It sounds almost too simple to matter: drink more water. We’ve all heard it. Most of us ignore it. I used to.
For a long time, self-care felt like something I had to earn. I was chasing deeper fixes – healing practices, new routines, mental breakthroughs. Drinking water didn’t feel like it could possibly count. It was just… water.
But over time, especially during periods of burnout and anxiety, I began to notice something. The days when I felt most disconnected, most scattered or emotionally untethered, were also the days when I hadn’t had enough to drink. My head hurt. My body felt heavy. My thoughts raced. Everything felt foggy.
One day, I started keeping a glass of water by my bed. I drank it before checking my phone. I didn’t try to be perfect about it, just consistent. What surprised me was how quickly it became a small ritual that changed my mornings. (You can read more about how I rebuilt my mornings in The 5-Minute Morning Reset That Helped My Anxiety.)
Drinking water turned into a signal: You’re here. You’re allowed to care for yourself, even in small ways.
Why Water Works (Beyond the Obvious)
Yes, we know hydration is good for the body. But for me, it’s also been about:
1. Returning to the present.
Taking a sip is physical. It interrupts spiraling thoughts. It grounds me in my body, even if only for a few seconds.
2. Choosing care over chaos.
When I’m anxious, I tend to neglect my needs. Drinking water reminds me I can pause. I can choose care, even when my brain wants to rush.
3. Building trust with myself.
Keeping water near me and drinking it has become one of the first ways I started rebuilding the trust that I’ll show up for myself in small ways, every day.
4. Anchoring routines.
Water became the first step in routines I otherwise struggled to stick with, like morning resets or taking breaks during the day. (It’s one of several small habits I write about in The Everyday Self-Care Routine: 7 Habits That Actually Stick.) It created a natural moment to stop, breathe, and check in.
Simple Ways I Make Water Part of My Day
- A glass by the bed at night (drink it first thing)
- A filled water bottle in my workspace, not my phone
- Drinking a glass before I open my laptop
- Taking a sip before making a decision when I feel stressed
- Adding lemon or mint to make it feel like a treat, not a chore
These aren’t rules. Just gentle invitations.
If You’re Feeling Disconnected, Try This
Next time you feel overwhelmed or scattered, try drinking a glass of water slowly. Don’t chug it while thinking about your to-do list. Just pause. Breathe. Sip. Feel it.
You might be surprised by how grounding it feels.
Self-care doesn’t always look profound. Sometimes it’s a simple act repeated often enough that your body starts to believe: I am worth showing up for.
Water taught me that.
> For more simple habits that help anchor your day, check out The Everyday Self-Care Routine: 7 Habits That Actually Stick.
