Drinking More Water Every Day is Linked to Better Moods, Energy, and Overall Happiness

Need an instant mood booster? Before you reach for the chocolate and scroll through the puppy videos, pour yourself a glass of water. A recent poll suggests that proper hydration may be the key to better moods and increased happiness.

The survey was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Bosch home appliances. It assessed the hydration habits and happiness levels of 2,000 Americans. Respondents who claimed to drink enough water each day reported higher levels of optimism, energy, and success than those who did not reach their daily water allotment. 

In fact, 41 percent of participants who drank six or more glasses of water daily listed themselves as “very happy.” Only 12 percent of participants who drank less than one glass of water daily said the same. In addition, 40 percent of participants in the six-or-more category considered themselves optimistic people. Just 10 percent of volunteers in the one-or-less category could say the same. 

Hydration levels impacted the overall well-being of the respondents as well. Those who drank more than six glasses of water daily said that they woke up exhausted fewer times per week than those who drank far less water. 

Research backs up these findings.

Wondering how these findings hold up in the scientific community? Research confirms that hydration plays an important role in mood and energy levels because it affects cognitive performance.

Dehydration can quickly impair brain function, according to a paper published in the ACSMs Health and Fitness Journal. Originally, as explained in the paper, researchers believed that cognitive performance declined at a 2 percent deficit in body water. Newer studies, however, show that even mild dehydration (characterized by a 1 to 2 percent deficit) impairs brain function. 

Another study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that mild dehydration in young women worsens moods and makes it harder to concentrate. Plus, headache symptoms and fatigue may increase after just a 1.36 percent deficit in body water.

A review published in Nutrition Reviews confirmed that mild dehydration is enough to degrade mood, too. Analysts also found that older adults are more susceptible to dehydration. That’s because they often experience a lack of thirst sensation and changes in the body’s sodium-to-water balance. As a result, middle to older-age adults may have slower processing speeds, poorer attention, and poorer memory function when dehydrated. 

How To Drink More Water

So, how can you keep up your water intake on a daily basis? Try adding some ice! According to poll data from the OnePoll survey, ice may play a key factor in hydration. The study found that 56 percent of the participants said they would not drink water unless it was cold. 53 percent said that they would simply drink less water if they could not have ice. Nearly 60 percent of respondents admitted that they would drink more water if they had better access to chilled water. A little over half of the respondents agreed that they were obsessed with ice. Upon analysis of the data, poll analysts discovered that the survey participants consumed up to 116 glasses of ice per month, or 400 pounds of ice per year.

Why might ice play be such a driving force of hydration in Americans? The respondents reported that the sensory experience of ice increased their enjoyment of drinking water. The look of ice in a glass, the gentle clinking sounds, the smooth texture, and of course, the cold feeling were all listed as important sensory factors. 

If you’re looking for less expensive motivation than a new ice machine, consider purchasing a reusable water bottle. An insulated one will be particularly useful if you prefer to drink cold water. We love the Brita Stainless Steel Water Bottle (Buy from Amazon, $16.15) because it keeps water cold and has a built-in filter.

You might also try making a simple a daily goal. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. Or replace one cup of coffee or one soda can with one glass of water. Sip infused water or water with a splash of lemon juice if you’re craving a flavor boost.

If you need a steady reminder to drink another glass, set timers on your phone in the morning, afternoon, and evening. By implementing a few reasonable goals into your daily routine, you’ll unlock a refreshing boost of happiness.