Baths aren’t the most eco-friendly thing in the world, but when used sparingly, they are a godsend. Feeling overworked, anxious, stressed… or even sick? Taking a bath can be an economic and therapeutic fix. There are a few ingredients that can make a bubble bath positively blissful, as it should be… and the great part is that how you mix and match is totally up to you and your mood.
- Epsom Salts
Benefits: draw out toxins; increase magnesium in the body which leads to a boost in serotonin, elevating your mood
How to use: add 1-2 cups to your warm bath. Sea salt is a decent alternative. - Bubble Bath
Benefits: depends on the kind you choose, but most will soothe and soften your skin
How to use: I always add it to the bath as it’s running, right near the faucet so that the bubbles foam up immediately and I can gauge how much I want. Shower gel can be a good alternative, though it might not foam up as much. Pamper yourself! I just splurged on this the other day: It was amazing. I’m definitely on a budget, so I usually just grab my liquid shower soap and use that, but this proved that it is definitely worth it. - Temperature
Benefits: depending on how hot you make it, warm temperatures are soothing while hot temperatures are detoxifying
How to use: this sounds like an inane detail but it can actually make or break the experience. It really falls to personal preference- do you want a loooong, relaxing time to read a book? Then keep the temperature on the warm-hot side. A shorter, detoxifying experience? Make the bath super hot (but not scalding- think a hot jacuzzi; you don’t want to burn yourself!) and sweat it out for 15-20 minutes or so. - Essential Oils
Benefits: Here are some of my favorites:
lavender: lowers heart rate and blood pressure for anti-anxiety; helps insomnia; soothes inflamed skin
eucalyptus: decongestant; soothing for sore throat and cough; soothes muscle pain; rejuvenating and de-stresser
jasmine: anti-depressant; relieves muscle spasm (including coughing); de-stresser.
rose: anti-depressant; soothes coughing and muscle pain
bergamot: anti-anxiety; relieves soreness
patchouli: anti-anxiety; antidepressant; soothes skin; helps fluid retention
There are soooo many more. I almost want to do a post with a more complete guide… maybe I will eventually. Just have fun experimenting and even do a little research on what the benefits might be.
How to use: mix and match your favorites- most will compliment each other pretty well, as long as you keep it to two or three, tops. Just add a couple of drops of each to the bath as its running. Use sparingly- essential oils are expensive, and they’re strong. You don’t want to feel high from the fumes! - Ambiance
Light some scented candles, dim the lights, pour yourself a glass of wine, have a few magazines or a good book at the ready, and turn on some Bon Iver. Oh, and for the love of God, turn off your phone. - And extras
Do whatever you want! I like to smother my hair in coconut oil and pile it on top of my head to soak. I also have this amazing lemon sugar scrub that I rub all over my legs to slough off dead skin and it makes them soooo smooth. Whatever floats your boat.
Happy relaxing!