Wiping that sweat off your brow in the elevator isn't a good look for anyone. But let's face it, it's hot, hot, hot out there.

woman drinking green juice

And August will be no better, in fact, they're predicting temps will reach all-time highs this year. Yikes. No fear, we can beat this heat. Just make sure your hair tie and water bottle are no more than an arm's reach away... at all times. You know the rule: Drink eight cups of water a day. Good old-fashioned, high-quality H2O not your cup of tea? Lucky for you, water isn't the only way to get your hydration fix. Here are five of my favorite ways to stay hydrated on a scorching summer day.

Flavored waters

Everyone knows someone who doesn't like water. Well let's face it, water can get dull, so adding in some herbs or natural flavors spices it up and makes it more palatable. Toss any of the following into your water for a flavorful twist: lemon, mint leaves, cucumber, cayenne, lavender and the list goes on. Bonus: Lemon slices add a squirt of vitamin C, mint aids digestion and cucumber is packed with antioxidants.

Smoothie bites

Who doesn't love a smoothie? This summer go bite sized. All you have to do is blend your favorite fruits together, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray, and freeze them overnight. One of my favorite fruity combos is mango, pineapple and coconut water. Talk about refreshing. Pop them into your water or enjoy as is for a hydrating bite all summer long.

Green juices

Haven't had a green juice yet? Jump on the wagon with the rest of the crowd and see what the hype is all about. Be careful not to confuse green juices with the sugar-laden varieties on many supermarket shelves. A simple combination you can make at home or find at your local juicing joint is parsley, spinach, kale, celery and apple... yum. When you're bored of plain ol' water, swap one glass for a green juice to get the refreshing sip that your body craves. Plus, you can pair it with raw almonds for the perfect afternoon slump snack.

Oatmeal breakfast bowls

Who would have thought that oatmeal was hydrating? Oats soak up all of the water or milk they are cooked in, making them water-rich. Too hot for hot oats? Make a cold oatmeal bowl topped with bananas and berries for breakfast. Just add water to uncooked oats and refrigerate them overnight. In the morning, cut up some fresh fruit and top with a spoonful of almond butter for a deliciously balanced breakfast meal. And for a double-boosting booster, add chia seeds to soak up some more water and satisfy your thirst the nutritious way.

Summer soup

Soup is one of those things that you usually don't want to get near during the summer, but have you ever thought about a cold soup? I promise it tastes much better than it sounds. And it's the perfect summer hydration go-to. Try out a chilled creamy avocado or gazpacho soup. Want to up the water and nutrient content in the gazpacho? Add a bunch of veggies. For avocado soup just blend up cucumber, scallions, avocado and veggie broth... perfecto.

With these simple hydration tricks counting towards your water goal, there is no excuse for falling behind on the 8x8 rule (8 cups of 8 ounces) this summer. While 8x8 is just a standard guideline for water guzzling, it's an easy way to help you stay on the track to hydration success. Remember, August is the hottest month of the year, so it's more important than ever to drink up, kick your feet up, and soak up the summer sun the nutritious way.

Related articles:

Seasonal cocktails that make us want to plant fruit trees

8 Fruits and veggies you should stock up on in the summertime

16 Fresh and fruity sangria recipes

Photo credit: Stock Shop Photography LLC/iStock/ 360/Getty Images