It’s no secret that a hot bath at night is settling, relaxing and can help to wash off these stressful days . New research has found that taking a hot bath twice a week may also help to relieve symptoms of depression, even more than physical exercise and there’s nothing better than finding out something delicious or pleasurable is actually good for you. We are living in the age of bathfluence. Long soaks in the tub have never been more popular—or documented— and for good reason and now during quarantine more than ever!
The best news is luxuriating in a long, hot bath actually has medicinal benefits. (So, make sure in at least one bathroom you have a tub!)
- Baths Can Elevate Your Mood
Obviously settling into warm water feels good, but that pleasure happens to have staying power. Bathing induces feelings of comfort and easiness, and that kind of security allows your mind, and subsequently your body, to relax.
- They Can Help You Sleep Better
At night our body temperatures naturally drop, which signals the production of melatonin—or the sleeping hormone. Soaking in a warm bath will raise your body temperature, and exiting will more rapidly cool it down, thus instigating the production of melatonin, and better preparing you for sleep.
- A Hot Bath Can Help Relieve Muscle Pain
Heat will get your blood moving, which is not only great for circulation but can also help sore or tight muscles to relax. The addition of epsom salts in your warm bath has been proven to help reduce inflammation in your joints caused by arthritis or other muscular diseases. The anti-inflammatory properties of salt baths have also shown to have positive effects on people suffering from metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
- Baths Can Make Your Heart Healthy
Taking a regular warm bath can help reduce blood pressure, according to some research. This is significant because reduced blood pressure can help in preventing more serious heart conditions, like heart attack or stroke. By using heat to induce better blood flow and circulation, you’re giving your a body a mini-workout. Which brings me to say…
- They Burn Calories
Sure, a soak is no match for water aerobics or active hydrotherapy, but a good sweat induced by a hot bath can burn as many calories as taking a walk.
- Baths Can Relieve Cold And Flu Symptoms
Steam from a hot bath works wonders for stuffy noses and bad coughs. A temperate bath can also help your immune system to better fight off viruses. And it will also help with THIS Corona virus!
- Baths Can Soothe Irritated Skin
While boiling baths can make your skin more irritated, a warm bath—in combination with certain essential oils, like coconut, olive, or lavender, can better hydrate and heal dry or irritated skin. What’s more, aromatherapy is great for regulating your mood or reducing stress.
How To Draw The Ultimate Healing Bath
The water temperature shouldn’t too far exceed your own body temperature. While a hot bath feels great, a warm bath is better for your skin and immune system. Add oils like rose, lavender, calendula, aloe, oil, or coconut and also oatmeal for your skin. Epsom salt is great for your muscles and reducing any chances of infection. Keep part of your body, like your face, out of the water to prevent over-heating. Soak for 10-15 minutes, breathe, relax.
