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I Drank 3.78 Liters of Water Daily for 30 Days — Here’s What Happened
4 things happened in 4 weeks
Water is the meaning of life.
It’s often said that staying hydrated is the simplest way to take care of our health, but do we really give it the attention it deserves?
Last year, I jumped on a 30-day journey to drink 3.78 liters (1 gallon) of water daily to see what it would do to my body and mind.
Here’s a detailed account of what I experienced during this experiment.
Why 3.78 Liters of Water?
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the recommended daily water intake is:
- 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men.
- 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women.
Despite these guidelines, most people struggle to drink even close to the recommended.
For me, this challenge wasn’t just about hydration — it was about building a habit that could improve my physical and mental health in the long run.
Getting Started
To keep myself on track, I invested in a 1-gallon motivational water bottle.
It had measurements and motivational quotes like:
“Keep going”
and
“Almost there,”
Which were helpful visual cues throughout the day.
Week 1: The Struggle Begins
The first week was a rollercoaster.
Drinking so much water was harder than I thought.
- Physical Effects: I felt like I spent most of my time in the restroom, and nighttime waking up in the middle of deep sleep was particularly challenging.
- Mental Effects: I kept reminding myself that more urination was a sign my kidneys were being flushed and cleansed.
- Hydration Goal: I barely managed 3 liters for the first few days but reached the full gallon by day 7. Yeah, it's not an easy task.
