Forget to drink water? Keep a glass in sight

Put water where you already look

Keep a glass of water in a spot you naturally glance at, rather than leaving your bottle inside a bag. At your desk, a fixed spot beside your notebook works well: visible and easy to reach, but away from your laptop, sockets and the edge.

1. Fill a clean glass or bottle with fresh water in the morning.
2. Place it where you will spend the next part of your day.
3. Take your bottle when you change locations instead of leaving it behind.
4. Set out a drink with a meal, too.

Why the location matters

The useful change is not a bigger container but a better location. Seeing water and being able to reach it without getting up makes taking a sip easier. Your glass becomes a reminder, not an obligation. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) also recommends keeping a glass of water beside you, drinking with meals and taking a bottle when you go out.

Make the reminder fit your needs

This is not a daily volume target: fluid needs vary from person to person. If you have a medically prescribed fluid restriction, follow that plan rather than trying to empty every glass. Clean your glass and bottle regularly. If the water keeps going unnoticed, try a different visible spot instead of simply putting out more bottles.