Staying hydrated is an integral part of any healthy lifestyle. Drinking enough water helps to keep your body functioning optimally, supporting digestion, skin health, and even mental clarity.
Setting SMART goals can provide a framework for increasing your daily water intake. Fortunately, this article will give 10 examples of SMART goals related to drinking more water.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART framework can encourage you to develop practical goals for drinking more water. SMART is an acronym standing for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
Need more clarity? Let’s dive deeper into each SMART criterion:
Specific
Make sure you are as specific as possible when creating goals. For instance, specify precisely how much and at what times during your routine instead of just deciding that you’ll drink more water every day.
That could look like drinking one glass of 8 ounces before breakfast and lunch and one in the evening before bedtime. You’ll be able to hold yourself accountable for reaching your daily goal on time.
Measurable
Measurable goals allow for accountability and act as a roadmap for successes that will build over time. You should include specific measurements, such as the number or percentage.
Establishing benchmarks within these parameters allows you to evaluate each step along the way, ensuring that you are on track to your long-term goal.
Attainable
Set realistic expectations to boost success in reaching your hydration goals. Consider how much water you typically drink and then increase that amount slightly so that your new goal is reasonable.
For example, if you drink two glasses of water a day, try increasing the amount slightly until you reach four glasses daily. You will prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed.
Relevant
Developing meaningful goals that align with your core values will push you to achieve your dreams. You will finally be able to stay the course even when times get difficult since your values will lead you on the correct path.
Time-Based
With a timeline in place, you can stay on track and keep sight of your hydration goals. After all, success can’t be reached overnight—it is a process of hard work and dedication that needs to be maintained over time.
Why Are SMART Goals Important for Drinking More Water?
Staying hydrated can be difficult, especially if you’re used to drinking sugary sodas or caffeinated beverages throughout the day. But making an effort to drink more water daily is crucial for maintaining good health and wellness.
Water helps flush toxins out of our bodies and keep us hydrated, which makes it an essential part of our diets. But in order to meet your hydration goals, it would be wise to take advantage of the SMART framework.
Why? Because it’s easy to become overwhelmed with reaching any health or fitness goal if you don’t have a clear plan on how to get there. With this framework, you can chunk down your goal into smaller steps that are specific and achievable.
10 SMART Goals Examples for Drinking More Water
Below you will explore 10 examples of SMART goals to drink more water:
1. Track Water Consumption
“I will track my water consumption for four weeks to increase my awareness of how much I drink. At the end of these four weeks, I’ll be able to evaluate my hydration habits and decide what changes need to be made.”
Specific: This is specific because the person knows precisely what they need to do: track their water consumption for four weeks.
Measurable: You can evaluate your progress in this goal by tracking how much water you drink each week.
Attainable: This is an achievable goal because it is something you can do daily.
Relevant: Tracking your water consumption will help you become more aware of how much you drink, leading to healthier habits.
Time-based: Completion of this goal is expected after four weeks.
2. Have an Accountability Buddy
“I’ll enlist an accountability buddy’s help to stay on track with my goal of drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day for the 6 months ahead. I will check in with them each week to update them on my progress and get feedback on ways to stay motivated.”
Specific: This goal outlines what you need to do (drink 8 glasses of water daily for 6 months) and who will help you (an accountability buddy).
Measurable: You will be able to measure the quantity of water you consume.
Attainable: Drinking 8 glasses of water per day is achievable.
Relevant: Having an accountability buddy encourages you to drink more water.
Time-based: The time frame for the goal is 6 whole months.
3. Carry a Water Bottle
“By the end of two weeks, I will make it a habit to carry a water bottle everywhere I go. This way, I can drink more water throughout the day without making multiple trips to a drinking fountain or the kitchen.”
Specific: The goal is clear, and the action required to accomplish it is known.
Measurable: You will be able to track how often you carry a water bottle and measure the amount of water you drink.
Attainable: This goal can be achieved with effort and dedication to making it a habit.
Relevant: Carrying a water bottle is an effective way to increase your daily water intake.
Time-based: There is a two-week timeline for accomplishing this goal.
4. Use Hydration Reminders
“I want to build a habit of regularly drinking water throughout the day. To achieve this, I’ll set up hydration reminders on my phone that ping every two hours to remind me to drink a glass of water. I will assess my progress over the next month and determine whether this method is effective.”
Specific: The SMART goal explicitly mentions setting up hydration reminders and tracking progress.
Measurable: Monitor how often the person drinks water over the course of a month.
Attainable: Using hydration reminders is attainable and requires little effort.
Relevant: The goal is relevant to the person’s desired habit of drinking water throughout the day.
Time-based: Goal achievement is anticipated within the following month.
5. Add Flavor to Water
“I will include a variety of fruit slices and herbs in my water bottle or pitcher to improve the taste of my drinking water by the end of the month. I’ll be able to stay hydrated while still enjoying the flavor of what I’m drinking.”
Specific: The goal is clear. The person knows that they want to include a variety of fruit slices and herbs in their water bottle or pitcher to improve the taste of their drinking water.
Measurable: Ensure you include fruit slices and herbs in your pitcher or water bottle.
Attainable: This is attainable with the right resources and motivation.
Relevant: The goal is relevant to the individual’s desire to improve the taste of their drinking water.
Time-based: The statement will be met by the end of the month.
6. Create Reward System
“Within two months, I will create a rewards system to incentivize drinking more water throughout the day. My reward system should include some incentive for each cup I drink—whether it’s a checkmark on the calendar, sticker, or point system.”
Specific: You have precise actions available—create a reward system.
Measurable: Follow your progress with a calendar, sticker, or point system.
Attainable: Giving yourself incentives for drinking water is a great way to stay motivated.
Relevant: This goal relates to your primary objective of increasing water intake.
Time-based: You should expect goal attainment within two months.
7. Avoid Sugary Drinks
“I’ll reduce my consumption of sugary drinks and replace them with healthier options, such as water or unsweetened tea, by the end of three months. I’ll keep track of my progress by tracking how many sugary drinks I consume each week.”
Specific: The person wants to replace sugary drinks with healthier options.
Measurable: You can count how many sugary drinks you consume every week.
Attainable: Making a conscious effort to avoid sugary drinks is an achievable goal.
Relevant: Swapping sugary drinks for healthier options is a great way to improve one’s health.
Time-based: You have three months to accomplish this goal.
8. Practice Mindful Hydration
“I’ll take a break from my daily routine to enjoy a glass of water and think about what it is doing for me. I’ll stop to remember how important it is to my overall health and that I should be thankful for this natural resource. Within 7 months, I will practice mindful hydration at least three times per week.”
Specific: This goal involves taking a moment to appreciate and show gratitude for water.
Measurable: This is evaluated by practicing mindful hydration at least three times weekly.
Attainable: Taking a few minutes once a week to appreciate water is achievable.
Relevant: Mindful hydration encourages understanding and appreciation of water which is vital to health.
Time-based: There is a deadline of 7 months for this particular goal.
9. Buy a Water Filter
“In the following two months, I will purchase a water filter and set a regular schedule for using it to clean our drinking water. This will ensure that any contaminants in the tap water are filtered out, and I can drink clean, safe drinking water.”
Specific: Clearly states what will be done and the timeline for completion.
Measurable: You can measure how often the water filter is used and the quality of water it produces.
Attainable: This goal is realistic because affordable water filters are available on the market.
Relevant: This is important for minimizing health risks from drinking contaminated water.
Time-based: There is a two-month timeline for success.
10. Keep Away From Diuretics
“I will avoid drinks and foods that are diuretics, like coffee and alcohol, for the 5 months ahead. I want to make sure that I am not creating an imbalance in my water intake, and I can also ensure that I’m getting the right amount of hydration.”
Specific: This SMART goal is clearly defined and establishes the parameters for avoiding diuretics.
Measurable: The person should make sure to monitor their consumption of diuretics and make a note of any changes.
Attainable: The goal is feasible if the person is willing to cut out diuretics in their diet.
Relevant: This is pertinent to drinking more water because it removes other sources of liquid that will reduce the overall amount of water consumed.
Time-based: A timeline is established with a 5-month end date for completion.
Final Thoughts
Drinking more water is essential for overall health and wellness. By creating SMART goals to increase water consumption, you can make reaching the recommended daily amount of water intake easier and adhere to a healthier lifestyle.
Start by setting a realistic goal, such as drinking more than 8 glasses of water daily. And hold yourself accountable by enlisting the help of a friend or family member. With the right mindset, you can strive to drink more water daily.
