“There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”― Sylvia Plath

To me, taking a hot bath is a sacred and blissful ritual. I imagine shedding the layers like a snake who sheds her skin for growth and renewal as I undress. Next, I prepare my magical and Blissful Hot Bath potions (mixing salts with essential oils that my nose fancies) and pick a playlist to listen to. As I inhale the aroma and turn the lights off, my mind begins to soften and let go. As I immerse myself into the tub, the hot water feels like a mother’s hug. My bones are soaked with love. The music caresses each cell in my body. When I feel warm, I turn my timer on for the contrast shower. I dance and shake under the cold shower as water melts my body free, my mind becomes quiet, and my spirit free. So, why should you take a bath? 

Why Should You Take A Bath?

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Mainly, it just feels delicious! Secondly, based on this study, hot water immersion can improve heart health similarly to what is typically observed with exercise. Identical to the sauna, hot water immersion for eight weeks reduced arterial stiffness and thickness and decreased blood pressure. Add cold to it for a bonus – you would get the benefits of the contract showers, shaking, and all other meditation aspects that bath offers. 

5 Effortless Steps on How to Take Heartwarming & Blissful Hot Bath

Additional Tools: timer, waterproof speaker, notepad, and a pen.

1) Allocate a minimum of 20 minutes to ideally 30 to 40 minutes.  Remember, your hot bath is your meditation practice. Start with slow, deliberate breathing as soon as you enter your bathroom. Make a ritual out of it, light a candle or two. Then, as you shed your clothing, slowly inhale and exhale through the nose for the count of five. 

2) Create a playlist with intentional music that makes your heart sing.

3) Test the waters with a thermometer. I like my bath super hot at about between 109 to 115 degrees. With hot immersion, it is easy to take a cold shower. But I recommend you test it out and figure out your ideal temperature. 

4) Mix two cups of Epsom Salt into your bath. Or, dissolve Magnesium Flakes (these are slightly pricey but more potent) in hot water and mix them well before adding them to the bath. You can also add some essential oils and dry rose petals for a little more love.  Another option is to mix a tablespoon of ground ginger with hot water before pouring it into your bathtub.

5) In the bath, turn your bath time into Heartwarming & Blissful Hot Bath. When your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breathing. Or listen to music paying attention to the sounds. The cold-water contrast shower will bring your attention to your body. I like to stay in the hot bath for about 5 to 10 minutes and switch to a cold shower (about 50 degrees). I use the timer: get up under the shower for 40 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of hot water immersion. Repeat five times (the timer is super handy).  I use more upbeat music for cold as I shake and dance away my worries with a beat. 

I love to follow my bath with dry-brushing, light stretching, and body rolling. But, if you’d like more, please consider our brand new SOFLY 3-day Reboot Program.