Daily intake of water and stretching is so important and includes a wide range of benefits, from skin to digestive health. Any suggestions for how to up your daily water intake and include stretching throughout the day?

Hydration and having a stretch routine to release tension is so important. I like to lead with intention. It’s important to understand the “why”—the purpose behind anything you want to incorporate into your daily routine. When you create a clear intention, it goes deeper than just a habit; it becomes a meaningful practice that you can consistently maintain.

As for proper hydration, I start every morning with a full glass of water. It’s the first thing I do when getting out of bed. I also always have a water bottle with me at all times and balance water intake with electrolytes. I keep my daily liquids to pretty much water, coffee, or tea because I feel my best this way. If you find plain water dull, infuse it with fruits and herbs like lemon, orange, cucumber, strawberry, mint, or electrolytes for some flavor.

I also make it a point to stretch every morning. I’ll roll out a mat and do 10-20 minutes of a stretch routine at the start of my day, and I love the way I feel after, which keeps my routine going. I feel less tense, more open, more awake. I take small stretch breaks throughout the day to release tension in my upper body and hips, especially if I’ve been sitting at my desk.

When building a daily routine, it helps to think in bite-sized chunks. Rather than forcing a daily 60-minute practice from the start, start small and build. I started with a 2-5-minute morning stretch routine and I’ve built it up over time because I love how I feel afterward. We all lead busy lives, but busy doesn’t have to get in the way of what’s truly important to you.