48 Not-So-Helpful Pieces of Advice People Hear All the Time

Hydration advice often sounds like a sales pitch for water. “Drink more, and then a bit more,” they say. But our bodies aren’t always clear communicators when it comes to needs, especially for something as vital as water. The rules about how many cups or liters you should drink can sound as arbitrary as a horoscope prediction.

No one-size-fits-all number can indeed be stamped on our foreheads, as our needs fluctuate with our activity level, climate, and individual health. However, waiting for thirst can sometimes mean you’re already late to the hydration party. The key is balance and listening to your body while also understanding that sometimes it doesn’t quite tell us what we need.