While the desire for a long and healthy life is universal, not everyone is prepared to make the necessary lifestyle changes.
The most effective ways to enhance your overall health include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, ensuring adequate sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.
Additionally, managing stress, keeping your mind active, socialising and avoiding alcohol, smoking and harmful substances can significantly improve your wellbeing. Nutritionists suggest an easy “health hack” to keep your mind and body in top shape throughout your life – and it’s a simple habit to monitor.
According to the National Academy of Medicine, men should aim to drink about 13 cups and women nine cups of water daily to boost their health, with one cup equating to eight ounces. The statement reads: “Higher amounts may be needed for those who are physically active or exposed to very warm climates. Lower amounts may be needed for those with smaller body sizes.”
| Age | Cups of water |
| 1-3 years | 4 |
| 4-8 years | 5 |
| 9-13 years | 7-8 |
| 14-19 years | 8-11 |
| Men, 19 and older | 13 |
| Women, 19 and older | 9 |
| Pregnant women | 10 |
| Breastfeeding women | 13 |
The statement further adds: “Water is an essential nutrient at every age, so optimal hydration is a key component for good health. Water accounts for about 60% of an adult’s body weight. We drink fluids when we feel thirst, the major signal alerting us when our body runs low on water.”
We often consume drinks with our meals to aid digestion, but sometimes our drinking habits are influenced by how much we think we should be drinking, rather than what we actually need. The well-known advice of aiming for “eight glasses a day” might not suit everyone.
A mere two per cent water deficit in the human body can lead to symptoms of dehydration such as fatigue, confusion, short-term memory loss and mood swings. Moreover, dehydration can heighten the risk of various health issues, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, gallstones and constipation.
A Reddit user recently sparked a discussion about water consumption, questioning: “A lot of us millennials have grown up with the idea that the more water the better. These behaviours have been criticised by both older and younger generations l, so I’m curious – what do you consider the appropriate amount of water to drink every day? Minimums and maximums.”
In the thread, one person advised: “However much it takes for your pee to be like, a very light yellow but not 100% clear.” Another shared their experience, writing: “I drink way more when working my desk job. Enough to use the bathroom after every meeting. Any meeting that goes beyond one hour and I’m squirming.”
Meanwhile, a third commenter recommended: “Start your day with two glasses of water and whenever you go to the bathroom take one more glass. Keep it simple – no need to maths your way out.”
How much should I drink?
The Eatwell Guide suggests that people should aim to consume six to eight glasses of fluid daily. Dehydration symptoms can include thirst, dark yellow and strong-smelling urine, infrequent urination, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, dry mouth, lips and eyes or sunken eyes.
If you’re experiencing severe dehydration symptoms, such as confusion or disorientation, it’s advised to seek an urgent GP appointment or assistance from NHS via 111.