Our 4 Recipes for a Perfect Relaxing Bath
Nothing quite melts the stress away at the end of a long day like a gloriously warm and calming bath. Pressing the pause button and setting time aside to decompress is instrumental to wellness. Few experiences compare to a peaceful soak in the tub. While you embrace this moment’s respite, why not make the most of it by adding a few benefits?
Before or after your soak, why not extend your moment of peace with a massage?
Oat & Lavender Pouches
Oats are an incredible addition to any bath as they soothe dry and itchy skin. Those suffering from eczema, psoriasis, acne, sunburns and even bouts of poison ivy have held this secret close to their heart for years.
However, transforming your bath into a bowl of porridge may not be the most appealing texture-wise. It’s why we suggest putting your oats into a small cotton, organza or mesh bag—or even some type of recipient meant for loose leaf tea.
To add something a little special to your soak, why not add lavender petals? Dried or fresh. Not only does it make your bath fragrant, but it also makes it all the more relaxing. Feel free to sprinkle the buds straight into the tub rather than in the pouch to add a bit of whimsy to your soak.
Green, Black & Herbal Tea Soaks
Transforming your bath into a giant cup of tea is another lovely way to reap further benefits from your soak. We do recommend opting for caffeine–free or herbal teas to avoid any excesses. We all know drinking tea is good for you, but many of us are unaware that it may also be absorbed topically. Adding tea to your bathwater infuses it with benefits for the skin.
All you have to do is add three to five tea bags to a hot bath, let it steep and, once the water is simply warm, soak up the goodness for anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can also brew a strong pot of tea and add it to your bath.
Green Tea
Green tea is the most popular choice when it comes to bath soaks. Packed full of antioxidants, this tea has wonderful anti-aging effects and helps your skin recover from irritants present in daily modern life. Softening and soothing, it also relieves skin from redness and reduces muscle pain.
Chamomile
Often used to lull us to sleep, chamomile holds a similar effect when used in the bath. Relaxing and calming, this antibacterial tea soothes sensitive skin and reduces redness.
Black Tea
Similar to oats, the tannins in tea are incredibly useful when it comes to reducing irritation or itching—they cleanse and close pores and speed up healing. Black tea is also a lovely option when it comes to relaxing aching muscles and reducing inflammation.
Peppermint
With the addition of smelling wonderfully fresh, peppermint tea offers an invigorating cooling sensation to the skin. Akin to eucalyptus, the scent of peppermint is also decongesting, opens the sinuses and helps you feel refreshed. This tea is also calming for irritated or burnt skin.
Calendula
This yellow flower is amongst the most soothing and is often used in herbal medicine. Calendula tea is anti-inflammatory and well known to alleviate skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and incredibly dry skin.
Epsom Salts & Essential Oils
Commonly added to baths to enhance a good soak, Epsom salts are a great source of magnesium which makes the skin smooth and soft. Adding these to your tub is a wonderful way to ease sore muscles and relieve daily tensions and stressors.
Simply add one to two cups of salt to warm water a few minutes before you hop in. Allow yourself to soak for at least 15 minutes to truly benefit from the experience.
To truly get the most out of your bath, we recommend adding a few drops of essential oils. You may choose an essential oil purely for its scent, benefits or both.
In order to add essential oils to your bath, you must first dilute it in a carrier oil—for the bath, coconut or olive oil are great options. A few tablespoons will do. The oil will also serve as a moisturizer.
Coconut Milk Soaks
Stories of Cleopatra bathing in milk have always fascinated the masses. We suggest something slightly different: coconut milk. This vegan alternative offers a plethora of benefits for the skin. The milky quality of the bathwater combined with floating petals makes for a dreamlike soak.
Opt for full-fat coconut milk, which is loaded in vitamins and fatty acids. Moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, brightening and tightening are only a few benefits of coconut milk.
For added benefits and beauty, add flower petals to your bath. If you’re lucky enough, a local florist may sell fresh flower petals. However, dry buds create just as lovely of an effect. Roses are a great option. The sweet-smelling flower is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and oils. The contrast between red petals and milky water makes for a luxurious experience.
Some days all you need is a good soak in the tub surrounded by candles and soft tunes. On others, you might prefer a massage that loosens up all the accumulated tensions of the week. And sometimes, your skin could really use a good pampering. Or course there are days where you need a little extra—a combination of some, or all the above—you deserve a treat.