Benefits
Recipes
Practicing Mindfulness
Since ancient times, cultures worldwide have recognized the healing power of baths. The Ancient Greeks were pioneers in using water to enhance physical and mental health. They bathed in sulfurous hot springs to alleviate muscle pain and soothe skin irritations. Renowned philosophers like Plato and Hippocrates even wrote about the benefits of bathing.
The Romans also embraced bathing as a key part of their health routines, turning it into a social activity. They constructed massive public baths where hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people would gather. These public baths were known as Sanus per Aquam or SPA, which some experts believe is the origin of the term “spa.”
In the early 1900s, people flocked to Lithia Springs, Georgia, to soak in a hot spring rich in lithium, a trace mineral known for boosting mood, relieving stress, and enhancing libido. Today, soaking in mineral hot springs remains a popular health and wellness activity worldwide.
Fortunately, you don’t need to travel to Greece, Rome, or Lithia Springs to enjoy a mineral bath. You can create your own “hot spring” at home with just a tub of hot water, some mineral salts, and a few minutes of your time.
Let’s explore the health benefits of baths and simple ways to incorporate bathing into your self-care routine.
Health Benefits of Bathing
Many people seek out hot springs, spas, and other therapeutic bath experiences for good reason. Whether you enjoy baths for relaxation or as a brief escape from a busy day, bathing offers numerous health benefits. Here are some of them:
Soothes Sore Muscles & Joints
If your muscles and joints are sore, a bath can help relax them. While a plain hot bath is effective, adding two cups of Epsom salt can enhance the benefits. Epsom salt contains magnesium (specifically magnesium sulfate), which is crucial for muscle contractions.
Low magnesium levels can lead to tense muscles, cramps, and reduced efficiency. This is why experts, especially in sports medicine, recommend Epsom salt baths for tight or sore muscles. They not only soothe muscles and joints but also reduce inflammation.
Writer and fitness enthusiast Alex F. discovered the muscle-relaxing benefits of Epsom salt when an occupational therapist recommended it for her mysterious back pain. “The doctor found that one of my ribs had slipped out of place, likely during a workout,” Alex explains. “She suggested an Epsom salt bath to relax my muscles and help the rib gently move back into place.” After following this advice, her back pain vanished.
Reduces Stress
For Kimbra P., a busy mom from Madison, WI, the bathtub is a sanctuary. “Even though there’s so much love in our house, it can be overwhelming,” she says. “When I’m soaking in a warm bath, anxious thoughts stay away because it’s the one place of complete calm and quiet in a house full of kids and animals.”
The relaxing effects of bathing are well-documented. Bathing improves circulation after a long day, especially if you’ve been sedentary. People who bathed daily for 10 minutes reported less stress and anxiety after just two weeks compared to those who showered instead. A hot soak also helps regulate the nervous system and lower blood pressure.
Improves Sleep
If your mind races when you go to bed, a bath before bedtime can help you unwind. The drowsiness you feel after soaking in warm water helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Adding Epsom salt can further relieve muscle tension, promoting better sleep.
Pairing your bath with an herbal supplement like Global Healing’s Organic Valerian Raw Herbal Extract, known for its sleep-inducing properties, can help you drift into slumber without feeling groggy the next day.
Transform Your Tub Into A Healing Hot Spring
If you think you’re too busy for a healing bath, think again. One of the best aspects of soaking for well-being is that it doesn’t require much time. With just 15 to 20 minutes in the tub, you can reap the benefits. While bath bombs are trendy, they often contain artificial colors and chemicals. Instead, try making your own bath salts.
In no time, you can create DIY bath salts that will elevate your bath experience from ordinary to spa-like.
Recipe: Relaxing Mineral Bath Salts
This recipe not only detoxifies your skin with Bentonite clay but also adds minerals that your skin absorbs. Bentonite clay contains calcium, iron, silica, magnesium, and other minerals. Epsom salt, as mentioned, contains magnesium that soothes sore muscles and joints. This mineral bath salts recipe is perfect for unwinding after a stressful day or a post-workout soak.
Equipment:
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Wide-mouthed glass jar
Ingredients:
2 cups Epsom salt (unscented)
2 cups Celtic gray sea salt
2 cups Bentonite clay
4 tablespoons aluminum-free baking soda
20 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Epsom salt, Celtic salt, Bentonite clay, and baking soda.
Add lavender oil and stir well.
Transfer the mixture to a wide-mouthed glass jar and seal tightly.
To use, add two cups of bath salts to running bath water and allow them to dissolve. Climb into the tub and relax!
Rinse off excess minerals in a shower or with clean water after soaking.
Recipe: Decongestant Bath Salts
If you’re experiencing congestion or body aches due to illness, this recipe may provide relief. It features sinus-clearing essential oils like eucalyptus and rosemary.
Equipment:
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Wide-mouthed glass jar
Ingredients:
2 cups Epsom salt
? cup baking soda
3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Epsom salt and baking soda.
Add eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils and stir well to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a wide-mouthed glass jar and seal tightly.
To use, add a handful of bath salts to running water and allow them to dissolve. Climb into the tub and breathe deeply as you bathe.
Create a Mindfulness Bathing Ritual
Taking a bath is an excellent way to practice mindfulness, clearing your mind of worries and fears. Think of your bath as a form of meditation. Instead of fretting about your to-do list or stressing about the world, focus on the sensations you’re experiencing. Feel the hot water against your skin, listen to the sound of the faucet dripping, close your eyes, and inhale the fragrant steam rising from the water. Using bath time to practice being present can calm your racing mind while relaxing your body.
Points to Remember
Since ancient times, people have relied on bathing to enhance their well-being. Taking a bath offers health benefits like easing muscle tension, reducing stress, and improving sleep. With little time and a few simple ingredients, you can transform your tub into a healing hot spring. You can also use bathing as an opportunity to practice mindfulness, clearing your mind and soaking your cares away. Consider making baths a part of your self-care routine to soothe yourself, body and soul.
