Want to know if you're hydrated? Check your urine.

Experts say a quick urine check could be the most effective DIY way to tell how hydrated you are. Simply look at the color of your urine. If it's pale yellow, you're hydrated. If it's a darker yellow, it's time for a glass of water (or two).

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that men drink 15.5 cups of water a day, and women drink 11.5 cups a day. But this is just a guideline.

How much water you need depends on a number of factors, such as what you eat and the way you move your body. Adequate hydration can even change based on climate and what the weather's like on any given day.

But figuring out how hydrated you are is only a part of the hydration equation. Upping your water intake takes practice — and consistency.