Drink Water to Boost Energy, Focus, and Productivity: Here’s How

Photo by Jake Charles

Yup, it's that simple... not really. It turns out drinking that recommended 8 glasses of water a day is a lot and you have to make a concerted effort to achieve that goal.

But wow, it really makes a difference to your productivity.

To caveat my post, I am not a medical professional, however, I have personally seen the benefits of drinking water. I have also read lots of literature on the topic, covering everything from targeting 8 glasses (12 oz cups) to drinking 1/2 your body weight in water (measured by oz). I have also read about drinking too much water pulls the electrolytes out of your body (which need to be replaced- remember all of those commercials from the company that sells those flavored electrolyte replacement drinks) and certain types of water is better for you than others (that is way too advanced for me at this point).

I was also really disappointed to learn that drinking other liquids doesn't count, especially if those liquids are dehydrating such as liquor, coffee, and tea. I am a big tea drinker consuming about 3 glasses a day only to learn that the way you are supposed to calculate the number of glasses, drinking tea (and other dehydrating liquids) actually counts against your total (by a negative 1 or 2 depending on the studies and reports I have read). That means for me, using the 8-glass target minus 3 cups of tea, that means I now need to drink 11 glasses of water a day to get to my 8-glass target.

You may be thinking I am throwing a wet blanket (pun intended) onto this post, but this information is good to know and worth doing your own research.

Now for the benefits (again, I am not a medical professional), drinking water hydrates your body (mind and muscles and everything else), sending oxygen to where it is needed. I have family members (dad if you are reading), who drinks 3 cups of coffee and maybe 1-2 glasses of water a day. By the equation above, that puts the total into the negative and starving his body of key resources.

For me, here is my approach (and I am better in the work week than the weekend). I drink a glass of water when I get up, 1 after my walk, 1 after a 15-minute calisthenic type exercise, 1 while making my tea, maybe a 1/2 during the 4 hours of work in the morning, 1 at lunch, maybe the other 1/2 during the afternoon, 2 at dinner and 1 while watching TV. That puts me at 9 minus the 3 cups of tea so a total of 6. I can tell you it feels like I am drinking a lot more than 9 cups. I have also started putting some lemon in my water at times during the day which I enjoy. Recently, I also started adding some Himalayan salt to my water to help with the electrolyte draw from the water dilution.

Since I started this process and routine, I found I feel better, have clarity at work, and am more productive.

Try it and see how it affects you!

Cover photo by Joseph Greve