The Best Way to Get Hydrated: Simple Morning Habits

Discover the best way to get hydrated. Think quick routines, easy swaps, and little hacks that actually stick.

That groggy, half-conscious haze you wake up in? Oh, I know it well. It’s like my brain is wrapped in bubble wrap, and no amount of mindless social media scrolling seems to pop the metaphorical bubbles. Charming start to the day, right?

For the longest time, I just assumed this was the deal—mornings = misery, especially on weekdays. But then I discovered the best way to get hydrated. Not in some life-altering, “my soul is reborn” kind of way, but in a “wow, mornings are slightly less terrible now” kind of way. 

Let’s talk about why hydrating in the morning is such a big deal and how a few simple habits can set you up for a better day. Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think, and no, you don’t have to buy a $100 water bottle—unless you really want to.

Full transparency – a few of the links within this post might lead you toward booking sites or product pages. I may earn a small commission if you choose to use these links. Of course, there’s never any pressure, and it doesn’t affect the price.

Why Morning Hydration Matters

First, the science. According to Dr. Dana Cohen’s book Quench: Beat Fatigue, Drop Weight, and Heal Your Body Through the New Science of Optimum Hydration, your body loses water overnight through breathing and (unpleasantly enough) sweating. When you wake up, you’re already in a mild state of dehydration, which can make you feel tired, cranky, and about as sharp as a spoon.

Dehydration isn’t just out here making mornings harder—it’s throwing shade at your whole day. Even mild dehydration can mess with your mood, zap your energy, and make focusing feel like solving quantum physics. So, if your morning routine feels like wading through quicksand, maybe your body’s just politely screaming, “Water, please?” 

And no, your morning coffee doesn’t count. We’ll get to that in a bit.

My Morning Hydration Routine

Hydration doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s water. You drink it. That’s the whole play. But let’s not pretend it’s always that simple. Mornings happen. Life happens. Suddenly it’s 2 p.m., and you feel like a houseplant left in the sun.

I’ve been there. For years, my morning routine was coffee, chaos, and wondering why I hit a wall before lunch. Spoiler: caffeine doesn’t count as hydration. Eventually, I picked up a few habits that made staying hydrated less of a chore.

Here’s what worked for me. Maybe it’ll click for you, too:

1. Start Your Day with Water (Before Anything Else)

First thing’s first—drink water. No exceptions. Before you grab your phone, shuffle to the kitchen, or even fully open your eyes, reach for that glass of water on your nightstand.

Why? Your body’s been working all night, and it’s thirsty. Room-temperature water works best—it’s easy to gulp down when you’re still half-asleep.

Why bother? Because drinking water first thing jump-starts your day. It wakes your body up, rehydrates you, and sets the tone for a win.

2. Add a Pinch of Salt or Lemon

If you’re feeling extra (and why not?), toss a pinch of Himalayan salt or a squeeze of lemon into your water. Sure, it sounds bougie, but it’s not just about flavor—it’s about electrolytes. According to Quench, electrolytes are like the VIP pass that helps water actually do its job.

I personally recommend this Himalayan pink salt shaker. It’s affordable, functional, and—let’s be real—it gives your counter a little “I might know how to use a mortar and pestle” energy.

3. Eat Your Water

Did you know you can eat your way to better hydration? Cucumbers, oranges, and chia seeds are low-key hydration hacks. And breakfast is a great time to sneak them in without trying too hard.

Take chia pudding. It’s just chia seeds, almond milk, and a little patience while it sits overnight. The seeds soak up the liquid, and suddenly you’ve got this creamy, satisfying dish that looks way fancier than it is. 

A fruit salad works too. Watermelon, oranges, and grapes are all loaded with water and natural sugars. Or, if you’re up for something a little different, try topping yogurt with cucumber slices and a drizzle of honey. Sounds weird, tastes amazing.

4. Coffee Comes After Water

I get it. Coffee is life. But drinking coffee on an empty stomach can be dehydrating and tough on your digestive system. That doesn’t mean you have to give it up—just drink water first. Consider it a truce between your caffeine addiction and your body’s basic needs.

If you’re worried about giving up your early-morning coffee fix, don’t be. Moderate coffee consumption isn’t as dehydrating as people think. So go ahead and enjoy that latte—just follow it up with some extra water. Coffee may fuel your soul, but water is the best way to get hydrated.

How Morning Hydration Transforms Your Day

Hydration routines used to sound like a wellness cliché to me. Drink water, stay alive. How revolutionary. But when I gave it a try my energy stopped rollercoastering, my skin looked less like sandpaper, and I could face other humans pre-coffee without glaring at them. 

Knowing the best way to get hydrated won’t solve your existential crises. It’s not magic. It’s just one of those small, unassuming habits that makes the rest of life more tolerable. And sometimes, that’s all you need to keep going.

Making It Stick: Practical Tips

Here are a few ways I turned morning hydration into a habit:

• Set a Reminder: Let your phone nag you with a morning alarm labeled “Drink Water, You Dehydrated Plant.”
• Make It Convenient: Put a glass of water by your bed. It’s hard to ignore something staring at you first thing in the morning. Turns out, proximity really does lead to hydration. Science and laziness in perfect harmony.
• Flavor It Up: Plain water too…plain? Drop in some fruit, herbs, or a heroic splash of juice. It’s water, but with flair. Hydration doesn’t have to be a personality, but it can have one.
• Pair It with Another Habit: Sip water while you read or wait for your coffee to brew. Multitasking, but for your kidneys.

Final Thoughts

Hydration’s simple. Like socks before shoes. Skip it and dehydration can zap your energy and focus. But that’s something a glass of water first thing in the morning can fix. Low effort, high reward.

No need to overthink it. Robin Wall Kimmerer, in The Serviceberry, talks about reciprocity—what you give, you get. Hydration works the same way. It’s not a grind or some grand wellness statement. It’s just a little way to feel human and stay functional.

If that resonates, maybe you’ll like The Perfect Morning Routine for a Happy Heart. More ideas, no extra fluff. Finding the best way to get hydrated is just the start.