# How to Stay Hydrated for Better Focus, Mood, and Mental Wellbeing

Written by  
Karin Andrea Stephan  
Entrepreneur, Senior Leader & Ecosystem Builder with a degrees in Music, Psychology, Digital Mgmt & Transformation. Co-founder of the Music Factory and Earkick. Life-long learner with a deep passion for people, mental health and outdoor sports.

With [every single cell](https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/uncategorized/2019/biological-roles-of-water-why-is-water-necessary-for-life/) in your body requiring water to function properly and your brilliant brain consisting of up to 85% of water, staying hydrated is one of the first goals you can easily achieve.

Keep fatigue, impaired memory, and difficulties with attention or mood out of your day: By setting a reminder to always have a large bottle on your desk when starting work, you can break the cycle of [dehydration and stress](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086063/) that often increases [depression and anxiety](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6147771/), leading to more stress to the body.

Here’s a 1 minute video of how I set up my routine in the Earkick [AI therapy chatbot](/content/site-root.html) . It’s super easy.

### Reframe Hydration To Be A Fun Activity
Rather than seeing water consumption as yet another task on your list, make it attractive and fun by:
- Treating yourself with a beautiful eye-catching bottle or jug 🍶
- Adding flavor with lemon 🍋, cucumber 🥒, ginger or mint
- Adding more spice to your meals, to you make you reach for water 🌶️
- Eat fruits such as watermelon 🍉, strawberries 🍓or tomatoes (all <%91)

Check out this [Anti-Inflammatory Golden Tonic](https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/274563/anti-inflammatory-golden-tonic/) 🍹to wind down!!

#### Want to dig deeper into why goal setting and habituation is good for your mental wellbeing? Check out the following sources:
1. [How to hydrate](https://www.physiology.org/publications/news/the-physiologist-magazine/2021/july/the-science-of-hydration?SSO=Y)
2. [Hydration State Controls Stress Responsiveness and Social Behavior](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086063/)
3. [Drinking plain water is associated with decreased risk of depression and anxiety in adults: Results from a large cross-sectional study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6147771/)
4. [Water: How much should you drink every day?](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:~:text=When%20you%20drink%20too%20much,it%20can%20be%20life%2Dthreatening.)
5. [What is too much water intake?](https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-too-much-water-intake)

The Earkick [AI therapy chatbot](/content/site-root.html) is built on four science-based elements. Check out the respective blog post on [why and how](https://blog.earkick.com/smart-selfcare-companion-app-built-on-4-elements/) we designed it.