Sip, Smile and Repeat: Hydration Hacks for Your Fabulous 60s

Does anyone out there not have a trendy water bottle these days? If you didn’t already own one, chances are someone lovingly shoved one into your hands over the holidays. We’re living in the golden age of hydration accessories: Stanleys, Swigs, Hydrojugs, Owalas, Brümates, Yetis… plus the freebie bottles from health fairs and conventions that somehow multiply like rabbits in the back of your pantry.

They come in every color, shape, and size. Some sport your alma mater, some your favorite team, and some are bedazzled with stickers that proudly announce your hobbies to strangers in the grocery line. Whether you have one beloved bottle or collect them like a Trekkie with limited‑edition figurines, hydration matters – so you might as well enjoy the experience.

I recently had to say goodbye to my beloved pink Stanley – the one that kept my water ice‑cold all day and carried my chapstick, eye drops, and half my personality in that adorable little pouch. As much as I adored her, I’m pretty sure she was giving me “Stanley elbow” (which I’ve decided is the cousin of tennis elbow, but far more glamorous). My right elbow was constantly sore, like it had been training for a hydration-based triathlon.

So, I finally traded her in for a smaller, equally pretty Owala that doesn’t weigh as much as a toddler. The only downside? I now have to refill it approximately 27 times a day. Hydration is apparently my new part‑time job.

We Need Our Water

But all kidding aside, hydration is essential for everyone. It becomes especially important for women in their 60s. Water is literally life: the Earth is 71% water, and our bodies are about 60–65% water. We’re basically very sophisticated houseplants with emotions. And as we age (gracefully, of course), our bodies get a little less efficient at holding onto that precious H₂O.

Why? A few reasons:

• Our natural sense of thirst fades – rude, honestly.
• Muscle mass decreases, and muscles store a lot of water.
• Kidney function changes.
• Medications like diuretics and laxatives can increase fluid loss.
• Mobility challenges can make getting up for a drink feel like a whole expedition.
• And sometimes we simply eat less, which means we drink less.

So how do we stay hydrated without turning it into a full‑time job? Let’s make it fun – or at least mildly entertaining.

Start with the Water Bottle

Pick one that fits your lifestyle and personality. Something that makes you smile when you grab it. Then keep it filled and keep it handy. Stash a few around the house, in the car, at your desk – like little hydration traps you set for yourself.

And you don’t have to stick to plain water unless you want to. Fill your bottle with something you’ll actually want to sip: flavored water, herbal tea, diluted juice, broth, or milk. If you’re feeling fancy, make fruit‑ or herb‑infused ice cubes. You can also make ice cubes out of coconut water. Or do what I do: fill a pitcher with water, toss in sliced cucumber or citrus, and let it chill until it tastes like a spa day.

You Can Also Eat Your Water

Soups, stews (which are especially cozy this chilly time of year), watermelon, yogurt, oatmeal, Jell‑O – all delicious ways to sneak in hydration without chugging like you’re at a frat party.

If you’re a routine lover like me, hydration habits are easy. If you’re not, don’t worry – this one is low‑maintenance. Take a drink when you wake up. Sip with meals. Have a swig after every bathroom break. Or just keep your bottle with you and sip throughout the day like the classy, well‑hydrated queen you are.

What You Lose and What You Gain

Watch for the sneaky signs of dehydration: dizziness when standing, irritability, dry mouth, or just feeling “off.” Awareness is everything.

And the perks of staying hydrated? Oh, they’re good. More energy. Less fatigue. Happier skin. Better mood and memory. Happier joints. Healthier kidneys. Fewer UTIs. Basically, hydration is the closest thing we have to a legal anti‑aging serum.

So, grab your favorite bottle, slap a sticker on it that proudly proclaims your latest hobby, fill it with something delicious, and drink up. Your future self – glowing, energized, and not dizzy when she stands up – will thank you.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you noticed any signs of dehydration – recent or not so recent? Are you being proactive and drinking enough fluids? What habits have you created around hydration?