Hydration is an often-forgotten key to good health. Our bodies, which are made up of about 60 percent water, rely on the essential sip for nearly every function—from digestion to metabolism to waste removal to temperature regulation. In fact, you could survive only a few days without water. 

Fun fact: Around a third of the water we consume comes from food, like fruits, veggies and soup. So how do you figure out how much you need to sip each day? Here’s a simple formula I came up with to act as a guide (note: this is not an exact science; everyone’s needs are different but this can serve as a helpful reference): Divide your weight in half and aim for that number in fluid ounces. So, someone who weighs 150 would shoot for 75 ounces (or about 9 glasses a day). You’ll need even more if you’re exercising or live in a warm climate. And feel free to change up your cup—any thirst-quenching sip counts toward this target. Plain ol’ water is great, of course, but don’t forget sparkling water (I love LaCroix), coffee, and tea, all of which can also bump up your intake and offer a nice change of flavor.

Need an incentive to imbibe? Staying hydrated helps you…