How much water should I drink every day?

Do you ever suddenly feel a little dizzy? Or get a headache that you can’t explain? These symptoms, along with others like low energy or muscle cramps, could be telling you to drink more water.

Often people overlook the symptoms of dehydration because they’re subtle and they can be similar to other conditions. Yet the solution to these issues may be as close as the kitchen faucet.

The 8 x 8 rule, the idea that people should drink 8, 8-ounce glasses of water a day, has become common thinking largely because it’s easy to remember. And it’s a fine guideline to follow. However, it’s also important to think about water intake in the context of other lifestyle habits.

For instance:

• How much do you exercise? If you sweat a lot during workouts, you’ll need to drink more water.

• Do you live in a hot climate? If it’s hot and humid out, be sure to increase your fluid intake.

• Speaking of fluids, coffee counts! Contrary to popular belief, there’s no evidence that moderate coffee drinking dehydrates the body.

• Do you often feel hungry? Sometimes we confuse the feeling of thirst for hunger. Especially if you’re looking to reduce your calories, try drinking water before giving in to food cravings.

With these variations in mind, a good online hydration calculator, like this one from CamelBak, can help determine your best daily hydration level. It asks about everything, from gender to outdoor conditions, to arrive at the right water intake for each individual.

Our bodies are made up of 60% water and when we’re hydrated, we help our bodies stay in top working condition. The Coway Aquamega water purifier helps support healthy and active lifestyles by providing an unlimited water supply, right at home. The system filters up to 99.9% of contaminants, including lead. Now that’s a reason to raise a glass.