Hydration is the key to life. Or at least that’s what I learned in my sixth-grade class musical “Water is Life.” Take a flashback trip with me: It’s 2008, and I think crimped hair is cool. (Note: it never was.) But I guess I did learn through some catchy tunes that on a planet made mostly of water populated by people made mostly of water, water is life.

Drinking water has so many health benefits from better skin to feeling fuller and more energetic. However, I have a hard time staying hydrated. I’m not sure why, but I just don’t drink that much water during the day. When I was in high school, I would go a full school day without drinking anything. I know. That’s really unhealthy, but I didn’t realize it at the time. I promised myself that when I reached college, I would at least attempt to be healthier.

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Photo courtesy of Plant Nanny app

Due to a rave review from a Buzzfeed article, I downloaded Plant Nanny on my phone. This app, created by Fourdesire, is available for Apple and Android users. It was released in 2013, but I’m a little behind app-wise. The basic premise of Plant Nanny is to remind you to drink water daily by using a plant analogy.

In order to keep the plant alive and grow it to adulthood, you have to water it by inputting your water consumption throughout the day. The app calculates how much water you should drink using your weight and activity level and reminds you to drink water regularly. If you don’t drink enough water, your plant dies like mine did several times.

This app is a fun way to keep hydrated. You get to choose what plants to grow and watch your plant become an adult. When I first downloaded it, I used it every day for a few months, and I even got several friends hooked on it too. Even though I didn’t stick with it for the rest of my life, this app made me more conscious of my water intake.

I am more hydrated than ever before, and my body is thanking me for it. Everyone should drink more water. After all, as People’s 2016 World’s Most Beautiful Woman Jennifer Aniston said, “I drink water endlessly.” And it’s obviously working for her.

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GIF courtesy of giphy.com