This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 18, 2021 - October 24, 2021

Malaysia has been experiencing a bout of hot and humid weather, with a sprinkling of rain here and there. The best way to beat the heat is to have constant water intake. But during a busy day at work, it is easy to forget to take even a sip of water. Here are some apps and gadgets that can help remind you.

This device can be attached to your bottle or mug to monitor your drinking habits as well as remind you to take sips of water at least twice an hour. The device measures your drinking pattern based on movement, bottle tilting and light sensors that detect when you pick it up for a drink and blinks when you aren’t keeping up with your drinking goals. As this tool doesn’t rely on sound alerts, it is a good device to have in the office. It retails at US$30 (RM125) on www.ulla.io.

If you are looking for a way to accurately track your water intake, this smart bottle may suit your needs. The Bluetooth-enabled water bottle pairs with your mobile phone to accurately track your drinking habits. To remind you to take a sip, the whole bottle glows to attract your attention. If you have a history of misplacing your bottle, the app has a bottle tracking feature. It retails at US$59.95 (RM250) on hidratespark.com.

If the taste of water is unappealing to you, try infusing it with fruits and vegetables. A quick search online will show which fruits and vegetables pair well together. Some combinations have detoxing qualities, not only keeping you hydrated but healthy as well. A variety of infuser water bottles are available in the market and a quick search online shows that there are some bottles that are able to accommodate tea leaves as well. These types of bottles are available on e-commerce websites for as low as RM20, depending on their size and features.

This cute and interactive app has gamified and incentivised water-drinking habits. Every time you drink a cup of water, your plant will be watered in-app and grow. The app will also send you constant reminders to drink water to keep your plant “watered” to keep it alive (and you, hydrated). The app suggests appropriate amounts of water based on an individual’s body data and exercise habits. Available on both Android and Apple iOS, the app can be downloaded from the company’s website, https://plantnanny.app.

This is a foolproof, fuss-free reminder app that sounds an alert on your phone to remind you to have a drink. The frequency of the alerts depends on your daily goal. Your liquid intake can be logged in directly from the notifications bar, eliminating the hassle of opening the app. The app also lets you choose the kind of drink you are having, from non-alcoholic drinks like bubble tea and sodas to alcoholic beverages. The app is available for download on the Google Play Store and the App Store.

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