One of the ironic things about the present day lifestyle is that while everyone is, pleasantly, going about their lives in as healthy a manner as possible, there seems to be a lot of stuff to remember and make sure of to do so. This results in the somewhat odd condition of being under a lot of pressure to stay healthy. Some people feel the need to have very meticulously designed diets that they must rigidly stick to, while others find it necessary to adhere to a fitness regimen -- making the usual word choice error "fitness regime" fit much better than perhaps intended.
But it doesn't have to be that difficult. For some people, sure, that sort of higher-stakes fitness plan works well, and you might indeed find it advisable to go forward and seek one of your own as you progress along your fitness journey. But if you're looking for a starter, with simple, practical things you can do to give your body a boost, you don't have to look much further than the water you drink. Sure, hydration in and of itself is important, even crucial. But you can do simple things with your drinking water to double the benefits of keeping hydrated. So, let's use water to keep our bodies healthy!
LEMON WATER
This has been popular for some time, and with good reason. A nice ice-cold water is refreshing enough, but adding lemon slices into the jar or flask allows a subtle citrusy flavor to permeate the cold water, giving it a light taste of lemon's signature tartness. The bright and invigorating flavor makes the water more refreshing. There are benefits beyond this too: over time, lemon water helps prevent kidney stones and supports weight loss efforts in your diet. As a citrus fruit, lemon is also a good source of vitamin C, and the body can always use a hit of that. The acid in lemon, in such a mild dose, can also help with digestion. Put a fresh slice or two in cold water, in a pitcher or thermos, and you're off to a good start.
RICE WATER
Start with 1/2 cup rinsed but uncooked rice and 2 cups water (you can make more, of course, these are the proportions to keep in mind), and soak the rice in the water for up to 30 minutes. You can refrigerate the resulting rice water (and cook the rice); the rice water will keep for one week in the fridge. Some people even ferment their rice water (follow the steps as noted, but leave it out for up to 48 hours before refrigerating it). Either variant of rice water can be used as a facial cleanser and facial toner (pour a bit of it onto a cotton pad, use on your face, and air dry), and even as an acne and eczema treatment. The andioxidant ferulic acid and the organic compound allantoin in the rice water help make this possible.
MINT WATER
Like lemon water, mint water (steep some freshly-cut mint leaves in water) is naturally refreshing and -- oddly -- simultaneously relaxing and invigorating. The cool flavor of mint has an immediate effect on your taste buds and mouth, but has benefits for the rest of your system too. Mint actually has one of the highest antioxidant capacities that you can find in any food, which is saying something considering how much more popular than mint other antioxidant foods have become. Mint contains the antioxidant anti-inflammatory agent, rosmarinic acid, which can help with seasonal allergies. Peppermint tea is a common home remedy for non-GERD indigestion and flatulence because of its apparent contribution to stimulating bile flow, which helps improve digestion.
HONEY WATER
Honey is one of those foods that is currently enjoying a renaissance of sorts with its renewed popularity. It's a natural sweetener that poses fewer risks and disadvantages than sugar (which, to be fair, is also a natural sweetener). It's got a unique flavor that it imparts to water when a small amount of honey is dissolved in it, and it's actually been a longtime tea companion and ingredient. Honey provides a healthy source of calories. One of the immediate benefits here is that it's a good source of energy as a result.
Furthermore, it helps ward off sugar cravings; switching out your soda intake with properly-portioned amounts of honey water will help contribute to weight loss in the long run. It also helps you stay regular, and if you use raw, organic honey it can help boost your immune system as well. Interestingly, over time honey water also helps your body acclimate to the pollens present in your area, meaning it can help reduce allergies too.
FENNEL WATER
Fans of Good Eats and Iron Chef may have heard of fennel as a great cooking ingredient that imparts a nice flavor onto the soups and other dishes it is part of. And that's all true! There's more to love in this underappreciated herb, though. Its seeds, when steeped in water, release volatile oils that can have a lot of health benefits. Among them are helping manage issues like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, indigestion, bloating, and acidity. Fennel also helps manage blood pressure thanks to its rich potassium content. The essential oils in fennel seeds can also help cleanse our blood and thus clear our skin, and fennel can also provide fiber that may contribute to lower the re-absorption of cholesterol.