The Self-Care Benefits of Bath and Body Products.
Self-care has never been more important. Returning to the office and dealing with the ever-changing world has us all feeling in a head spin. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of self-care. It’s often the smallest things that make the biggest impact on our day. Did you know that having a bath is one of the best ways to relax and rejuvenate your consciousness? Incorporating bath and body products into your day can be the secret to your self-care routine.
We’re looking at the self-care benefits of using bath and body products, including our favourite product recommendations. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to sip into a hot bath and give your body the TLC it deserves.
- The healing effects of having a bath
The belief in the healing effects of water dates back to ancient cultures. Going to a sento is an age-old Japanese tradition that is meant to cleanse your body and soothe the mind. For generations, this practice included public baths. Fast-forward to today, and most modern Japanese homes have a ‘furo’ – a private bath for the same purpose.
Soaking in hot water causes your skin to release endorphins, just like when you’re lounging in the sun. It helps your blood circulation and can improve your breathing by increasing your oxygen intake and the capacity of your lungs.
Incorporating an hour-long hot bath into your routine can help reduce your risk of a heart attack, lower your blood pressure, and improve blood sugar control. Best of all – it can even help burn over 140 calories. That’s the same number of calories you’ll burn in a 30-minute walk.
- Bathing can help with pain reduction
When you’re stressed, the first place you’ll usually notice it is in your muscles. Stress causes our muscles to contract. A hot bath can help loosen your muscles and lessen the tension in your body. As you stretch and move in the bath, it acts like a low-impact workout for your muscles.
It’s not just physical pain that you can treat with a hot bath. People who suffer from chronic illnesses may incorporate hot baths into their routine to bring them comfort and relieve the depression that can come from such conditions.
You can pamper yourself with the Style & Grace Signature Gift Set, which comes with bath salts. Adding in bath salts can help boost the therapeutic effects of a hot bath for both your mind and body. You typically want to add the bath salts to the water while running warm water for the best results.
- Using your bath for aromatherapy
One reason why baths are a popular form of self-care is for aromatherapy. If your work is making you want to pull out your hair, it’s time to soak in the bath. You can boost the mindfulness properties of a bath by adding aromatics. Having a bath at the end of the day can boost your productivity and clear your mind for the next day.
Some of the most popular scents to add to your bath include lavender, a naturally soothing scent that can help you drift off to sleep. A product like a lavender bath and shower gel can help incorporate the scent into your bath ritual.
Lemon is another scent to look out for as it can help you feel more energetic and reduce anxiety and depression. We love to add the Yardley lemon soap as an easy way to incorporate the scent into your body care routine.
Candles are another aspect that can add aromatherapy properties to your bath time. The low glow of a candle can help you relax and unwind. It creates an ambience and can help you fall into a restful sleep after your bath. Candles can help stimulate your memory and improve your mood, boosting the therapeutic properties of your bath.
Candles are the perfect splurge purchase for yourself or a loved one. The Acqua di Parma gift set is made up of Mediterranean inspired scents that will transport you to a tropical paradise.
- Create an at-home spa experience
We’re all guilty of rushing through our skincare routine. It should be a relaxing experience that is a twice-a-day opportunity to look after our skin. Most of us rush through it in five minutes before rushing out the door to work or falling asleep. If you’re planning on soaking in the tub for 30 minutes (or even an hour!), you have time to unwind with your skincare routine.
You can create an at-home spa experience by lighting a few candles, adding bath oils, and indulging in a facial treatment. The Shiseido purifying face mask will detoxify your skin, getting rid of impurities and dead skin cells that clog your pores.
You can also give your hair a little TLC. While you’re waiting on your facial treatment to finish, you can add in a L’Oreal hair mask to boost the vibrancy of your hair colour to leave it hydrated and protected.
- The secret to a good night’s sleep
Are you someone who tosses and turns every night? Are you finally asleep when the alarm clock starts to ring? We all want to find a way to guarantee that we get a good night sleep. One of the secrets to getting a full eight hours of sleep is to have a bath to relax and unwind.
A hot bath can act as a natural sleeping aid as it raises your body’s temperature. You can get a similar effect with a shower, but a bath gives you all the extra benefits above. As your body is working to lower its temperature, it drops your heart rate, making you feel like you want to fall asleep.
The perfect time to have a bath is 30 minutes to an hour before you’re heading to bed. Grab your current book, relax in the bath and get ready for a full night’s sleep.
Are you someone who incorporates a bath into your self-care routine? Let us know in the comments below! You can explore our full bath and body range here.
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