There are two types of people in this world, those that like baths and those that like baths. That’s it. There is no other option. Those that say they’re just not bath people simply aren’t doing ‘em right. What other reason could there possibly be for a human to dislike submerging themselves in warm water until their body relaxes so much it wrinkles with joy? Sometimes, it even lets out a little squeak it’s so happy.
The key is the ambience. From lighting your bath right to scenting it with aromatherapy oils, it’s all in the prep.
Here’s how to take your bath experience from lukewarm to Chandler Bing levels of bubbly greatness.
Ambient mood lighting
Let’s face it, a bath without candles is just a disappointing hole in your house with water in it. Let the gentle flicker of candlelight calm your mind and set the mood for your bath experience. This is your time to switch off mentally and physically. So hit the glaring overhead lights and enjoy the soft glow of candles instead.
Choose your intentions
Tune into your emotional wellness – what do you want to get out of this down time? You might want to read a couple of chapters of your book, watch an episode of Grey’s Anatomy uninterrupted or, you might want to dedicate this time to the ritual of just having a bath & practising mindfulness. Set some intentions, leave your phone outside and use this time to unwind however you fancy.
Aromatherapy Assistance
Scent is a powerful thing so we caught up with Christina Salcedas, the director of wellbeing for Aromatherapy Associates to see how they create their blends and why fragrance is so important…
“We create all of our blends from nature’s therapeutic palette, each oil playing a key and active role. We often go against the principles of traditional fragrance rules of top, middle and base notes, instead crafting a blend that really works on our entire body. From the lulling aromas of Vetivert, Camomile and Sandalwood in our Deep Relax blend, readying your mind and body for sleep, to the clarifying scents of Petitgrain and Frankincense in our De-Stress blend to clear your mind and focus your thoughts, remember to listen to your body and trust your innate instincts to take care of your wellbeing.”
How can you feel the benefits of aromatherapy oils other than adding them to your bath?
“I like to take a capful of the oil and rub it over my shoulders, torso and the base of my back before sinking into a hot bath. I cup my hands to my face and inhale deeply a few times. If you’ve been feeling anxious or stressed, taking time to relax in the bath with these anxiety-soothing essential oils can really help you slow down your thoughts, refocus the mind and leave you feeling calm & still.”
What oil would you recommend for people going through a difficult time in the current climate?
“If you’re feeling nervous about returning back to Society, or if you’re currently facing a challenging time in your life, our Inner Strength blend is like a ‘hug in a bottle’. Blended with anxiety-soothing Clary Sage, emotion-grounding Sandalwood and the purest Geranium to help balance scattered thoughts & emotions, leaving you feeling more confident, comforted and reassured.”
Get comfortable
Craning your neck in the bath doesn’t exactly scream zen. Roll up a towel to prop up your neck whilst you’re laying back or recline with a bath cushion to support your head whilst you read or catch up on your favourite series.
Create a relaxing playlist
If you struggle to switch off when you’re having a soak, a relaxing playlist will ease you into a state of calm. The dulcet tones of Norah Jones, Bon Iver, John Legend, Katie Melua and Corrine Bailey Rae will soon wash your worries & cares down the plug hole. See ya, neg energy!
Get the temperature just right
Do the elbow test – if the water’s too hot it will strip your skin of all your essential oils which can lead to skin irritation, so it’s best for your bathwater to be warm rather than uncomfortably hot. Just like baby bear’s porridge, it should be just right.
Add in some bath salts
To recreate the spa ambience from home and turn an average bath into a 10/10 soak, add in a cup of muscle-soothing bath salts.
Here’s how to make your own home blend!
You will need:
1 cup of Epsom bath salts – make sure they are the well-sourced type (100% natural)
½ cup course sea salt
5 – 10 drops of essential oils – lavender, citrus & eucalyptus all work really nicely
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup of dried lavender or rose petals
Mini mason jars / glass jars with lids for storage
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, breaking up any big clumps. Decant your bath salts into mini mason jars and pour ¼ – ½ jar into your bath when you’re ready to use. They also make blooming lovely gifts.
Use this time to pamper yourself
Envelop yourself in warm bubbles, apply your favourite cleansing mask and exfoliate your bod’ top to toe. This is where a bath caddy comes in very handy, so your glass of wine (ahem, priorities) and all your favourite pamper products are within reach. No one wants to be slipping in and out of the tub for laughs.
Embrace the bath time mindset
What happens when you get out the bath is just as important as what you do in there, so before you go rushing around catching up with the group messages you’ve missed in that sacred 20 minutes you’ve been separated from your phone, focus on extending that bath mindset right up until bedtime. Stay off your phone if you can (all the blue light can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms), climb into a fluffy bath robe or something comfortable and make yourself a cup of herbal tea.
Shop our bathtime favourites
Wallowing in the tub certainly makes the case for staying in! How do you create your perfect bath ritual? We’d love to hear your hacks!
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