marleysmama

Hi! I've completed day 6...the longest ever for me! I'm still super-exhausted and I know waking up all throughout the night isn't helping.

I'm having a hard time hydrating. I am normally terrible at it so it's a real challenge. Plain water (even flavored with cucumbers and other fruits/veggies) doesn't do it for me. I am drinking hot tea and some gatorade here and there.

Does anyone have any suggestions on more fun/interesting drinks you've used to stay hydrated?

THANK YOU!!

doggonecarl

I drink a lot of seltzer water. I like the bubbles.

Derringer

Herbal teas have dozens of flavors these days, my favorites are licorice, blood orange and berry combos.

Water with lemon or lime juice

A cup of soup is pretty good too in the colder months

Noam19

Great job! Keep it up.

jr67

I'm on Day 49 and still noticing the need to consciously hydrate, so keep it up.

I have drunk more herbal tea in these past 7 weeks than the total in my life before 2 January 2020. Yesterday I went to a local tea store for the first time, to see what kind of variety they have. Answer: Many, many to choose from, including traditional (caffeinated) teas and herbal teas, many combinations of spices and flavors. If you live in a relatively densely populated area you can probably find a tea store nearby, or of course there is the internet for home delivery.

I've also been trying chai and learning that each cafe has a different blend, it seems (most too sweet for my taste as I am generally not a sweet-drink kind of guy, unless it is specifically something that is by definition sweet like a hot chocolate), but I have found one or two cafes whose versions I like.

I also have "discovered" ginger tea. You can buy it as a tea, or for a large (and probably cheaper) batch of tea that can be reheated as needed (or you can drink it cold), just take, say, an inch of average-thickness ginger root, slice into thin slivers, bring to the boil in about a quart of water, and let simmer for a while. If not strong enough, add more ginger. If too strong, add more water.

I went through a celery-juice phase on the recommendation of a friend of a friend (lasted about a week), but it did not suit my taste as a regular indulgence.

I've been drinking more lattes and large coffees, too, but I'm not sure they actually help hydrate, because caffeine is a diuretic (right?). Still, I like the flavor and the kick (but I need to stop by 4 p.m. or earlier or it will affect my sleep). I'm drinking "dirty" chais, too (chai with a shot or two of espresso).

At a bar or a house party where I might formerly have had a manhattan or a martini I like a mocktail made with about one-third grapefruit juice and two-thirds (diet, non-alcoholic) ginger beer, and (if going fancy) minced mint adds some zest. (Though the point is well taken that for some newly sober folks (or more long-term folks, too, I suppose), it might be dicey to imitate alcohol-infused drinks with lookalikes and taste-alikes, as it could lower one's resistance to returning to the version made with alcohol; so beware.)

Mostly, I am happy to report, I have noticed in my newfound sobriety that *all* food and drink is tasting better to me, and I am noticing and appreciating textures and nuances of flavor more sensitively than before. That has been one of the unexpected (by me) pleasures of this sobriety.

Congrats on Day 6 , marleysmama, and good luck with keeping on board the sobertrain.

HeadEast

Coffee and tea are good idea. If you go into a grocery store, back where they sell Gatorade they will have a bunch of flavored drinks.

thomas11

my protocol was pedialyte if I was really wrecked, otherwise Gatorade and water.

ThatWasTheOldMe

If you have anxiety or even light withdrawal symptoms, too much caffeine probably isn't great since it's a diuretic and a stimulant.

PeaceManic

I like tomato juice, although it can be too salty for some.

Helianthus

I drink a lot of diet tonic water with ice and lemon or American Clear (Clear American?) have some really nice flavors l like the pineapple and coconut. Or water enhancers Mio make a nice blueberry lemonade.

Good luck you're doing brilliantly!

AtomicBlue

I drank a ton of La Croix during the first months of my sobriety. I think part of it was as a replacement for drinking beer all the time. I’ve tried all types of stuff and now I’m into juicing. So many more options in the world than alcohol!

marleysmama

Thank you! I just read about ginger tea and ginger beer yesterday too and I love ginger. Also Vitamin water. I'm going to keep on with the tea, I'm the tea queen now. And try out some of your recommendations.

I'm super dizzy today and I know from past, that's dehydration.

Bonniefloyd

Houndheart

Seltzer with plenty of ice in a tall glass. Add a splash of pineapple juice and squeeze about a quarter of a lime in. A quick stir. It is soooo refreshing!

Houndheart

And. Congrats on day six.

Also, I found that eating watermelon was good for rehydrating and to give some energy.
Or a nice bowl of cubed up watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew is good too.

psilyguy

Distilled water with Himalayan Salt and O2 Drops. You feel it run through your veins after about 5 minutes.

marleysmama

Thanks, everyone! And psilyguy, I have never heard of O2 drops...what do they do for you? Thanks! MM