How to stay properly hydrated? 5 common mistakes most people make when drinking wate

Did you know that even if you drink water every day, your body might still be dehydrated? The reason often lies in hydration mistakes. They’re not always obvious, yet they can significantly impact your health and wellbeing. Luckily, they’re easy to spot and eliminate. In this article, we’ll show you how to drink water more effectively and what to avoid to maintain the right fluid levels in your body – so you can feel energised every single day.

Our bodies are made up mostly of water – around 60–80%. It forms our blood and plasma and fills our cells. Vital organs such as the brain, heart, liver and kidneys are full of water – even bones contain a surprising amount: as much as 22%. Water is responsible for transporting nutrients around the body, removing toxins, and regulating body temperature to keep it within a safe range of 36.6–37°C.

As you can see, staying well hydrated is essential for your health and wellbeing. Even a 1% drop in hydration levels can lead to tiredness, irritability and poor concentration. A lack of water in cells also affects appearance – dehydrated skin becomes dry and dull, and the same goes for hair. If you consistently don’t drink enough, it may also lead to constipation and urinary tract infections.

Some researchers also point to the impact of dehydration on the immune system. When the mucous membrane is dry, it’s less effective at trapping microbes, which can lead to more frequent illness. Athletes who skip proper hydration are also more prone to injury. Chronic dehydration increases the risk of kidney stones and cardiovascular disorders – and may even be linked to depression. Long-term, severe dehydration can permanently damage the kidneys, heart and brain.

So, if you want to stay healthy, it’s time to take a closer look at your hydration habits. The products you use matter here too. You don’t have to rely on plain water – OSHEE products with electrolytes and vitamins are a great choice, especially since you can now prepare them yourself.

That’s exactly what OSHEE DROP IN hydroconcentrates allow you to do:

• OSHEE DROP IN ZERO Electrolytes and vitamins – Grapefruit flavour with no sugar;
• OSHEE DROP IN Vitamins and magnesium – Citrus-orange flavour;
• OSHEE DROP IN Vitamins, zinc, iodine – Red grape and dragon fruit flavour.

Each bottle comes with a measuring cap for easy use. All you need is water and a glass, bottle or sports bottle.

Hydration mistakes – where do they come from?

Wait a second – drinking water is the simplest thing in the world, right? We learn it before we can even walk properly. So how can it be a problem?

As it turns out, hydration mistakes are very real – and anyone can make them, even those who lead generally healthy lifestyles. As the saying goes, the devil is in the detail. It’s not just about drinking fluids – the amount and quality also matter. And the habit of drinking water regularly isn’t always second nature.

Below we list the most common hydration mistakes that might be holding you back – even if you think you’re drinking enough. The good news is: they’re easy to spot and even easier to fix. We’ll also show you how OSHEE DROP IN products can help you stay better hydrated.

Mistake 1: Drinking too little water – electrolyte drinks to the rescue

This one’s obvious. If you want to be hydrated, you need to drink! But how much exactly? This is where it gets tricky – especially if you don’t know your body’s water needs. Many people think they drink a lot, because they go to the toilet often or always start their day with a hot drink. But that’s just a feeling. In reality, you may feel tired all the time simply because you’re not drinking enough.

So how do you figure out your actual water needs? It’s easy to calculate. The average daily water requirement is about 30 ml per kg of body weight. If you weigh 70 kg, that means you need around 2.1 litres of fluids per day – including all drinks and moisture from food.

But be careful! Some circumstances call for more: hot weather, time spent in air-conditioned rooms, or intense physical activity. Your water needs also increase during pregnancy or fever. In such cases, plain water might not be enough – you’ll need to replenish electrolytes as well (more on that in our article How Water Affects Post-Workout Recovery).

Functional electrolyte drinks are the best way to do that – either bottled or made at home using OSHEE DROP IN ZERO Hydroconcentrate. These contain a solid dose of electrolytes to support high-quality hydration, as well as vitamins like niacin, biotin and vitamin B6, which help the body recover after exercise.

And why don’t we drink enough? Because, surprisingly, it’s really easy to forget. Whether it’s a busy workday, a fun event or simply not having a water bottle nearby – we often forget to drink, even when our bodies send us clear signals.

The solution? Make things easier on yourself. Keep a water bottle or sports bottle nearby at all times. OSHEE DROP IN hydroconcentrates let you make up to 10 litres of electrolyte drink per bottle, making them a great everyday hydration option – and a sustainable alternative to ready-made drinks and syrups.

Mistake 2: Only drinking when you feel thirsty – stay proactive!

This one ties into the previous point. If you don’t know how much you need to drink or just forget to do it, you’re probably only drinking water when you’re already very thirsty.

But here’s the thing – when you feel thirsty, your body is already 3–4% dehydrated. And performance drops at just 2%. The thirst mechanism isn’t perfect – it’s delayed. That early feeling of thirst is easy to ignore if you’re caught up in something else. The longer you wait, the more water you lose – and the harder it is to catch up.

So drink before you’re thirsty. Definitely don’t wait until the urge becomes overwhelming. If you tend to ignore those early signs, set a phone reminder, download a hydration-tracking app, or keep a glass of water within arm’s reach. And if you want long-lasting hydration on the go, a good reusable sports bottle is a smart investment – especially since it’s perfect for making OSHEE hydroconcentrate drinks.

Mistake 3: Drinking dehydrating beverages instead of water – choose functional drinks

How much you drink is one thing – but what you drink is just as important. Poor beverage choices can lead to poor hydration. Your main source of fluids should be mineral water or drinks containing vitamins and minerals.

But many of us grew up quenching our thirst with juice or fizzy sugary drinks. Water seemed boring and bland by comparison – and not the first choice when thirst strikes. Unfortunately, juices and sugary drinks don’t actually hydrate well. A little glucose can help with fluid absorption, but large amounts of sugar can have the opposite effect – leaving you even thirstier. Alcohol is also dehydrating, as it increases water loss via the kidneys.

If water feels too “boring” for you, try flavoured OSHEE drinks – including the sugar-free ones! OSHEE DROP IN ZERO Electrolytes and vitamins – Grapefruit flavour without sugar is a great example. It provides effective hydration and contains no artificial colours or flavours.

What about tea and coffee? The idea that they dehydrate you is a myth – but still worth considering. If your whole fluid intake comes from coffee (especially black) or energy drinks, it’s no wonder you’re not feeling great. Beyond hydration, it’s a lot of caffeine. That might give you a morning boost, but in excess it can disrupt sleep and raise stress hormone levels. Plus, drinking only caffeinated drinks can lead to excess calories and increased body fat.

So if you love your morning coffee or enjoy juice and energy drinks, go ahead – but have them in addition to water, not instead of it.

Mistake 4: No electrolytes during intense effort (and beyond)

Hydration is about more than just water. To properly hydrate your body, water must contain the right amount of electrolytes – essential minerals that help retain fluid in cells and transmit nerve signals. Electrolytes affect brain function, the nervous system and muscles – including the heart. The key ones include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and phosphate.

We lose electrolytes through sweat – which is why it’s important to replenish them regularly, especially during heavy sweating. In everyday life, we get them from food. Table salt provides sodium, dairy and leafy greens offer calcium, and potassium is abundant in tomatoes, bananas and pumpkin seeds. Mineral water and even tap water (if it’s hard) also supply some electrolytes.

But when we’re losing a lot – during exercise, fever or heat – we need a drink with a serious dose of minerals. That could be high-mineral OSHEE water or specialised electrolyte tablets.

Once again, OSHEE DROP IN hydroconcentrates are a great option – ideal for everyday use, during and after workouts, during heatwaves, or when recovering from illness.

Other good choices include milk or fermented milk drinks like kefir, buttermilk or ayran. These also contain carbs, which enhance the drink’s hydrating properties.

Mistake 5: Drinking too much water at once – hydrate gradually

If you’ve gone all day on one cup of coffee and then suddenly chug 1.5 litres of water, you might quench your thirst – but you won’t hydrate effectively. In fact, it might do more harm than good. Most of that water will just pass through your system and end up in the toilet.

Drinking too much water at once can also throw off your electrolyte balance, flushing out minerals and worsening dehydration. In extreme cases, it may lead to hyponatraemia – a dangerous drop in blood sodium levels. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, malaise, and in severe cases, seizures, lethargy or even coma.

Magnesium is one of the nutrients that help maintain electrolyte balance – and you’ll find it in OSHEE DROP IN Vitamins and magnesium – Citrus-orange flavour. This formula also includes vitamin B6 and biotin to support proper energy metabolism.

Your body isn’t a sponge – it can’t absorb unlimited water instantly. Hydration is a complex process that takes time. You’ll get the most benefit from water when you drink it in small amounts throughout the day. Two glasses at a time is plenty.

How to drink water for effective hydration

To stay properly hydrated, drink as much water as your body needs. Don’t rely solely on thirst – learn to recognise your body’s dehydration signals and respond right away. Thirst isn’t always the first sign. Others include irritability, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps.

Water is also the perfect base for OSHEE drinks packed with useful ingredients. Try options with electrolytes and vitamins – like OSHEE DROP IN Vitamins, zinc, iodine – Red grape and dragon fruit flavour. These drinks provide quality hydration while replenishing essential nutrients lost through activity, heat or illness.

Keep water or an OSHEE drink visible at all times to remind yourself to drink regularly. And remember, some situations call for even more fluids.

Instead of sugary drinks and juices, go for water with lemon or cucumber slices – or make a drink using hydroconcentrates. If you drink a lot of tea or coffee, make sure to balance it out with water in between.

Now that you know the most common hydration mistakes, you can easily avoid them and build healthier drinking habits every day.