Are you someone who draws a warm bath as a way to relax, or does it just sound like a lot of effort?
While it is necessary to wash up for our own hygiene, we can shift our mindset to truly enjoy the bath, and we’re not just talking about lighting candles here. You can use bath time as a way to improve your physical and mental wellness!
So many people find relaxation in the heat, scents, and steam; but there are more ways for you to enhance the experience, and yes, we do mean experience. It’ll make more sense once you’ve read all our tips!
#1: Make Bath Time Part of Your Schedule
When you plan ahead for your bath and write it down on a schedule, you’re creating time to get excited about it! Gather your favourite ideas from this list and write them down, too. Then you can look forward to your luxurious bath all day and when the time comes, you feel like you’ve earned it a little.
#2: Set the Scene With Music
We all have a few favourite albums that we’ve listened to on repeat. Whether you have it on a CD, record, or playlist on your phone, turn it up so you can hear it from the bathroom. If you bring music into the room with you, make sure your device is far enough away from the tub so it doesn’t fall in.
#3: Consider Meditation
Meditation is a way to focus your mind on the present. If you’re not familiar with the process, it may sound boring, but there are several styles of meditation that can be used in this scenario. The best part is that you can play a guided meditation from your phone! Try searching YouTube or using apps like Headspace or Calm.
Perhaps the most relatable style is a body scan meditation. It usually starts with a focus on breathing slowly and purposefully, then moves into a scan of the whole body. The goal is to focus heavily on one area of the body at a time, so why not wash the area while you’re at it?
Another style is visualization, which really gets your imagination going. Having said this, you always want to be careful of your safety when bathing. Of course, you don’t want to fall asleep; if you’ve never tried meditation you may find that it can be easy to drift off. It’s a good idea to try the guided meditation beforehand so you know what effect it will have on you.
#4: Explore Lavish Bath Products
There is a wealth of products that can add a dramatic flair to the air. Bath oils can rejuvenate your skin, improve circulation, fight bacterial and viral infections, and soften your skin. Then there’s bubble bath, bath salts, and bath bombs, too! Check out your local pharmacy or farmers market to see what’s out there.
#5: Learn About Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy works through our sense of smell and our skin’s ability to absorb. While we mentioned the benefits of bath oils above, it’s important to note that not all essential oils can be added to bath water because of their contents.
Other ways to benefit from aromatherapy include using diffusers, spritzers, and even masks. Adding a diffuser to your bath routine can create a calming atmosphere.
The ancient practice has been said to manage pain, improve sleep, reduce stress, and soothe joints (among other benefits).
#6: Look Into Bathtub Options
Depending on your situation, there are many ways to tailor your tub specifically for you. If your mobility is not as great as it used to be, a walk-in tub or conversion kit can be extremely helpful (and much safer).
Now let’s look into the fun stuff. There are add-ins like heated water jets, warm air massage, micro bubbles, chromatherapy, aromatherapy, cushions, and a heated seat. Imagine having a water jet in your own bathtub?!
#7: Prepare a Fluffy Bathrobe and Towel
Once you’ve fully relaxed and enjoyed your soak, unfortunately it does have to end. But don’t let that get you down! Have your favourite towel handy to dry off and then wrap yourself in a fluffy, heavy bathrobe.
Whether you already love taking a bath or would like to make it more enjoyable, there are many ways to bring relaxation into the process. Set a time to begin, put on music or a guided meditation, learn about aromatherapy, explore products and options, and most importantly: always know where your towel is.
