Drink More Water in Winter: Stay Hydrated & Boost Energy

Drinking more water is a tale as old as time, but there’s a reason just about every expert on the planet recommends it. Our bodies are made of about 55 to 60 percent water, and they need to stay hydrated to operate at their highest level. You may think of drinking water as a summer habit, but it’s just as important to drink more water in winter.

Cold, dry air and indoor heating can easily dehydrate your body without you even noticing. Staying hydrated supports everything from temperature regulation and joint comfort to organ function, brain clarity, and glowing skin. Think of water as one of the simplest ways to keep your body running smoothly and your energy steady through the season.

By being intentional about hydration, you can avoid the sluggishness, brain fog, and low energy that often creep in during winter months. Making the choice to drink more water in winter is a small habit that pays off in big ways.

Here are thirteen ways to drink more water in winter:

One – Drink A Big Glass Of Water First Thing After Waking Up

If you sleep for eight hours, that’s eight hours without a single sip of water. Your body has been running on empty, and that first glass in the morning is your chance to replenish and reset. Drinking a big glass of water first thing not only jumpstarts hydration for the day, it can also give you a gentle energy boost, helping shake off any morning grogginess.

In winter, when the air is dry and your indoor heating is working overtime, this first glass is even more crucial. Starting your day with water is one of the simplest ways to drink more water in winter and keep your body performing at its best.

Tip: Make it part of your morning ritual. Place a glass or bottle by your bed, or keep a warm mug of water ready if cold water isn’t appealing in chilly mornings. It’s a small tweak with a big impact.

Two – Finish A Full Glass Of Water With Each Meal

Sitting down to enjoy a meal is the perfect opportunity to boost your hydration. Finishing a full glass of water with each meal helps your stomach break down food, aids digestion, and can even reduce bloating or digestive discomfort. Plus, sipping water between bites can naturally help prevent overeating.

In winter, when the urge to cozy up with heavier meals is strong, this simple habit ensures you stay hydrated and balanced. Incorporating a glass of water with every meal is an easy and consistent way to drink more water in winter without thinking twice.

Tip: Make it enjoyable. Keep a favorite cup or water bottle at the table. A small, consistent ritual can turn this into a habit that sticks all season long.

Three – Create Routines That Involve Drinking Water In The Winter

One of the easiest ways to drink more water in winter is to make it part of your daily routine. Habit stacking—linking a glass of water to an existing habit—takes the guesswork out of hydration. For example, drink a glass right after brushing your teeth, after your morning shower, or while waiting for your coffee to brew.

The key is consistency. When water becomes a natural part of your day, you don’t have to remember it—it just happens. This is especially helpful in winter, when shorter days and busy schedules can make hydration feel like something extra instead of essential.

Tip: Choose small, achievable triggers. Even two or three routine glasses a day make a meaningful difference. Routines like this turn staying hydrated into a winter habit you actually enjoy.

Four – Hydrate With Every Coffee or Cocktail

Winter is full of coffee dates, hot chocolate moments, and holiday parties—and many of those festive drinks can quietly dehydrate you. Coffee, tea, and especially holiday cocktails all count toward your fluid intake, but they don’t replace water. One simple rule: for every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage, drink a full glass of water alongside it.

This is especially handy during the holiday season. Whether you’re sipping eggnog at a family gathering or enjoying a warm cocktail with friends, balancing it with water keeps your energy steady, your digestion happy, and your body feeling good. This simple habit is a winter-friendly way to stay hydrated and enjoy seasonal treats without paying the price in dehydration.

Tip: Make it fun. Keep a pretty glass or festive mug nearby at parties. It’s a small, mindful action that supports your health while still letting you enjoy the season.

Five – Drink More Water in Winter with Flavor

Sometimes plain water just doesn’t call your name, especially in the colder months. Adding a hint of flavor can make hydration feel cozy and enjoyable while helping you drink more water in winter consistently.

Try fresh fruit like berries or citrus slices, a splash of juice, or even sliced vegetables such as cucumber. Fresh herbs like rosemary or mint can give your water a wintery, festive twist. For example, a few raspberries and mint leaves make a lightly sweet, refreshing drink, while cucumber slices add a crisp, clean flavor. All of these options keep your water interesting without adding sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Tip: Warm water with lemon or a cinnamon stick can feel soothing on chilly mornings, making it easier to sip throughout the day. Flavored water turns hydration into a small winter ritual you look forward to.

Six – Drink When You’re Thirsty.

It may seem obvious, but one of the simplest ways to drink more water in winter is to pay attention to your body’s signals. Thirst is your body’s natural reminder that it needs fluids. Instead of reaching for soda, energy drinks, or other sugary beverages, respond with water.

In winter, it’s easy to ignore thirst because you’re not sweating and the cold air can mask dehydration. Drinking when you feel thirsty ensures your body stays balanced, your energy stays steady, and your brain stays sharp.

Tip: Keep a water bottle nearby at your desk, on the couch, or in your kitchen. Having water within easy reach makes it more likely you’ll respond to your body’s signals. Listening to thirst cues is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay hydrated all season long.

Seven – Replace Other Drinks with Water

One of the simplest ways to drink more water in winter is to swap out other beverages for water whenever you can. Soda, sugary drinks, and even some juices can sneak in extra calories and leave you feeling sluggish. Replacing just a few of these drinks each day with water supports your hydration, boosts energy, and helps your body run at its best.

Winter is full of cozy drinks—hot chocolate, lattes, and cider—but alternating them with water keeps your body balanced. You can still enjoy your favorite treats while making sure your hydration stays on track.

Tip: Start small. Replace one sugary or caffeinated beverage a day with water and gradually increase. These small swaps make a big difference in your ability to drink more water in winter without feeling deprived.

Eight – Keep Water Visible

A simple trick to help you drink more water in winter is to keep it in plain sight. When water is visible, it serves as a constant reminder to sip throughout the day. Keep a glass on your desk, a bottle in the living room, or a pitcher within easy reach in your kitchen.

For example, I always have a glass of water on my desk and a Brita pitcher downstairs. This way, I never have to make excuses or forget to refill. When water is right in front of you, it is much easier to make hydration a natural part of your day.

Tip: Choose a favorite cup or bottle to make the habit feel enjoyable. Visible water encourages consistent sipping and helps you drink more water in winter without even thinking about it.

Nine – Drink More Water in Winter by Making it Hot

I usually love cold or room-temperature water year-round, but when winter hits, nothing beats a steaming cup. There is something about wrapping your hands around a warm mug while the snow or frost is outside that just makes hydration feel cozy. JB, for example, starts his day with hot water every morning. It is his little winter ritual that wakes up his system and keeps him feeling centered and energized.

Sipping warm water throughout the day is an easy, comforting way to drink more water in winter without feeling like it is a chore. Warm water can also help your digestive system wake up, warm you from the inside out, and make those early, dark mornings a little more bearable. Add a slice of lemon, a cinnamon stick, or some fresh herbs like rosemary to make it feel extra special. You are not just drinking water, you are turning hydration into a ritual you actually look forward to.

Tip: Keep a favorite mug or thermos within reach at your desk, next to your bed, or by your cozy reading chair. A cup of warm water in winter is hydration that feels like a hug for your body and your soul.

Ten – Add Electrolytes to Your Water

Sometimes plain water is not enough, especially in winter. Your body needs minerals in addition to water to stay properly hydrated. Adding electrolytes is a simple way to drink more water in winter and keep your system balanced, especially during cold and flu season. Proper hydration with electrolytes supports your immune system, helps prevent fatigue, and keeps your energy steady when sickness is circulating around.

You can make your own by adding a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon, or use premade electrolyte mixes like LMNT, Hydrate, or Liquid IV. These help your body absorb water more efficiently and keep you feeling good even on chilly days or when the heating is drying out the air.

Tip: Keep an electrolyte mix in your pantry for days when you feel run down or are sipping hot water all morning. Adding electrolytes is a small winter habit that helps you stay hydrated, healthy, and ready to tackle the season.

Eleven – Set Reminders to Help You Drink More Water in Winter

Even the most motivated among us can get caught up in work, cozy winter routines, or holiday chaos and forget to drink water. Setting reminders is a simple way to drink more water in winter consistently. Your phone, planner, or even sticky notes around your home can nudge you to take a few sips throughout the day.

Think of reminders as little acts of self-care. Each alert is a tiny check-in with your body that says, “Hey, I care about your energy, your focus, and your health.” Over time, these reminders help turn hydration into a habit you hardly have to think about, even during busy mornings or snowy afternoons.

Tip: Make it fun. Use cute alerts, favorite chimes, or even motivational notes on your water bottle. Reminders are your gentle winter hydration cheerleaders helping you stay energized and healthy.

Twelve – Gulp it Down

Sipping slowly is fine, but sometimes you need a little extra nudge to really drink more water in winter. Taking five to ten gulps each time you reach for water can help you consume more without even thinking about it. It is a simple trick to make sure you are staying fully hydrated throughout the day, especially when indoor heating and cold air are silently drying you out.

Think of it as a mini energy boost each time you drink. Gulping your water can feel a little playful and satisfying, turning a simple hydration habit into something more intentional. Over the course of the day, those extra gulps add up to a big impact on your energy, focus, and overall winter wellness.

Tip: Pair each round of gulps with a small routine, like after brushing your teeth or before logging onto your computer. This small action helps you stay hydrated in winter while keeping your day fun and mindful.

Thirteen – Track It

Whether you prefer jotting notes in a planner, using an app, or keeping a simple tally on paper, tracking your water intake is a powerful way to drink more water in winter consistently. Seeing how much you’ve consumed each day helps you stay accountable and notice patterns, like which parts of your day leave you dehydrated or when you need a little extra boost.

Tracking can also turn hydration into a playful challenge. Maybe you aim for eight glasses, or notice that you feel more energized when you hit your target. Over time, it becomes less about monitoring and more about celebrating the small, consistent habit that keeps you feeling your best during the colder months.

Tip: Pick a method that feels easy and fun. Tracking your water intake is a simple winter habit that supports energy, focus, and overall wellness.

How to Drink More Water in Winter and Stay Energized All Season

No matter how you make it happen, choosing to drink more water in winter will go a long way toward helping you power through your goals. Hydration supports brain clarity, steady energy, and overall wellbeing, making it easier to focus, think clearly, and feel good even when the days are short and the air is dry. Your body depends on water to regulate temperature, keep joints comfortable, support organ function, and even keep your skin glowing, so staying intentional about hydration in winter is a gift to yourself.

Even small, consistent habits make a meaningful difference. Whether it is starting your morning with a big glass of water, sipping warm water while wrapped in a cozy blanket, finishing a glass with each meal, adding a splash of fruit or herbs for flavor, or tracking your intake, each choice adds up. These little actions help you maintain steady energy, support your immune system during cold and flu season, and make winter feel more manageable and comfortable. Holiday gatherings, snow days, and chilly mornings become opportunities to care for your body instead of excuses to skip hydration.

Think of water as your simple, reliable ally through the colder months. It helps you feel more present, more energized, and more comfortable in your own body. When you make hydration a priority, even the toughest winter mornings feel a little easier, and the quieter moments of the season become opportunities to nurture yourself. JB’s morning hot water ritual or a playful flavored cup of water at your desk shows how small personal touches can turn hydration into something you actually look forward to. Drinking more water in winter is a small habit with big results for your body, mind, and overall wellbeing, keeping you energized, healthy, and ready to enjoy the season.