Drinking water and staying hydrated is a great way to stay healthy, physically and mentally. However, like many things, it’s usually down to the right timing. So, when is the best time to drink water during the day? Let's look at the best times to drink water – and point out some of the less than ideal times. 

When is the best time to drink water?

While drinking water at any time during the day is good for our bodies overall, there are certainly times when it’s better – or more sensible – to do it than others. Let’s look at some occasions you’ll benefit most from drinking water.

First thing in the morning

Getting up in the morning and downing a glass of water before you do anything else is a great way to start the day. You won't have had anything to drink for around 6-8 hours, so your body is naturally craving hydration. Making it a habit to have a long glass of water first thing will help to rehydrate you, flush out toxins, and kickstart your body into action. 

Before or during your meals

Drinking water before or during meals can be good for you – and your digestive system will thank you too. Water helps to break down food so your stomach can process it and dissolve vitamins and nutrients more easily which then get absorbed into your bloodstream. Drinking water during your meal can also help you avoid overeating as it makes you feel more full.

Before and during exercise

When you’re exercising, staying hydrated is essential. But it’s also a good idea to drink water before you start your session. If your body is dehydrated beforehand, you’ll find yourself working harder as your body temperature increases and your heart beats faster than it would if you were hydrated. It’s vital to keep drinking throughout your session too.

Mid-afternoon

Around mid-afternoon, you might start to get a little lethargic and tired and it might feel natural to get yourself a coffee. But caffeine can stay in your system long enough to disrupt your sleep later on. Better to grab a nice chilled glass of water from the office water cooler to wake yourself up, improve your concentration, and get through the rest of your day.

When is it best not to drink water?

Of course, everybody is different, but one of the main times it’s best not to drink water is right before you go to bed. Drinking large amounts of water at this time can disrupt your sleep due to frequent toilet trips during the night. This activity can lead to nocturia which can be problematic for anyone with health issues like kidney disease or diabetes.

Stay hydrated all day with Thirsty Work

While you shouldn’t ever deny yourself a drink of water if you feel you need it, try to limit your main daily water intake to 6-8 glasses during the day. This recommendation will keep you fit, healthy, and properly hydrated. It also means you’ll have had enough water to avoid thirst during the night and you can decrease or stop a few hours before you go to bed.

And if you want to make staying hydrated tastier and even easier, why not have a cost-effective bottled water cooler or mains-fed water cooler at home or at work to get you going? Talk to our customer service team about options to suit you, get a free quote, and to even start your 10-day free trial of any installed water cooler? Call 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today.