, why not add more fruits and vegetables to your diet?

3. Avoiding salty snacks

While eating a high-sodium diet can be harmful, skipping salt altogether might not be the best course of action. Sodium is an important electrolyte and works well with chloride and potassium to transport water to your body’s cells. In other words, a diet that is too low in sodium can make you more prone to becoming dehydrated.

If your doctor has not advised you to cut back on salt, pretzels or an electrolyte-rich hydration drink is a good option after a workout.

4. Only drink water when you’re thirsty

Many people mistake thirst for the first sign of dehydration, but you can become dehydrated before you even notice. Side effects like headaches, fatigue, and cramping, may already be present by the time you feel thirsty. So don’t wait!

5. Relying heavily on sports drinks

Sports drinks are frequently hailed as one of the best ways to stay hydrated, particularly for athletes, but many of them fall short in terms of electrolyte content, leaving you unsatisfied during or after exercise. Some of them regularly include a lot of sugar, which can exasperate dehydration.

The bottom line

Start building healthier hydration habits with the help of an Oasis Water dispenser. Once you run out of water, you can easily find a local refill or exchange location. There’s no wrong way to hydrate with Oasis Water!

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