Here’s where the advice gets personal. If you go for a run, you’re going to need a lot more water than if you binge-watched a series all weekend. Sweat modifies everything. I once went hiking with a friend who brought a single 500ml bottle for a 10-mile trek. He looked like a sad, deflated balloon by the end. Don’t be that person. On the flip side, don’t force it. Some people will tell you to drink until you’re floating, but that can lead to water intoxication (yes, it’s a real thing, and it’s terrifying).
Also, listen to your body when it’s sick. If you have a fever or a stomach bug, your fluid needs go through the roof. That’s when you need to treat water like medicine. I remember having the worst flu of my life and a friend brought me a large glass of electrolyte water. I drank it like it was the nectar of the gods. It was just salt and sugar water, but it felt like a miracle. That’s the power of proper intake.
