It's officially heatwave season, and while some of us are lugging a water bottle around like it's an extra limb, others forget water is a thing entirely until it's 4pm.

Either way, most of us know we could be doing better.

What I've noticed after a decade of conversations about hydration: the answer is almost always some version of "I could improve." And honestly? Same.

But here's the thing. Most of us aren't clinically dehydrated. Dehydration is the dramatic version, the headache, the dizzy spell, the "wait, when did I last drink water" panic.

What nobody talks about is under-hydration. (I may have just made up that word, but you know exactly what I mean.) You're drinking some water. Just not quite enough to feel what your body can actually do when it's fully, properly hydrated.

Under-hydrated might feel like skin that's a little tighter than it should be. Energy that's a bit flat. That 3pm brain fog showing up right on schedule.

It's such a fine line that you don't even realize you've crossed it. You just think this is normal. This is how I always feel.

It's not. And once you close that gap, the difference shows up fast. You look better, think clearer, cravings dissipate, and you just feel like yourself again.

What finally moved me from under-hydrated to hydrated was learning that even slightly suboptimal hydration can raise cortisol levels. So no matter how much I was investing in stress management, breathwork, sleep, boundaries, all of it, I was quietly undoing some of that effort simply by not drinking enough.

The good news? The fix is simple. And it can actually be fun.

START YOUR DAY WITH A PINCH OF SALT

Add a pinch of good quality salt to your morning water. It helps your body absorb and hold onto that water instead of running straight through you, which matters most first thing before you've had anything else.

Skip the fancy electrolyte packets for everyday use. Salt does the same job. But when you need that extra boost, a long hike, hot yoga, a travel day, this is my favorite portable mixer so you're never stuck stirring clumps out of a water bottle with a spoon.

EAT YOUR WATER

High water content fruits and vegetables are one of the most underrated hydration sources, especially right now. Mother Nature is delivering with so many good options this month.

Cherries, peaches, cucumbers, tomatoes, berries, watermelon, celery. Most of these are over 90% water. Add them to a summer salad or blend them into a smoothie for a delicious way to hydrate without thinking about it. 

FILL YOUR FRIDGE WITH SPA WATER

Keep a jar going at all times so staying hydrated feels a little luxurious rather than like a chore. Some easy combos: lemon, cucumber, and mint. Raspberry and lime. Frozen peaches with a handful of basil. Whatever you have on hand works.

TRY CHIA LEMONADE

Chia seeds hold about 12 times their weight in water, so they're doing a lot of extra work while you sip. If you want a natural electrolyte boost, swap the water for coconut water for an even more refreshing version.

Under-hydrated isn't an official diagnosis. But it's real, and the difference is noticeable. It's the gap between getting through a hot summer day feeling a little flat and draggy, and moving through it feeling clear, energized, and actually like yourself.

This is one of the most overlooked habits out there. And once you dial it in, you'll wonder what took so long.

Cheers to staying hydrated & feeling good,