Taking a bath is just a simple luxury and also such a lost art. Bathing rituals have been around for centuries. The Egyptians were amongst the first civilizations to embrace the therapeutic values of warm or hot baths. They even took a step further and added essential oils, milks and flowers to beautify their baths. Yup, you could say they basically invented aromatherapy. Then of course there is the Queen of beauty and baths. Cleopatra who is rumored to have bathed several times a day in milk, honey and a variety of oils and flowers to ensure she had the most beautiful skin.
As children most of us had a nightly bath time ritual that included bubbles, splashing, maybe some bath toys and lots of laughter. It was a special time to bond with our parents or siblings. It was part of a nighttime routine that prepared both our bodies and minds for a restful night.
Somewhere along the road to adulthood and a faster-paced life, we traded baths for showers. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a nice long hot shower in the evening or a brisk one in the morning to get the body flowing, but they don't come close to a nice steamy bath.
We live a high-stress, fast paced, everything now kind of world and wonder why our bodies and minds are tense and exhausted all the time. The antidote is to slow down a bit and return to those simple little pleasures and luxuries that made our lives a little sweeter and a little more relaxed. Like warm relaxing baths.
Return to the bath by starting a bathing ritual. Creating a sacred time and space for yourself while immersing your body in water can be very relaxing and healing. Baths give you a wonderful combination of isolation, quiet, and comfort. I try to carve out at least two days a week for my baths. Usually mid-week and then Sundays. I like Sunday baths as they help me wind down my weekend and prepare for the week ahead with calmness and relaxation.
Bathing rituals don't need to be limited to evenings. A morning bath can be an unexpected little indulgence and luxury to start your day or a mid-day or afternoon bath as a treat. The bathtub is your oyster, mix it up and have fun.
Benefits of Bathing Rituals
The act of a bath ritual offers an oasis of calm away from everyday life. It pulls you out of your routine and distractions and gives you permission to slow down and hit pause. Baths are good for your mind, body, and soul, offering self-care and solitude.
Soothes sore muscles and joints. A warm bath filled with Epson salts, bath salts, magnesium and an array of essential oils can help release tension in your muscles and joints. Floating in warm water can also help ease body tension.
Quiets the mind. Submerging your whole body in water helps the mind to relax. Don't bring the phone in the tub with you and start scrolling through social media.
Improves skin. Soaking a bath filled with minerals, milk, salts and essentials oils can soothe irritated skin, soften and tone your skin.
Helps you sleep. A calming bath can help you relax ahead of bedtime. If sleep is something you struggle with a bath may help your drift off and improve the quality of your sleep.
Creating the Perfect Bath
Create a relaxing ambiance. Make sure your bathroom is tidy and clean. Too much clutter will make you feel anxious or worse yet like you have to clean your house. Switch off the lights and light some candles, this creates a soothing spa like atmosphere. Try to avoid harsh bright lights as much as possible at night as they interfere with our natural sleep rhythm.
The right temperature. While a steaming hot bath may be appealing, its not good for your skin or our heart. Warm baths are much more calming and you will want to linger in the bath a little longer. Experiment to find that sweet spot for your bath water temperature.
Invest in a bath pillow. An inexpensive investment for a more relaxing and comfortable bath. Your neck and shoulders will thank you.
The Bath Essentials. You will want to add some bath salts or tub teas to your bath depending on skin or body needs.
Mineral Soaks - Epson salts, sea salts and minerals for sore muscles and joints. Try our purposefully crafted Blue Drift bath soak with therapeutic blends of salts and botanicals to soothe sore and tired muscles and relax the tension in your body. Cambrian Blue Clay naturally tints the sea salts and adds a slight hue of blue to your bath water allowing you to just drift awhile.
Himalayan and Sea Salts - packed with natural mineral, restores pH balance on the skin, calms and soothes irritation. Manifest serenity and tranquility with our Pink Light Bath Elixir. Formulated with Coconut milk and Honey to soothe and smooth the skin, a trio of salts for cleansing and detoxifying the skin and a delightful serene scent to relax the body and mind.
Things to Do While in the Bath
Now that you created the perfect bath, here are a few things you can do while you soak.
Breathe. As you slip into the tub, breathe. Relax, take some deep breaths and focus on your breathing for a few minutes. This helps to calm the mind.
Just Be. Just lay in the tub and let your mind drift as you relax in stillness.
Listen to Music or Audible Books. Listen to some relaxing music, ocean waves, nature sounds or whatever your groove is to get you in a relaxed state of mind. I switch between music and Audible books. Makes for great story time in the bath, reminds me of bed time stories.
Enjoy a beverage. What's a bath without a glass of wine, champagne or a cocktail? But it’s also important to stay hydrated while soaking in a bath -so, bring along some water too. Try some infused cucumber or lemon-thyme water for that spa feeling. If you are taking a bath later at night and looking for better sleep, best to skip the alcohol and opt for a cup of herbal tea. Alcohol disrupts our sleep rhythm.
Read a Book. While you soak in the tub is a perfect time to read. Either on your favorite reader or an actual book. Just remember to still keep the lights down low.
How long to Soak. To fully allow the bath salts to be beneficial it's recommended to soak for at least 20 minutes and no more than an hour. If your fingers and toes start looking like prunes, its time to get out.
Enjoy the bath. There really is no wrong way to take a bath. The most important part is to nourish your body, mind and soul. Forget about the day, what's left on the to-do list and tomorrow. Give yourself permission to do nothing and just be for a little bit. Enjoy your bath ritual. Its a wonderful way to help you unwind, relax and hopefully enjoy or restful night's sleep.
I hope you enjoyed this piece and found some new ways to create a bathing ritual. I'd love to hear about your favorite bathing experience in the comments below.