When it comes to my mornings, I like to take them slow - I'm not a wake-up and run straight-out-the-door type of person, although we all have those days.

As an early to bed and early riser, my alarm is always set to include adequate time for me to enjoy the morning rituals that ultimately set me up for the day ahead.One of the first things I always do, without fail, is take 1-3 cups of warm water.

My father shared this simple yet powerful practice with me - as far back as I can remember, I don't think I ever witnessed him drinking cold or iced water; it was always warm. For him, these weren't just practices but a way of life, enriching the body and mind daily.

Why warm water?

In Ayurveda, regularly taking warm water, especially in the morning, can work on healing our body by providing digestive power and reducing the metabolic waste that could have built up in our immune system.

Warm water is a natural body regulator. Drinking a glass of warm water in the morning can help cleanse your body by flushing out toxins. Warm water helps break down the food in the stomach and keeps the digestive system on track. 

When our body accumulates toxins, it becomes prone to illness and ageing. Warm water helps cleanse the body from those toxins and repairs skin cells, which can increase your skin's elasticity.

Ayurvedic Tips:

– When taking warm water between meals, it can provide effective support in flushing out water-soluble toxins from the dhatus (body tissues).

– Try to leave between 30-45 minutes after meals before drinking water so as not to dampen the digestive processes.

– When drinking, best to avoid taking big gulps. Instead, slowly sip, swallow and breathe. This can prevent the kidneys from being "overloaded" and helps the body retain more H2O overall.