Don’t let the fear of dry, flaky skin – or a harried schedule – keep you from enjoying the benefits of a warm bath. It’s a great stress reducer, promotes better sleep, can improve your sex life and is a simple way to nurture your self. I like to bathe at least twice a week in the winter. Indulging in this simple self-care ritual nourishes the body, mind and spirit.
To get the most out of your bath:
Add 2 cups Epsom Salts (magnesium and sulfate). These minerals are great for your nervous system (which your body does absorb during the bath), and they pull toxins from the body. Soaking in Epsom salts also increases circulation and relieves sore muscles. One of the best, and certainly most esoteric benefits of the bath is that it clears your energy field. Salts are used in many cleansing rituals. This is important for people who do body work, are in the mental health field or just spend a lot of time in crowded places!
Add ½ cup baking soda too. Now it sounds like we are baking a cake, but just like many other low-cost, readily available everyday items, baking soda is a work horse. In the bath, it softens the skin and contributes to the detoxification process.
Then, 3-6 drops of your favorite essential oil. I love to use Peace & Calming, Lavender or Sage. Try Eucalyptus to clear the nose. I only use Young Living Essential Oils as they are the most high-quality and pure oils on the market. Add the oils directly to the baking soda and mix it up before adding it to the running water.
To counteract the drying effect of soaking in water, don’t stay in for more than 20-30 minutes and massage your skin with sesame or almond oil when you get out, before you dry off.
Light some candles, set a timer fo
r 20 minutes, put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, play some relaxing music or bathe in silence. Set an intention to be at peace with yourself and the world. This time you give to yourself is a gift to everyone in your life.
So how can taking a bath change the world? Everyone and everything is connected. The best way, in fact the only way, to create peace in the world is to create peace within yourself. Whatever you see out in the world that you don’t like, see if you can sort it out within yourself…and taking a bath sorts out plenty.
