HEALTH|PSYCHOLOGY
How Does Soaking In A Tub Have So Many Health Benefits?!
Something that actually feels amazing AND has at least 10 positive effects on our health and well-being
I am a huge fan of taking long bubble baths, always have been and probably always will.
Even though the host of this Airbnb turned out to have some serious issues, the experience of bathing in this extraordinary bathroom with this bathtub and view, made the whole fiasco more tolerable.
It was a big, fat slice of heaven on earth during a particularly stressful time.
It’s been almost a year since I’ve been able to take a nice, long, relaxing, and rejuvenating soak in a hot bathtub, which is why I’ve decided to look into the health benefits- to be reminded of just how wonderful a thing this is to do!
Without further ado…
First of all, soaking outdoors in a natural hot spring is my top choice, which was one of the things I was looking forward to doing the MOST during my 2-week stay in Iceland 4 years ago.
It did NOT disappoint!
Iceland has an incredible amount of indoor and outdoor geothermally heated “pools” (some are very small, like a hot tub).
However, since I won’t be going to any place like that any time soon, I will happily make do with my own, private bathroom, which feels a bit luxurious, considering some apartments don’t come with nice bathtubs.
I mean, it’s not like this….
But I’m content.
For those who might be on the fence about taking beneficial soaks in warm to hot baths, check out these excerpts, and maybe even read the following articles in their entirety.
Here are two of my favorite reasons for taking baths:
Take care of your blood and immunity with a bath
Not only does a warm bath make the blood flow easier, it also makes it more oxygenated by allowing you to breathe deeper and slower, particularly when taking in steam. Taking a hot bath or spa can kill bacteria and improve immunity. It can relieve the symptoms of cold and flu.
Your brain and nervous system can benefit from bathing
Submergence in water can reduce pain and inflammation and also calm the nervous system, reducing the levels of stress and anxiety in the body and improving your mood. Hydrotherapy can help people who suffer from multiple sclerosis as the temperature and pressure of the water gently relieves the spine of pain and discomfort.
One more excellent article to check out if you’re still not convinced…
“Taking baths has great physical and mental health benefits,” says family medicine provider Amy Zack, MD. “One benefit is cleanliness. Bathing cleans your skin, helping you avoid irritation, inflammation and sores caused by dead skin cell accumulation. The bacterial and fungal load from contact in your environment can also accumulate, increasing the risk of infection.”
1. Warm baths improve mental and emotional health
Candlelight, soothing music and sweet smells: Done right, a bath can be the ultimate in self-care.
“Baths help many people sleep well,” notes Dr. Zack. “They also create a good environment for meditation, thought and escape from everyday stressors.”
Some research also shows that a 30-minute bath at 104 Fahrenheit (think the temperature in a hot tub) improves depression. Warm baths are also linked to decreases in stress hormones and more balanced serotonin levels, which help regulate mood.
Enough writing about it, it’s time for me to go soak…(I hope that you do too)
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