H₂Oh, Mom—Why Is Drinking Water So Hard?

I don’t remember my mom ever chugging water.

My mom didn’t reach for a glass of water. She nudged herself toward it—with a lemon wedge, a tiny push, a shrug. Squeezing lemons into water was her way of making hydration feel like something. I didn’t think much of it, but now? I catch myself going half a day without a drink and realizing: I’ve become a little too good at going without.

I used to think it was just forgetfulness. But now I wonder—was it modeled? Maybe some of us inherit a low thirst the way others inherit dimples or blue eyes. We don’t reach for water naturally. We have to remind ourselves. Relearn what our bodies already know.

Turns out, the more you delay hydration, the more your body adapts to not asking for it.

And that’s a problem.

Why Water Isn’t Just Nice to Have—It’s Essential

You’ve heard it before: your body is mostly water. But that’s not just trivia—it’s a survival manual. Water cushions your joints. It regulates your temperature. It supports digestion, clears waste, sharpens your thinking, and even helps your mood.

That mid-afternoon brain fog? Could be dehydration.
That strange craving that won’t quit? Could be thirst in disguise.

Water powers the entire system. And still, many of us treat it like a backup option.

How Much Water Is Enough?

Forget the one-size-fits-all gallon jug challenge. Your hydration needs depend on your body, your climate, and your lifestyle. But a good starting place?

Half your body weight in ounces.
(If you weigh 160 pounds, that’s 80 ounces—around 10 cups.)

If you’re sweating a lot, drinking caffeine or alcohol, or living in a dry environment, you’ll need more.

Best time to start? When your toes first hit the floor, or at least within 30 minutes of waking.
Best time to slow down? About an hour or two before bed (your sleep cycle will thank you).

When Thirst Doesn’t Show Up

For some of us, the thirst signal runs quiet. Chronic underhydration can blunt the sensation. Aging can, too. Or maybe your mind’s just been louder than your body—emails, errands, distractions.

That’s the thing about water: when you’re not getting enough, you often don’t notice—until you do. Until you’re tired, cranky, or dragging by dinner. Until your body’s whisper turns into a shout.

7 Ways to Remix Your Relationship With Water

If you’re like me—and like my mom—you need more than a reminder. You need a reason. A ritual. A remix.

Here are a few:

1. Infuse it.
   Lemon, cucumber, mint, ginger—whatever makes it feel like a treat, not a task.
2. Add fizz.
   Sparkling water with a citrus twist can satisfy soda cravings with none of the junk.
3. Salt it (gently).
   A tiny pinch of mineral-rich salt (like Celtic or pink) can help your body absorb water more effectively.
4. Pair it with habits.
   One glass after brushing your teeth. Another before lunch. Tie it to things you already do.
5. Make it beautiful.
   Invest in a water bottle or carafe you love using. Form meets function.
6. Herbal teas count.
   Iced hibiscus, rooibos, or mint tea can hydrate and refresh.
7. Track your wins.
   Rubber bands on your bottle, a notes app tally, or visual reminders on your fridge.

Back to Mom—and Forward to Me

My mom didn’t talk about hydration. She didn’t journal about thirst or count her ounces. But I remember her tiny ritual: wedges of lemon, quiet push, a few sips and a sigh.

She didn’t crave water. But she nudged herself toward it anyway.

These days, I see myself in that nudge. And I try to go a little further. Drink before I feel parched. Listen before the whisper becomes a shout.

I think of water now not as a habit, but as a kindness. The smallest, clearest way to say: I’m taking care of this body today.

Want to Drink Better, Eat Better, Feel Better?

Drop a question in our DMs and follow us for more good ideas on IG @remixology