In the spring of 2012, I was preparing for the adventure of a lifetime: moving to Jakarta, Indonesia for six months to teach yoga. Around this time, I watched an inspiring TEDx Talk about gratitude. One part stuck with me during my travels abroad: “You turn a faucet, and there is warm and cold water, and drinkable water. A gift that millions and millions will never experience.”

I didn’t realize the power of those words until I lived in Jakarta and, later, Nairobi. In the photo above, I’m heading to the yoga studio in Nairobi with a 5-gallon jug of water strapped to my backpack. You can’t drink the tap water in Nairobi unless you want to spend a considerable amount of time on the toilet. So, every few days, I would transport clean, filtered water from the yoga studio back to my apartment. If you live in a hot climate and teach hot yoga, water becomes the focal point of your life. Simply having enough clean water to drink, to wash veggies, and to brush my teeth required planning and patience.

Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to make sure that you’re hydrated for your favorite summertime activities. How much water do you need to drink each day? A good rule of thumb is to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. For example, a 150-pound person should consume 75 ounces of water per day. But you will need to drink more if you exercise regularly, if you live in a dry climate like Denver.

Don’t like drinking that much water? Here are 5 reasons to drink it anyway:

1. Boosts your energy––Your afternoon slump could be due to dehydration, not fatigue. Instead of reaching for caffeine, reach for a glass a water. And start your day with a glass of water before your morning cup of coffee.
2. Speeds up your metabolism––Another sign of dehydration is hunger. Before you dive into Taco Tuesday, chug a glass of water. You may eat less, and the water will speed up your metabolism.
3. Manages stress––Our brains are made of 70-80% water. A well-hydrated brain can help you manage daily stresses.
4. Gives you vibrant skin––Staying hydrated helps your skin maintain its shape by keeping your cells nourished and flushing out toxins.
5. Keeps you regular––Water helps your digestive system to eliminate waste and to keep you regular.

During my self-care trainings, I talk about practicing mindfulness when you wash your hands or drink a glass of water: feel the temperature of the water, smell the soap, be grateful that you have running water. The next time that you’re on the go go go and want to run run run away, take a sip of the world’s healthiest beverage and be grateful.

Pro tip: My water filter of choice is Aquasana. Take a drink of water now!