16 Jan 2018 – From top to toe, water helps every bit of your body to work better. Hospitals can get very warm and dry and it can be easy to forget to drink regularly. And drinking plenty every day is one of the best ways to make you feel good all over.

The charity, Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), is making this easy with our Hydrate Feel Great campaign with special offers running in our Leicester Royal Hospital shop and cafe from 16 January until 12 February.

If you don’t drink enough, you might feel tired, and your memory and reactions may not work as well as they could. You could be more at risk of slips, falls and other accidents. Good hydration is also essential for keeping all your personal plumbing working well. So here are our favourite ‘sip tips’ for staying well hydrated and feeling in fine fettle.

1  Aim for 8 – 10 a day
The British Nutrition Foundation recommends 8 to 10 drinks each day, to replace the fluids you lose naturally.

 2  Don’t wait until you’re thirsty
As you get older you may find you don’t feel the sensation of thirst as much as you did, so make a point of having a drink regularly.

3  Keep it close
When you sit down to watch TV or read, keep a drink by you.

4  Looks count
Ice and a slice and your favourite glass can make plain water look much more enticing.

5  Souper foods
You can get around 20% of the water you need from the right food. Soups and stews are good, and fresh fruit and vegetables are up to 80% water.

 6  The straw test
One simple way to keep an eye on your hydration is to glance at the loo and check your urine colour. Pale straw colour is fine; if it’s darker, drink a bit more.

7  Don’t restrict your drinking
Sometimes people worry about drinking late in the day, because it might mean having to get up in the night. If it’s an issue, drink a bit more earlier on.

8  Not just water
Tea, coffee, herbal teas, hot chocolate, milk drinks, fruit juices, smoothies and fizzy drinks all provide water (though drinking sweet drinks frequently is best avoided).

 9  Can you drink too much?
It’s very unlikely. The signs would be going to the loo frequently and very pale urine.

10  When you might need more
You can get around 20% of the water you need from the right food. Soups and stews are good, and fresh fruit and vegetables are up to 80% water.