Soaking your tort at least twice a week is HIGHLY recommended. Soaking in lukewarm water has never stressed any tort I've had. Including new imports. A lot of them do not drink from dishes in their enclosure, so the soaking is doubly important. Can you post a pic of your tort? Face shot would be great.

Misting the sand/dirt with a spray bottle is fine. Just keep it damp to help with burrowing. Not wet. Russians also like to hide in hay so you can add a little pile on one side.