10 Benefits of Bathing
Soaking in a warm bath is a beautiful way to unwind after a long day. Bathing has long been recognised as an act of self-care across different cultures and times, from Ancient Roman baths to Turkish hammams and Japanese onsens. If you need any more of an excuse to start running a bath right now, they also boast some health benefits. Read on below for 10 reasons to incorporate bathing into your regular wellness routine.
1. ENCOURAGES BETTER SLEEP
Lighting a candle, dimming the lights and hopping into a warm bath before bed is a luxurious way to signal to your mind that it's time for sleep. Bathing helps to lower your core temperature, which triggers your circadian rhythms and aids in getting a more restful sleep.
2. REDUCES ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
Soaking in water mimics some of the same feelings we get from a hug, releasing feel-good endorphins throughout the body. Baths help to calm down the central nervous system, stimulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, which boost contentment.
3. SOOTHES SORE MUSCLES
Baths can ease muscle tightness and tension. Warm water causes our blood vessels to expand, increasing the delivery of blood flow, nutrients and oxygen to the muscles. Adding a few scoops of epsom salts into your bath takes this even further.
4. SOFTENS THE SKIN
Submerging in warm water softens the skin, reducing rough and dry patches. Once you step out of the bath, apply our BODY MOISTURISER while the skin is still slightly damp to lock in hydration.
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5. ALLEVIATES COLD & FLU SYMPTOMS
Warm water and steam from a bath can help to open the airways, allowing you to breathe better. If you're feeling a little under the weather, baths can also loosen blocked mucus from the nasal passages.
6. IMPROVES OXYGEN INTAKE
Submerging in water above your chest may help to improve oxygen intake to your lungs, supporting your lung capacity.
7. INCREASES CIRCULATION
The heat of a warm bath ensures that oxygen and blood flows optimally throughout the body, allowing for proper organ functioning, increased energy levels, mental clarity and even better digestion.
8. CLEARS UP CONGESTION
Warm water gently encourages the pores to open, clearing out dirt, debris, dead skin and acne-causing bacteria. If you're experiencing BODY ACNE, try using our BODY POLISH to delicately exfoliate the skin next time you're in the bath.
9. SUPPORTS FLEXIBILITY
Increased blood circulation resulting from bathing can improve the elasticity of the body's connective tissues. It also relaxes the muscles, which makes them more malleable and primed for stretching.
10. DECREASES RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
The high temperatures of a warm bath cause the blood vessels to dilate, lowering blood pressure. Frequently soaking in a warm bath has been associated with a lower risk of both heart attack and strokes.
Photography by Nadia Fairfax for LUI