Taking a bath is one of the great pleasures in life. That lovely warm water, bubbles, maybe a glass of wine after a long hard day. Bliss. If you haven’t explored the benefits of bath time, you may want to change your tune. Taking a bath has health benefits you may not have realized. Here are 7 reason why you should take a bath tonight.
Reason #7: Can Boost Your Metabolism
This may sound too good to be true, but there's a recent study to back this up by Dr. Steve Faulkner of the Loughborough University. He claims that taking a hot bath for an hour can actually burn calories and boost your metabolism.
"One of the first things that we were looking at," Dr. Faulkner says, "is the energy expenditure while you're in the bath and what we found was an 80% increase in energy expenditure just as a result of sitting in the bath for the course of an hour."
While this doesn't exactly compare to the calories burned by cycling for an hour - about 630 - simply lounging in a hot bath burned 140 calories, the equivalent of a brisk 30-minute walk.
It’s worth a shot, right? So much easier than an hour on the treadmill.
Reason #6: Treats Skin Issues
Serious skin issues, like psoriasis or eczema can benefit from daily bathing. Try adding ingredients to your tub that will help with the symptoms of these skin disorders. Some of those ingredients include soothing oatmeal, milk, or even a honey bath.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Stuart tells us, “Oatmeal contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and as such is ideal for sensitive skin and to treat a variety of skin disorders (i.e sunburns, eczema and poison ivy).”
Similarly, "Raw honey is incredible for your skin thanks to its antibacterial properties and hefty serving of skin-saving antioxidants," according to natural beauty expert Kim Wallace, founder of kimberlyloc.com, "Whether you're looking for an inexpensive DIY solution or a powerful skin treatment, raw honey can help you regain your glow."
Reason #5: Reduces Aches And Pains
Muscle aches and pains, along with joint issues are very common in active people. Reduce some of that discomfort by taking a bath. Add some therapeutic Epsom salts for even more benefits to your muscles.
Try this simple bath recipe to reduce minor aches and sore muscles:
1 cup epsom salts
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup sea salt
1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
Reason #4: Minimizes Dry Skin
Taking a bath with hydrating bath oils can significantly improve dry skin. Have less flakes, itchy skin, and tightness with the right combination of moisturizing oils.
Avocado oil is a great one to to try for a super hydrating bath experience. It provides skin with deep moisture and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E, all nutrients vital to healthy skin. Bonus: oil of avocado penetrates the skin but is also thick enough to serve as a protective barrier.
Reason #3: Helps You Relax
Sometimes our day to day lives are so stressful! There is so much to do that at the end of the day your tension levels are out of control. Soothe those tight shoulders and calm your mind with some well deserved bath time. Take the opportunity to practice deep breathing when you’re in the tub, because this will center and relax you better.
Reason #2: May Let You Sleep Better
A bath before bed can help you drift off to sleep easier. A 1997 New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center study confirms that when you soak in a hot tub, your temperature rises—and the rapid cool-down period immediately afterward relaxes you. Add to this relaxing benefit by including some lavender bath salts or essential oil, which can have a calming effect. You can also sip on some “sleepytime” or chamomile tea to quiet your senses.
Reason #1: Eases Cold Symptoms
Got a raging cold? After having some of your mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup, hop into a hot bath with eucalyptus or ginger.
Ginger helps you sweat out aches from a cold or flu, and clears up chest and nasal congestion. (Note: ginger can cause sensitive skin to react, so test it on your skin first.)
Dr. Josh Axe, a certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist with a passion to help people get healthy by using food as medicine says, "Eucalyptus works as an expectorant and helps cleanse your body of toxins and harmful microorganisms that can make you feel sick." Try adding 15-20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a hot bath then lay back and breathe deep to ease cold symptoms like congestion, stuffy nasal passages, and sinus headaches.
With so many terrific reasons to get into that bath, it’s a wonder everyone doesn’t commit to a bathing regimen everyday. Maybe one of these reasons will let you experience the truly beneficial results a daily bath can bring to your life.