By: Lauren McRae

Sometimes it feels as if getting our recommended daily water intake can be one of the toughest “chores” as an adult. Water not only helps fight hunger, keeps us feeling awake and refreshed, but it can also help keep our skin moisturized. 

The amount of daily water needed from person to person varies greatly. A general guideline is 0.5 ounces per pound that you weigh per day. If you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 ounces, which would be approximately nine glasses of water per day. 

So are people drinking enough water? According to the CDC, in 2005-2010, U.S. youth drank an average of 15 ounces of water and U.S. adults drank an average of 39 ounces of water on a given day. These numbers show people aren't consuming as much water as they need. 

We know we need to drink enough water, but how? Lynn Chehab, MD, NorthShore-affiliated Pediatrician, recommends these easy tips to get you drinking more water:

• Use a straw! You are more likely to drink more with less effort.
• Add flavor with fresh mint, cucumbers, lemon or whatever you’re in the mood for!
• Track your water whether it’s through an app or writing it down.
• Use a one-to-one rule, where after every non-water drink you consume, follow up with a glass of water.
• Sip your water, don’t gulp. Drinking too fast can leave your stomach feeling unsettled and can actually deter you from drinking more.
• Mark your bottle with time goals. Having a set schedule can help put you into a routine.
• Set a timer to remind you to drink.

Try to aim for approximately 8 glasses of water every day. Some people need more or less than that. A good indicator is your urine color, which you want to be a pale yellow.