Drink More Water

Hydration is a key element to maintaining a healthy immune system. Drinking water is essential for your body to function normally as it prevents dehydration, flushes waste from our bodies, moves nutrients though our cells, and keeps our joints lubricated. Not only does water keep our bodies running smoothly; it also helps us look and feel better about our own bodies by controlling our weight, increasing our energy levels, and moisturizing our skin. Water is a vital component to a healthy diet, and is just one of the few steps that can lead us to a healthier and better lifestyle.

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Steps to Drinking More Water

• Determine how much water you need. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses (1 glass is approximately 8 ounces) a day, but it actually depends on a person’s weight, activity level and climate. A simple way to determine your intake is to drink a minimum of half your body weight in ounces of water. Or use the Hydration Calculator.

• Measure your daily intake of water. Make sure you are drinking the recommended quantity of water by keep a schedule of how many glasses a day you consume for a few days. If it is less than recommended quantity, then use the tips below to assist you in drinking more water.

Tips on Drinking More Water

• Set an alarm every hour as a reminder to drink a glass of water

• Add lemons or limes to your water to add flavor

• Eat water rich foods such as watermelon and tomatoes (both of these fruits are about 90% water weight)

• Keep water always available by having a bottle near you

• Purchase a bottle the size of your water goal and make sure you finish it by the end of the day

• Try making it a routine e.g. Drink 1 glass when you wake up and 1 glass right before you sleep

Learn More

• UCI CPEP Article: "Hydrated and Ready for Summer"
• UCI SSIHI Article: "Stay Well-Hydrated for a Strong Immune System"
• UCI Health Article: "Seniors, Stay Hydrated in the Heat"
• UCI Bottle Filling Station Video
• UCI Water Sustainability Program
• UC Healthy Beverage Initiative (HBI)

Resources Available at UCI

In an effort to encourage greater water consumption while reducing the use of plastic water bottles, UCI Facilities Management has installed 58 hydration stations throughout campus. Of the current locations, 27 are water bottle filling stations (with the majority having touchless dispensing) and 31 are gooseneck additions to water fountains. An additional 18 new water bottle filling stations and 18 gooseneck additions will be installed in 2020, bringing the campus total to over 90 filling stations. The funding is provided through the $100,000 Healthy Beverage Grant, which includes installation as well as improved signage to better educate about the benefits of drinking water.

• Bring your reusable UCI water bottle to campus and re-fill throughout the day with filtered, chilled water
• View the UCI Bottle Filling Station Map