June 30, 2022

Are baths good for your health

Health says you should have one tonight!

After the last two years, you don’t need a reason to make self-care a priority in your life. Whether that’s a weekly mask, facial massage, painting your nails – or taking a bath. Gwyneth Paltrow does it every night and Tom Ford reportedly takes three a day (really), and while that may border on excessive, as the temperatures drop there really is nothing quite like good, long soak. Need more convincing? Here are also some very good health reasons why baths are good for your health.

It soothes your muscles:

The weightlessness of being in water makes everything feel better, but that very same water helps to release muscle tension and encourage blood circulation too. The better circulation helps to pump more nutrients and oxygen around the body making you feel all round healthier, less tight and less sore. Adding some Epsom salts or magnesium flakes can further help to relieve the tension, while lavender is also known to be soothing.

It’s a mindful routine:

A bath is not something you can do quickly – it can’t be rushed. The ritual of it turns the process into a mindful routine that will help quiet the mind and make you feel more present in the moment. Use it as a mental health tool, especially if you find it hard to relax or meditate normally. Just concentrate on the feelings of water washing over your body, and smells around you, inhale, exhale and let your mind be still.

Reduces some symptoms of anxiety:

While we’re talking about mental health, multiple studies have found that taking regular baths can significantly improve your mental health and lower stress, tension anxiety, hostility even some aspects of depression. It comes back to the calming powers of water, the soothing effect that has on your nervous system – and the knock-on effect it has for your entire wellbeing.

It can help with colds:

If you can’t shake that winter sniffle, baths are an excellent way to decongest, especially if you add a couple drops of essential oil to the water. The steam helps loosen chest congestion, and the blood vessels dilate which can help with the nasal congestion and even relieve headaches and other cold symptoms too.

It’s excellent prep for a good night’s sleep:

If you find it hard to wind down before bed, a bath is just the ticket. Aside from relaxing your body, it helps lower your body temperature so it signals to the body that it’s bedtime. This should in turn help you fall asleep quicker too – there have even been studies to prove this!

It’s great for your skin:

One caveat here: don’t make them too hot, as this could actually have the reverse effect and dry out your skin. But if you wanting skin that feels soft and supple, add a couple drops of bath oil (or even body oil) to your tub before you soak. Then, as soon as you’re out dry off and lather with moisturiser while your skin is still damp. Instant smooth.