5 Reasons You Should Take a Bath18
Posted on February 24,
2014 by The Alternative Daily
“There must be quite a few things that a
hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”
― Sylvia Plath
― Sylvia Plath
Since time immemorial, bathing in water
has been equated with good mental and physical health. In the third century,
bathing establishments were all the rage.
The ancient Greeks and
Romans erected expensive and well-appointed bathhouses where they could not
only conduct business, but also gather with friends, eat and drink. To them,
bathing was social as well as therapeutic.
Some public bath emporiums were so
elaborate that they even contained art galleries, meditation and prayer rooms,
and lecture halls. The average public bathhouse could hold as many as 6,000
bathers at one time. The wealthy would bring along servants who would run
errands and tend to their every need while they were in the bath.
Social festivities and
physical fitness training were also common, and many a weary soldier found
respite and healing in bath waters after a long stint in battle. These baths
also employed some of the best healers.
To the Romans, bathing
was for health, while the Greeks believed that full immersion into the water
was only appropriate for women on an ‘anytime’ basis. For ancient Greek men,
bathing was something done to cleanse one’s self and relax after a day at work,
or before taking part in battle, conducting business or participating in a
philosophical discussion.
Roman bathers might have
been attended by as many as seven healers at one time, who would address
different areas of the body during the bath. Some healers applied herbs, others
oils, some gems etc. In fact, the services of these healers were often sought
out before those of local physicians.
Bathhouses were not
confined to Europe and the Mediterranean, and many other cultures, including
the ancient Turks and Japanese, developed hot baths that were highly ornate and
expensive with gold, silver and brass fixtures and artistic carpets and
tapestries.
Spread
of disease
Public bathhouses were
only trendy for a short period of time in history, as plagues, epidemics and
diseases spread quickly via water. Because early viaducts carrying the water
were made of lead, they were also highly toxic.
Some people even became
sterile or impotent because of the poisoning. Many stopped going to bathhouses,
and soon they were closed altogether once the connection was made between them
and the spread of disease.
Dirt
was good but water was better
Bathing in Europe became
less popular in the late 16th century, and at one point it was believed that
dirt was protection from germs. When this belief caught on, the body was
covered by layers of cosmetics, hair by wigs, and perfumes were used to hide
body odor.
In the early 1800′s,
when so many people died from the plagues in England, water regained its
acceptance and was found to be not the cause of illness but rather part of the
cure. The English put a great deal of time and money into the development of
bathroom technology.
Once water was
accessible, many healing therapies were used to treat and prevent diseases such
as typhoid. Bathing was back in, and going to baths loaded with Epsom salts and
minerals became a well respected and therapeutic approach to wellness. Spas
sprouted up all over Europe as hydrotherapy, and thermal healing gained steam;
it was even taught in medical schools.
Through the ages, water
has been used for hygiene, socialization and healing. Today, spas, saunas,
Jacuzzis, hot spring baths, sulphur baths, mineral baths and even water births
are well accepted.
However, you don’t have
to save up for a trip to a famous spa or visit a hot spring in order to reap
all of the amazing benefits bathing has to offer. Making the time to enjoy a
warm bath at home could be one of the best things you do for yourself – even if
it is only once a week! Here are five reasons to start enjoying a bath today:
Improve
sleep
If you are like millions
of other Americans who struggle to get enough shut-eye, a warm bath may be all
you need. Bathing before bedtime raises body temperature, which, once you are
out of the bath, begins to cool. This signals your body that it is time to
rest, and you will gradually start to feel sleepy.
For an even more
relaxing bath, add a few drops of lavender essential oil diluted in a carrier
oil, or organic bath bubbles. Lavender has been proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol,
so add a few drops to the water, rest your head on a bath pillow, close your
eyes and dim the lights. Just don’t forget to go to bed!
Reduce
pain
Hydrotherapy is a highly
successful treatment modality used to reduce pain. A warm, not overly hot, bath
is a great way to relax muscles and promote healing. It appears as though
adding some Dead Sea salt to warm bathwater can be extremely beneficial to
arthritis sufferers in particular. Research out of Manchester University found that the cells in
persons who suffer from arthritis expand, but that salt water reduces these
cells by dehydrating them.
Other research has found
that Dead Sea bath treatments help combat symptoms of osteoarthritis, and recent reports show that
it is also an effective option for people with joint conditions. You can also add Epsom salts
to your bath, which will reduce inflammation and help reduce muscle soreness.
If you suffer from back
pain, bring a tennis ball with you into the bath and place it between the sore
spots and the wall or bottom of the tub. Gently roll back and forth to break
down tension spots.
Note: If you happen to have a jetted tub, this will have
additional therapeutic benefits for sore muscles and achy joints.
Soothe
dry skin
Oatmeal not only makes a
fabulous breakfast cereal, it is also a fabulous skin softener. Oatmeal is a
skin protectant that provides a buffer against irritants, and reduces the
itchiness and pain associated with common skin conditions.
Known in folk medicine
as a great way to ease the itch of poison ivy, an oatmeal bath can also help
soften and moisturize dry skin and reduce the pain of sunburn.
Because it contains anti-inflammatory properties,
oatmeal soothes the swelling that results from skin conditions such as
psoriasis or eczema. Oatmeal baths protect the skin, locking in moisture,
balancing pH and providing a barrier against external irritants.
Natural compounds found
in oatmeal known as saponins make oatmeal and effective cleanser by absorbing
dirt, oil and odor. You can even add a little extra virgin olive oil to the
bath to really boost its moisturizing impact.
To take a soothing
oatmeal bath, use colloidal oatmeal that will not sink to the bottom of the tub
but remain suspended in the bathwater. Run warm water into your tub and add the
oatmeal as the water runs.
Ensure that the oatmeal
is well mixed with the water, and soak for about 15 minutes in the bath. Pat
your skin dry with a towel – do not rub, it causes irritation. To soothe itchy
or irritated skin, take up to three oatmeal baths daily.
Boost
brainpower
Research indicates that
soaking in a warm bath with clary sage oil can not only promote overall
relaxation but also boost brainpower. The
therapeutic use of sage has been known for centuries, and has been used
traditionally as a massage oil or as a tea. Other benefits of sage include mood
improvement, muscle relaxation, blood pressure reduction, anxiety relief and
digestive aid.
To sharpen your
cognitive functioning, place 7 drops of the oil in a carrier oil such as sweet
almond oil, and put the mixture in your warm bath. Soak in the bath for twenty
minutes or so to sharpen your mental state. This is particularly effective if
you are experiencing writer’s block, are in a creative slump or have to make a
big decision and need clear thinking.
Decrease
stress
Probably one of the best
known side effects of a warm bath is the way it reduces overall tension in the
body and mind. One way to really reduce stress is to take what is known as a
meditation bath. In a meditation bath, you can add calming essential oils such
as lavender, sandalwood, German chamomile or sweet marjoram.
Focus on the warmth of
the water, the aroma of the oil and the sensation of buoyancy that the water
provides. Stay focused in the present, pushing any thoughts of the past or
future aside. Continue this for about 10 -15 minutes as you enjoy the overall
relaxation of the bath and meditation session.
Bathing
tips
§ Use only non-toxic cleaners on your bath
§ Use a filter on your tub so that your water does not contain
harmful chemicals
§ Do not bathe in extremely hot temperatures – always test the
water before getting in
§ Always blot your skin after a bath – do not rub
§ For added moisture – apply a thin layer of extra virgin
organic coconut oil to your skin after your bath
§ Use an inflatable pillow to rest your neck while in the bath
§ Apply an organic facial mask while you soak
§ Keep a beverage handy while you bathe – a glass of lemon
water or cup of tea is a nice addition to a relaxing bath
§ Never reuse or share bathwater
§ Always test your skin for sensitivity before adding essential
oils to your bath
Happy
Bathing!
-The Alternative Daily
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