Bathing, Showering And Spa For De-stressing

To think of bathing and showering solely in terms of cleansing the body is to ignore the many ways in which this daily ritual can enhance your well-being. Bathing offers a multitude of benefits. It can be a therapeutic, sensual calming, invigorating or uplifting experience. Using water to cleanse, relax or invigorate couldn’t be easier and more effective. Bathing rituals are centuries old where water was used to purify; Cleopetra was believed to have bathed in donkey’s milk (which would have skin softening properties but wouldn’t have smelled great), Egyptians used bathing before prayer, while the Greeks used cold showers as a fortifying technique. Ancient and current Japanese bathing rituals are used to bond man and nature. Believe it or not, there is an optimum bathing temperature: 45 degrees C / 112 Degree F (for young children it is 38 degrees C / 100 degree F), but how warm or cool you like your soak is a personal choice. However, experts warn against having your bath water too hot as this can lead to blood vessel damage and overheating, and those with high blood pressure should avoid very hot baths.

Bathing can be an intensely therapeutic experience rather than just a cleaning opportunity, so treat it as just that: a chance to release stress and relax. Find time when you are not likely to be disturbed, light scented candles, pick up your favorite book or put on some relaxing music. Use bathing time to treat yourself to beneficial beauty treatments such as a face mask or a body scrub. Water is wonderful for soothing the muscles, easing joint stiffness and helping to reduce aches and pains. Because bathing is such a comfortable experience, it is also good for inner well-being; the feeling of warmth and relaxation helps us to feel nurtured and secure. Using water to soothe your mood can be helped by adding essential oils, bubble baths, herbs or salts to the water. If you choose to bathe at bedtime, adding a few drops of lavender essential oil can help to aid sleep and relaxation, as can chamomile and jasmine. Essential oils are thought by practitioners of aromatherapy to have healing effects. In addition to affecting specific organs, essential oils act upon the limbic part of the brain (its most primitive area, which is concerned with emotions). The mental and emotional influence is determined by the oil you choose, so ensure you read the label before adding to your bath. Herbs, which are often used to make essential oils, can have a similarly soothing effect.

They can contain complex substances, including essential vitamins, minerals and oils. Adding herbs to you bath is a gentler, less concentrated way of using herbs than eating or drinking them, but can be equally therapeutic. When you add herbs to your bath, they have a two-fold effect. They are absorbed by your skin – carrying their active ingredients – but you acquire an added benefit from breathing in their calming vapours. A hardy few are prepared to go for the ultimate in skin toning and invigorating water experiences – the cold bath! Don’t, however, do this if you feel under the weather or have any medical contradictions. A cold bath is purely to awaken and revive, and while cold water does have skin toning effects, there are more comfortable ways to do this, such as investing in a good toning lotion! Develop bathtime rituals that guarantee you the full benefits of bathing. Find out how to exfoliate, and what are the most suitable products to use. Discover which bath products are best for your skin, and spend time in the bath to give your hair a transforming treatment. Counter the drying effect of the water with a moisturising body lotion. Take rough skin on areas such as your hands and feet to keep them in perfect condition. Simple techniques, such as scrubbing or brushing your skin before you jump into the bath or shower, not only feel good but are immensely beneficial. Regular exfoliation helps remove dead particles, leaving the skin softer and smoother. The friction also boosts circulation and unclogs blocked pores, so that skin looks fresher. A wide range of exfoliation equipment is available, from loofahs, brushes and gloves to creams and gels. The act of exfoliation can be very therapeutic, and will help you to look and feel invigorated and fresh.