We've all been there. It's 3pm, you've been at your desk for hours, and you suddenly realise your water bottle is still full from this morning.
Around 78% of people in the UK drink far less water than recommended, with most of us averaging around 726ml a day. That's barely half of what our bodies need. Most of us know we should be drinking more. We buy a nice water bottle, fill it up with good intentions, and then... forget about it completely. The bottle sits there, untouched, while we power through emails, meetings, and the general chaos of daily life.
So what gives? Why is something as simple as drinking water so difficult to remember?
The Problem with Willpower
Trying to remember to drink water through sheer determination rarely works. Life gets busy, and hydration slips down the priority list. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already playing catch-up.
The good news is that the right water bottle can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. And no, we're not talking about expensive smart bottles that sync to your phone. Sometimes the simplest design tweaks make the biggest difference.
The Straw Trick
If you take one tip away from this post, let it be this: try a water bottle with a straw.
It sounds almost too simple, but research backs it up. People who drink through a straw consume more liquid without even realising it. Hospitals have known this for years and use straws to help patients stay hydrated.
Why does it work? A few reasons:
-
When you drink through a straw, you don't need to unscrew a lid, tilt the bottle, or pause what you're doing. You can take a quick sip while typing, driving, or walking. These micro-sips add up throughout the day.
-
Every small barrier between you and your water adds up. Having to stop, open a lid, and drink properly might only take ten seconds, but it's enough to make you think "I'll do it in a minute" and then forget entirely.
-
Many people report drinking "without realising it" when using a straw bottle. The act becomes so effortless that it fades into the background of your day.
One reviewer described switching to a straw lid bottle and being "a full litre down by 10am" for the first time ever. That's the kind of shift we're talking about.
Time Markers as Gentle Nudges
Another feature worth considering is time markers printed on the bottle. These visual reminders show you where your water level should be at different points throughout the day.
The psychology behind this is straightforward. When you glance at your bottle and see that it should be half empty by noon, but it's still nearly full, you get an instant visual prompt to take a few sips. No alarms, no apps buzzing at you, simply a quiet reminder built into the bottle itself.
Time markers work particularly well for people who get absorbed in work and lose track of time. The bottle becomes a passive accountability partner, sitting on your desk and gently prompting you to keep up.
Visibility Is Everything
This might seem obvious, but where you keep your bottle makes a huge difference.
Insulated bottles are brilliant for keeping water cold, but they have one drawback: you can't see how much water is left inside. When your water is out of sight, it tends to slip out of mind too.
If you opt for an insulated bottle, make sure it lives somewhere visible. On your desk, not in your bag. Next to your keyboard, not across the room.
For some people, a clear or translucent bottle works better because you can constantly see the water level dropping (or not dropping, which is its own kind of motivation).
Finding Your Perfect Bottle
Everyone's different, some people prefer twist tops, others swear by flip lids, and plenty of us have a drawer full of bottles we bought with the best intentions but never quite bonded with.
The trick is finding a bottle that fits naturally into your routine. A few questions worth asking yourself:
-
Do you drink better when you can sip hands-free? Try a straw lid.
-
Do you need visual reminders? Look for time markers.
-
Do you like ice-cold water? Prioritise insulation.
-
Do you carry your bottle in a bag? Make sure the lid is genuinely leak-proof.
The best bottle is the one you'll reach for without thinking. Sometimes that means investing in something you're excited to use, something that looks good on your desk and feels satisfying to drink from.
Small Sips, Big Impact
Drinking more water doesn't require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Most of the time, it comes down to removing the tiny obstacles that stand between you and your next sip.
A straw that lets you drink while typing. Time markers that give you a gentle nudge. A bottle that lives within arm's reach. These small changes stack up throughout the day, turning hydration from a chore into something that happens almost automatically.
Your body will thank you. And you might be surprised how quickly a full water bottle becomes an empty one.
