The best day to recover after gardening or a hard day at the office and prepare for a great day ahead is a relaxing bath. Any other time in history, a warm bath in the comfort of your own home would have been out of reach. Privacy, comfort, and luxury are all part of a relaxing bath. Along with other self-care methods like making time for exercise, a nice relaxing bath has long been a go-to for unwinding.

Keep reading to learn how to have a relaxing bath – you can treat yourself every day if you want.

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How to have a relaxing bath?

We all lead busy, stressful lives. If you want to decompress, nothing works better than a relaxing bath. The good news is that you don’t have to go to an expensive spa to have a relaxing bath and achieve momentary bliss. You can have a luxurious bath experience in the comfort of your own home, and on your own terms, without spending a fortune.

A relaxing bath begins with the right ambiance.

A relaxing bath starts with the right ambiance. But how do you create a stress-free ambiance for a relaxing bath? Organize a calming and minimalistic ambiance in your bathroom. After all, your bathroom is the most idyllic room in your home. For the perfect ambiance, light a few candles and place them around the bathtub.

Scented candles are a popular extra touch to make baths more soothing and calming.

What scents can help you relax while taking a bath?

  • Chamomile is a popular bath-boosting ingredient. It calms the body in a natural way, invites restful sleep, and induces deep relaxation.
  • Cinnamon scent is perfect for fighting mental fatigue and enhancing focus and concentration.
  • The calming properties of lavender help control emotional stress. It also has a soothing effect on the nerves. Lavender can relieve depression and nervous tension as well as treat migraines and headaches.
  • Rosemary is wonderfully effective with morning baths when many of us need a little help getting going. It has stimulating properties that battle mental fatigue, headaches, and exhaustion. Rosemary is used topically to relieve muscular aches.
  • Lemon has cleansing and calming properties that work well when you are anxious, angry, or just exhausted. Because lemon has antibacterial and antiviral properties, it can help fight colds and sore throats by boosting your immune system and improving circulation.
  • Jasmine scent is also great for calming nerves. Because of its uplifting capabilities, Jasmin is also used as an anti-depressant.
  • Peppermint is a great energy booster. It stimulates concentration,  promotes thinking, and invigorates the mind.

What to add to bath water to relax?

Relaxing baths are not just ideal on cold winter days: they also bring about an abundance of skin and health benefits. So if you want to know what to add to the water for a relaxing bath and soften your skin and lift your mood, look no further. We’ve put together a list of the best ingredients to add to your bath.

What essential oils are good for a relaxing bath?

You can have a body massage with essential oils, or you can add them to your bathwater. A few drops of essential oils can take your bath from good to GLORIOUS. Essential oils are known for their muscle-relaxing, stress-relieving, and soothing powers. For best results and to avoid oil to adhere to your skin, combine essential oils with a carrier oil first. The carrier oil help disperse the essential oil, and you won’t have it sit on top of the water for the duration of your bath.

You can use any of the following carrier oils for your bath:

Five to ten drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil is enough to create a therapeutic and aromatic bath. Stir the bath to help mix the oils with the water.

Avoid using essential oils known to irritate the skin such as clove, oregano, cinnamon, spearmint, savory, wintergreen, and thyme in the bath. Lavender, rose, and chamomile are skin-loving essential oils.

To prevent the essential oils from escape the bath, only them after you ran the bathwater. Only add the essential oils after you filled the bathtub with water. Expect a slippery tub after you’ve added essential oils. Be careful getting in and out of the bathtub, and clean it after you are finished with your bath to prevent falls.

Use the following cocktails of essential oils to take your bath to the next level:

  • Relax your muscles – 2 drops of lavender, 3 drops of sweet marjoram, 3 drops of lemongrass
  • Clear your sinuses – 4 drops of peppermint and 4 drops of eucalyptus
  • Stimulate your mood – 3 drops of rosemary, 1 drop of thyme linalool, 4 drops of lemon
  • Unwind your mind – 3 drops of chamomile, 3 drops of bergamot, 4 drops of lavender, 3 drops of frankincense

What is the best bath salt for relaxation?

Your luxurious spa-like bath experience would be incomplete without some good stuff to soak. Skin-loving bath salts have long been used for both their mental and physical benefits. Bath salts are the best way to take a bath from basic to a blissful spa-like experience.  Many bath salts are made from various types of sea salt or Epsom salt, rich in minerals that can soothe sore muscles and detoxify your skin.

There is a wide selection of bath products to buy, but you can easily create your own stuff and save big bucks. Bath salts are crystals that dissolve in the bathwater to scent and soften the water. Bath salts can also relieve tension and ease your sore muscles.

You can make several different bath salt blends with just a few inexpensive ingredients. Add two parts kosher salt, two parts Epsom salt, and one part baking soda to a few drops of your favorite essential oils. If you are not sure where to start, you can experiment with eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and bergamot to calm you down.

You can make some eucalyptus mint bath oil if you want something more relaxing. Mix 5 drops of peppermint oil with 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, then add two ounces of carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or almond oil. The Epsom salt, in combination with some bath oil, should soothe your sore body after a long, hard day.

How can I make my bath more relaxing?

There are ways you can indulge in a luxurious bath even more. Here are a few tips to make your bath even more amazing:

  • Use a bath caddy to avoid getting your wet fingers on the pages of your magazine.
  • Add finely-ground colloidal oatmeal to calm ailments like psoriasis and eczema and soothe skin irritation. Colloidal oatmeal replenishes some of the proteins that form the barrier layer of the skin.
  • If you suffer from eczema, you could add a half cup of bleach to the bathwater. It is considered a safe way to remove bacteria from the skin.
  • Heat your gown and towel on a radiator. Wouldn’t it make your bath even more pleasurable?
  • Set the mood with soft music.
  • Keep herbal tea and a healthy snack within reach.
  • Adjust the bathwater to the optimal temperature.

What should be the temperature of my bathwater?

A relaxing bath is all about the temperature of the water. A bath that’s too cold could excessively lower your body temperature. Bathwater that’s too hot will just make you sweat and uncomfortable. If the bathwater is too hot, you could be at risk of burns and heat stroke. The bath water temperature should feel warm when you get in, but not uncomfortably hot, depending on your personal preference.

If you want to relax, you need a warm water bath. But bathwater that’s too hot can put a strain on your body. Some say that the optimum temperature for a warm bath should be 92 degrees Fahrenheit on the lower end; others recommend bathwater to be a little above body temperature. The temperature of bathwater depends on your personal preference. Whatever water temperature you want, you could use your wrist to check the temperature, but a thermometer is always going to be more accurate.

How long should a relaxing bath be?

A relaxing bath should last for at least 10-20 minutes. Even if you don’t want your relaxing bath to end, you should end the bath after 30 minutes. If your bathwater loses temperature, you can drain some of the cooled water and replace it with hot water from the tap. Make sure to hydrate during your relaxing bath.

What is a relaxing bath routine?

A relaxing bath routine should include the following:

  • Determine the type of bath you want and gather everything you need for your relaxing bath. Silence your phone, find a magazine or a book, essential oils, some candles for your hot bath.
  • Get your Bluetooth speaker and set your relaxing music.
  • Prepare herbal tea and a healthy snack.
  • Light a candle or two and place them on the edge of the bathtub.
  • Adjust the water temperature to your personal preference.
  • Add bath salts and scented oils.
  • Enjoy your relaxing bath.
  • Moisturize your skin after a relaxing bath.

What do you buy for a relaxing bath?

There is nothing better to relax you at the end of a stressful day than a luxurious bath.

If you want to transform your bath into a spa-like experience, you might buy the following items:

  • Bathtub caddy
  • Scented aromatherapy candles
  • Spa bath pillow
  • Scented bath oils
  • Healing bath salts
  • Bath wine holder
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Luxury bath towels

How to make a relaxing bath with household items?

At the end of a long day, there is nothing more relaxing than a bath. A relaxing bath can relieve stress and calm your sore muscles. It’s true that warm water can be extremely relaxing on its own; you can use a variety of natural household items to make your bath an even more blissful experience.

  • Chamomile – A natural relaxant, chamomile, soothes away stress and irritability and can help with a good night’s rest. Chamomile is also a natural anti-inflammatory, a great skin softener.
  • Red wine – Vinotherapy, aka red wine bath, can be good for your skin due to polyphenols.
  • Green tea – Green tea is a great detoxifier and antioxidant not only when drinking but also when applying to your skin.
  • Aloe vera – This plant heals, from acne to blisters to skin flare-ups. Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer that creates a protective shield to lock in the good stuff. It is also a great sunburn remedy.
  • Seaweed – Seaweed is credited with several therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown that seaweed bathing can lower stress and relieve skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Seaweed is considered an excellent treatment for some circulatory ailments, joint stiffness, and muscle aches. Seaweed therapy is associated with slimming, body toning, and the release of toxins.
  • Roses – Adding roses to your relaxing bath doesn’t just look luxurious but can have health benefits. Rose petals are known to relax you and refresh your skin.
  • Cinnamon – The natural properties in cinnamon oil can make you sweat away the toxins by increasing circulation. Cinnamon also acts as a natural astringent and disinfectant, helping cleanse the body.
  • Baking soda – Baking soda is a soothing agent. It can calm irritated skin and can relieve irritation caused by bug bites.
  • Lemon – Lemon is a cost-effective home remedy to combat skin issues. Since it is rich in vitamin C, lemon is an excellent source of boosting your immune system. Lemon in your bathwater can normalize your skin and reduce oil secretion.
  • Himalayan sea salt – A powerful detoxifier, Himalayan sea salt, can help extract the toxins from your skin. The salt penetrates your skin through the pores, leaving you nourished and refreshed.
  • Fennel – Fennel seeds help relax your muscles.  It is also effective for relieving bloating and excess gas.
  • Eucalyptus – It is another powerhouse of a plant. Eucalyptus is wonderful at clearing toxins, and it also has antibacterial qualities.
  • Milk – Milk is naturally rich in lactic acid, meaning it helps to soften and exfoliate your skin while you bathe.
  • Coconut oil – Coconut oil has moisturizing benefits, so you don’t have to worry about that you are moisturized when you finish your bath.
  • Sage – Sage relieves muscle tightness, which makes it a great option for an after workout bath. A nice side effect of sage that it smells divine.
  • Nutmeg – Nutmeg oil can ease bodily pain while simultaneously cleansing your skin.
  • Oatmeal – An oatmeal bath is a simple, effective, and inexpensive therapy for a variety of skin conditions. You can also use oatmeal for dry or itchy skin problems.
  • Jell-O – Jell-O or gelatin has characteristics that strengthen hair and nail and improve skin elasticity.
  • Honey – Honey is known for its skin-soothing benefits, with anti-inflammatory effects. It is rich in antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
  • Olive oil – Olive oil can be used as a skin hydrator and emollient. If your hands are dry and cracked, olive oil can help restore your skin.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar can help with skin problems due to its powerful antimicrobial properties. It can soothe irritation and help ease skin infections.
  • Ginger – A ginger bath can alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Some people prefer ginger baths after a big night out due to its detoxing qualities.
  • Lavender – Lavender is a recognized holistic treatment for restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, abdominal complaints, and rheumatism. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Lavender oil is particularly helpful as a relaxant.
  • Epsom salts – You can mix Epsom salts with various ingredients such as green tea.

Are cold baths good for you?

Most people prefer a relaxing warm bath, but research shows that cold baths and cold shower can be good for you too. Cold baths or ice baths are beneficial for both mind and body, and they have multiple health benefits.

  • Exposure to cold increases your metabolic rate. Thus cold baths and cold showers serve as an effective weight-loss tool.
  • If you want a stronger immune system, consider a cold bath. Studies have shown that cold baths and cold showers increase the white blood cell count of the body.
  • Cold baths create a higher state of alertness. Taking a cold bath or a cold shower forces you to take deeper breaths, helping you concentrate. Cold baths help you stay focused.
  • Cold baths harden your body to withstand a greater amount of stress. People who take cold baths report keeping a cool head in stressful situations.

Long cold baths could lower your body temperature. If your body temperature drops below 89.96°F (32.2°C), you may experience:

  • falling blood pressure
  • decreased consciousness
  • abnormally slow breathing rate
  • heartbeat irregularities

As long as you avoid extreme temperatures, taking cold and hot baths can provide various mental and physical health benefits. Hydrotherapy is widely regarded as a safe strategy and does not cause dependence or significant side effects.

It’s true that a relaxing bath can’t solve everything, but it’s a great way to relax your muscles and melt away the stressors of your life. If you want to take the most relaxing bath ever, it is important to set the scene and follow a routine that works for you. With scented candles burning, a glass of wine, and a great book, a warm bath is the ultimate form of relaxation.