In my other article on this subject I outlined why drinking water is immensely important for men's health, productivity, and even sexual performance, and why so many men don't drink water correctly or at all.  But the resounding question is how to drink water correctly.  Here are answers that make solid [though not common] sense and have roots in ancient medical teachings that have accompanied civilisations for thousands of years and are on a rising trend again.

Don't drink sweet drinks instead of water even though they are liquid.

Manufacturers of sweet beverages lead consumers to regularly buy more.  Nothing else interests them. After all, we live in a world of chasing profits. Therefore if many people were to manufacture a soft drink, they would also want profit first.  The interest of manufacturers of sweet beverages is that their beverages be irresistible and people want more.  This means that the beverages must be adequately sweet and thus become nutritionally dangerous.  All sweet drinks:

• are addictive
• fatten and dehydrate instead of nourishing.

It is therefore best not to drink them at all.  Instead buy still mineral water or drink tap water if you're in a country where drinking tap water is safe.  You can always filter it. You have the option of sweetening water with artificial sweeteners (that have few calories). But it's also better not to do so.  One reason is that the word artificial suggests chemicals.  Secondly, craving the sweet taste is a matter of habit just like drinking plain water. And it often also indicates imbalance of the doshas.

Overcome objections to drinking water

Many men protest that they can't drink water because x, y, z or because it tastes terribly.  Of course this is so if they are used to drinks full of sugar and addictive chemicals, caffeine, or alcohol! Don't defy, just find a way to replace addictive drinks with water. Because what you put into your body gives or takes your sexappeal. Albeit you won't enjoy drinking water at first, get through it. You can flavour water with lemon, lime, the leaves of mint, or lemon balm. Or try herbal teas. They contain little caffeine, have flavour, heal, and can be drunk warm or cold. Your taste will change over time and you won't crave addictive drinks.

Another frequent reason why men don't want to drink water is that they would often urinate.  While this is true, they will urinate even more from caffeinated, chemical, and alcoholic drinks! Secondly these men need to decide whether they want long-term health and sexappeal or long-term illness for short-term gratification.  Think through the pros and cons and find willingness to integrate drinking water into life.

Drinking water instead of addictive drinks will keep the stomach fuller. You won't crave sweet and salty foods.  A well hydrated person simply isn't very hungry and thus eats smaller portions of food. Another beautiful thing which will happen over time is that the body will adjust to the new program and ask for water instead of addictive drinks. That will be a litmus test. And the frequency of urinating will also correct itself over time.

Make drinking water a habit

Many men quickly present objections to drinking water.  But objecting won't give health, energy, and sexappeal.  If these men presented willingness to learn to drink water as quickly, they would look and feel younger and more attractive.  Some good coaching will definitely help if you do not know how to exit the old ways.

Drinking plain water is a matter of habit.  Some readers may now protest that they won't ever let anyone tamper with their favourite drink, or that they absolutely must have water sparkling.  That's also a matter of habit.  These readers' dependence on sparkling water is only a psychological dependence that manufacturers of these drinks instil. The gas in sparkling water is also bad for the body. The sooner you cut sweet and sparkling drinks out of life, the sooner you'll find that it is perfectly possible to drink water. And also that after some time you won't miss sweet or carbonated drinks at all.

Especially at the beginning it's natural that you won't want to drink water often. Start by taking one sip after every 2 mouthfuls of food at meals. This way you (and everyone) will partially overcome the tasteless nature of water.  If you like the taste of herbal teas, you can also drink them when thirsty between meals - plus benefit from the vast variety of their flavours.  If you don't like herbal teas, try the first cup of one of a flavour that sounds good to you. You can embellish it with brown or coconut sugar and a few drops of juice of lemon [for vata and kapha doshas] or lime [for pitta dosha]. Do not drink tea after 7pm if you want to sleep well.

So how to drink water correctly?

• Drink water between meals only when you are thirsty. Don't drink gallons of water because you hear that drinking gallons of water is good. It is not good. Listen to your body.
• A glass of warm water after getting up activates the internal organs and keeps the digestive fire strong.
• One sip of lukewarm water after every 2 mouthfuls of meals helps digestion.
• And a glass of warm cow's milk blended with 5 whole soaked almonds, 2 dates, and a pinch or cardamom powder before sleep induces sleep and nourishes the body.
• Do not drink when you are hungry, do not eat when you are thirsty.

Never drink ice cold water because it is heavy on the stomach, shocks the system, weakens the digestive fire, and therefore impairs digestion. Especially obese people usually hate warm water, but warm water is exactly what they should drink to keep the digestive fire strong to digest and absorb food. It is also true that since warm water is light on the stomach, it is easy to drink. Try it! A wonderful drink for burning fat and curing emotional hunger is a glass of warm water with 10 drops of lime juice and a teaspoon of honey.

Is drinking water more easily said than done?

Satisfy your biological needs first. Only then can you satisfy the world.  Old habits can die just as easily as new habits can grow when one believes that something is right for him. Let this article be the turning point if it makes sense to you. Even old dogs learn new tricks. If you treat your body with good habits, it will serve you better. Of course, not everyone can build new habits alone! But you don't have to. You can do it with me!