From Roman baths to Turkish hammams, bathing has always been a popular way to unwind and de-stress. It doesn’t take a doctor to tell you that a hot soothing bath will increase your skin temperature, help dilate blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to the skin, making you feel good. Now, the latest research shows that taking hot baths has benefits similar to exercise.
According to a study done in 2017 comparing moderate cycling to soaking in a hot bath 104°F for an hour, it was found that bathing caused the body to burn about 140 calories – about the same as a half-hour walk. Furthermore, peak blood sugar immediately after eating was about 10% lower in the bathing participants. There was also evidence that bathing may contribute to reducing chronic inflammation.
Two more studies – one from Finland and another one from University of Oregon – suggest that passive heating can reduce the risk of heart attack and lower blood pressure. No wonder we have gotten addicted to taking baths at the time when most people are getting rid of bathtubs! Call us counter-culture, but we were also putting on so much sunblock that the face looks pasty white (that opens up another whole area of discussion regarding how much sunblock should be applied to get the proper SPF so please watch for a future blog on that) when people were still crazy about getting sun-tanned without protection :)
Alright, back to topic. Now that you know the benefits of bathing. What’s the proper way to bathe ?
A relaxing bath
Prepare your bathtub with water at a suitable and pleasant temperature, ideally not above 104°F. Regarding how long to soak, we find that the body naturally tells us when a good time to get out is. We often do not set a clock and realize that 20-25 minutes have passed when we towel off.
A bath for muscle soreness
Slowly sprinkle 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard-sized bathtub under the water spout while drawing the bath to ensure the salt dissolves completely. Soak in the bath for at least 15 minutes to allow the muscles to relax.
The breath as an introduction
Just close your eyes to focus your attention on your breathing, relaxing your body and mind. You can start with three deep breaths of inhaling and exhaling, then breathe normally. If you have special meditation breathing technique, feel free to incorporate it into the beginning of your bath to help you settle you mind.
Play…
Choose your favorite music, the one that makes you smile. Music always plays a fundamental role when it comes to reducing the body's level of anxiety. Create a playlist with relaxing music ahead of time and just press play when you get into the bathtub.
A pillow, s'il vous plaît
Two practical tricks to make your bath even more relaxing: use a bath pillow to rest your neck or, failing that, a small towel rolled up or folded. This will help in body alignment and relaxation.
To rest your gaze
We suggest placing slices of cucumber on your eyes. The cooling effect of the cucumber helps relax your eyes. In case you don’t have cucumber around, you can also use two cotton discs soaked in ice water as an alternative.
Essence of vineyards
Playing with smells can make your experience more sensorial. Try our Chardonnay Antioxidant Bubble Bath and treat yourself to some well-deserved pampering. Take advantage of the antioxidant and skin-soothing benefits derived from our silky nutrient-rich Bubble Bath that rejuvenates both the body and soul.
A glass of wine
Finally, if you are a wine lover, why not have a very small glass (or plastic glass because of safety concern) of your favorite wine to round off the bath experience ? Be careful not to overindulge with alcohol though while sitting in a hot bath.
Daily Ritual
Try to repeat this ritual on a daily basis. We expect you will find your body to be happier and mood elevated, but would love to hear from you regarding what your expereience is. We invite you share with us your stories below.
Say hello to life and enjoy the little moments.
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