In my last ADD Success blog post I shared why drinking enough water is important in managing Attention Deficit. Today let’s talk about how you can remember to drink water if you have ADD / ADHD.

After all, as with most things Attention Deficit, knowing isn’t enough. This isn’t Knowledge Deficit Disorder. The tricky part is translating the knowing into doing.

Thinking we’ll remember to drink water doesn’t work. Just like we often don’t notice when we’re hungry, we don’t notice when we’re thirsty. The ADD / ADHD brain needs reminders.

Though I often recommend reminder systems, having a message pop up to drink some water will become annoying and before long you’ll delete the thing entirely.

In my experience I’ve found ADD / ADHD adults find it easier to remember certain tasks if they think in terms of hooks instead of reminders.

By hooks, I mean attaching – hooking – the behavior or habit you want to another action. A hook is essentially a mini routine that leads you from one activity to another.

How To Remember To Drink Water if you have ADD / ADHD

Hook drinking water like this:

• Refill your coffee cup. Pour a cup of coffee, drink a glass of water
• Get up in the morning – drink a glass of water
• Go to the bathroom – drink a glass of water
• Eat a snack – drink a glass of water
• Walk by a drinking fountain – drink some water

See the pattern?

Of course you need to have a glass near a sink or a water bottle on hand. Remember it has to be easy or your won’t do it if you have ADD / ADHD.

You’ll have more success if you keep it simple.

ADD / ADHD adults can remember to drink water by hooking it to some other activity you are sure to do throughout the day.