Most of us prefer a nice long soak in the bath than a shower every day, but we are all told not to have baths, as they waste water. However, modern power showers use as much water. So the occasional bath if done right, will do more good than not. Also read how to give your dog a bath, naturally.
A relaxing bath is not just a luxury, it can help to relax people with anxiety, can insomniacs sleep, and also soothe aching muscles. It can also help to improve circulation and also skin health, if oats are used for people with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Creating a Safe Bath Experience
It’s best to avoid slippery bath oils, and use grab bars for people who have difficulty getting in and out of the tub. Use non-slip mats both inside and outside the tub, and consider a bath seat or bench, if needed.
To safely run a bath, run warm water first, then add hot water and test with your hand (a good range is from 36°C (97°F) to 38°C (104°F) which can relax, without overheating. For sensitive skin, babies and older people, go for the lower end, using a thermometer to test.
Just relax in the bath, focusing on deep breathing and gently stretching limbs, to help them relax in the warm water. On exiting the bath, wrap up in a thick organic towel to absorb water, like a ‘comfort hug’ after a warm bath. Make yourself something warm to drink, and go straight to bed!
How to save Water in the Bath
You can’t really. If you have a shallow bath, it’s not worth the effort. You can buy ‘bath water diverters’ that recycle bath water down into the garden. But you have use unscented biodegradable bath products (even sea salt could harm plants), and it’s too fiddly to do for most people.
Instead, just enjoy a nice relaxing bath once or twice a month, or once a week at most. Then shower the other days. That way you get all the relaxing benefits of a bath, to look forward to as the week progresses.
Tips for a Relaxing Bath
Epsom salts (named after the Surrey town) are ideal also for recovery after sport or exercise. They can also encourage sleep, due to magnesium. Just add a few handfuls to your bath water, and soak for at least 20 minutes. You can also add 2 handfuls to a basin of lukewarm water, to soak achy feet for 10 minutes.
Do not use on broken skin. Ask your doctor before using Epsom salts for medical conditions including diabetes, kidney disease, eating disorders and low-magnesium diets.
Sustainability experts say it’s best to avoid dead sea salts, as they are literally from a sea that is dying. Despite the name, the area supports 500 million birds (300 species) who rest during migration and many plants, fish and mammals (including leopards and ibex).
You don’t need candles (a fire hazard) but do dim the lights if you can. If you have a bathroom with a noisy fan, consider leaving the outdoor light on, and turn the light off in the bathroom, so you are not bathing in strong light.
Try silence over music in the bath. Get used to just enjoying a soak for the sake of it. Rather than your phone or other gadgets into the bathroom.
You Don’t Need Aromatherapy Oils
Aromatherapy oils can clog drains and harm marine wildlife (as well as causing slips in the bath). Just hot water and peaceful relaxation will do the trick. If you do choose essential oils, just add a few drops to a full warm bath to dilute, so they safely biodegrade.
Avoid aromatherapy oils (and hibiscus) for pregnancy/nursing or affected medical conditions (asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure).
Choose Biodegradable Bath Products
As well as being better for your skin, biodegradable bath products won’t clog drains or cause algae blooms, when they rinse down drains.
Scence (Cornwall) makes plant-based body balms in compostable cardboard tubes, made with solar energy. Containing oils of coconut, jojoba and geranium, they also contain mango seed butter (don’t use on the face or neck, nor on broken skin or after shaving or waxing, and use within 12 months of purchase. Oils will become liquid at 30 degrees, but will solidify again if cooled. Also in Fresh Cedar.
