Bathtub Bliss and Healing
Back to basics benefits of bathing and taking care of you and your body internally.
The Body Part
To bathe or to shower is a question that often becomes one of those random topics of conversation, and a body cleansing method is essential to everyday hygiene, right? A pick-me-up shower to rev up energy, exfoliate the skin, stimulate lymphatic nodes and start the day is a quick and convenient way to go to get fresh. After people-ling, family, daily living and tasks, exercise and a long day at work; a downpour shower to lather away activities and the chill skin and brain cells is just what the doctor ordered.
And let’s face it – there appears to be far more choices/brands available for shower gel products and various price points than there are for bath oils and bath foam cleansers. This could be evidence that globally, having a shower is the choosen option and highy favoured. An active routine and lifestyle mean that a shower fits right in, you stand upright and can reach all over the bits and bobs to beautify yourself and in a timely fashion. And as my daughter likes to say when we have a bath vs shower debate – constant clean running water through the hose means there’s no water to transfer bacteria onto the skin, so what is there not to love?!
But then - to bathe and to lay back, slide into your own floating wave and sink into a mini ocean is free, natural medicine and the ultimate prize in relaxation. Having a bath is a form of rest - to immerse yourself in water and free the mind of thought and the body from fast movement.
The natural health benefits of taking a warm and bearable hot bath for women are obvious but here are some reminders:
Increases blood flow and causes vasodilation. Vasodilation is when the blood vessels such as capillaries and arteries widen, which helps blood circulate throughout the body. This assists the blood flow to soothe muscles and reduce any stiffness around the arteries which is vital for cardiovascular health.
Increases blood flow to the heart.
Promotes a mood boosting release of endorphins and serotonin - feel good chemicals from the body that reduce anxiety and contribute to overall being of feeling contentment and refreshed.
Support the Endocrine System - the Thyroid Gland and Adrenal Gland that regulates the body’s metabolism including body temperature, lowers adrenaline and cortisol hormones, blood pressure and heart rate.
Helps lungs as warm to hot water increases blood flow and aids breathing, brings a welcomed ease to discomfort that comes with cold and flu symptoms and respiratory diseases and infections.
Alleviate mental and emotional stress and fatigue – steam from water helps to clear brain fog and release the mind from the clutches of worry and stressors.
Good for meditation.
Sleep can filter though the body quicker after a warm to hot bath, along with a restful routine to sleep like a baby.
Supports Pelvic Health in the uterus and womb. A warm to hot bath can be one of the main solutions in self-care for women who have painful fibroids and cysts and promote healing. Also can be of the same help to relieve symptoms of hormonal disorder Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PSOC) and reduce inflammation and pain. A warm to hot bath can detox away toxins via inhaling steam and through the skin and soothe period pain cramps and bloating before, during and after menstrual cycle.
The Beauty Part
Oils, Salts and Liquid Bath Foam Cleansers
Oils
Ancient Greece and Egypt is often referred to as the blueprint for a luxury bathing experience and has culturally and professionally influenced the health, wellness and spa industry as well as bathroom interiors on a global scale. Bathing signified a level of holistic cleanliness and refinement that Egyptian royalty Queen Cleopatra and Queen Nefertiti used for their beauty and spiritual practices and added to their timeless appeal. It’s documented that the Egyptians were the first civilisation to slather their skin and hair with opulent, fragrant oils and bathe in milk and mineral salts and it’s no wonder that their legacy of beauty rituals – which is said to have influenced Ancient Rome, lives on.
Oils have moisturising properties that are great for dry and sensitive skin. And for oily and spot prone skin, it’s always been proclaimed by the skincare industry to avoid use of oils - particularly for facial skin care as oil clogs pores. This advice, while not entirely incorrect - should be taken from an individual perspective and research. Everyone’s skin is different and a lightweight, natural ingredient based oil can be benefical to all skin types for face and body. Scientific backed evidence along with technology continues to grow and get more sophisticated, which helps with investigations into what’s ideal to soothe and hydrate the skin.
Salts
A miraculous mineral that comes from water is salt. Pour mineral salts under the tap of flowing water and the natural properties of the salt dissolves into the water to help us relax and unwind. The three most common are Epsom Salts, Dead Sea Salts and Himalayan Salts.
Epsom Salts
Epsom Salts are a 16th century discovery, found in the waters of the Surrey countryside in Epsom, England and are sought after for their purity properties in Magnesium sulphate. Magnesium absorbs through the body by way of breathing in the steam particles and promotes better sleep, and less tension in achy joints and relieves back pain and cramps. Magnesium is also good for protecting and cleansing the epidermis layer of skin.
Dead Sea Salts
A must have choice for body scrubs, Dead Sea Salts derives the Dead Sea – a river geographically landlocked in between the borders of Jordan and Israel. The chronicles of the Dead Sea go back to biblical times, and the health and healing properties are well documented over time. Its ancient minerals have six therapeutic benefits of its kind and are Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Zinc, Potassium and Sulphur. All minerals possess powerful healing, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties for our wellbeing.
Himalayan Bath Salts
This natural resource is mined from Pakistan’s Khewa region in Northern Punjab and has been a sustainable muti-purpose salt since the Precambrian Era.
Not only used in culinary delights, Himalayan Salts are also used by therapists to revive tired muscles and joints and gently calm skin from pesky skin irritation and conditons such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. Pouring Himalayan Bath Salts under the tap of running water will help absorb minerals that seep into the outer layer of the skin and help nerve function - plus, soaking for 10 to 15 minutes have the same mineral benefits to mind and body as Dead Sea Salt with salutary additions of copper, zinc, selenium and phosphorus.
Liquid Bath Foam Cleansers
Liquid Bath Foam Cleansers
Who doesn’t like to sink the body into a tub of fragrant bath foam. It’s possibly the most cost-effective and common way to enjoy bathtime. Pour your favourite liquid bath foam cleanser underneath a running tap and watch the foam gradually bubble and rise, this immediately gives a sense of calm and tranquil thoughts. Bubbles are visually a great invitation to stepping in the bath, looks lovely and feels comforting and indulgent.
This builds a mental and emotional mood board for a physical and emotional de-stress, help regulate hormones and dysregulation to the nervous system and result in a restful night’s sleep. Foam has hydrating properties and helps to balance skins natural oils rather than dry the skin out (unless you stay in the bathtub for a prolonged amount of time - then skin will start to to lose moisture and shrivel like a raisin) and helps to maintain the temperature of water. The nice part about liquid bath foam cleansers with fragrance is it that not only does the foam help the scent cling to skin, but the smell also gently fills the air and leaves bathroom smelling lush.
The Cleaning Part
The bathtub is many lovely things to everyone. A safe haven for parents to bond with their babies and get them used to water and for small children to discover their sensory skills and learn the joy of water play with toys. In the bath, it’s easy to achieve a spiritually zen atmosphere and create your own personalised apothecary and spa. Having a clean bathtub to achieve optimum results to this is so important to protect from contagious, harmful germs E Coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus Aureus.
Primary focus for a clean bathtub and area.
First things first - If toilet is in the bathroom, to lessen the risk of the spread of bacteria – ensure toilet is thoroughly cleaned at least once a day and if time does not permit full cleaning in bathroom to be possible - get in touch and contact us at Rosie Bloom Cleaning services.
Habitually after every use, pour toilet cleaner around the rim and give the inside bowl a swirl with a brush. This takes a few seconds and then use a fresh cloth to wipe the outer seat area of the toilet bowl, underneath and the outside base. Then wipe the toilet seat and lid, always keep a fresh microfibre cloth nearby so it’s handy and not forgotten.
Remove all toiletries and products from around the bath. Spray a generous amount of chosen cleaning product on both taps and on the whole enamel surface of bath area and outside area as well – including bath panel and outer bathtub with feet.
Use the scourer side of sponge and start cleaning using circular movements from the base of bath area (where we sit/lay). Include the plug and drain area and work up a lather upwards and around all the inside of bath sides and taps.
Pay particular attention to where bath water usually measures up after you stop running the tap, as this area leaves a ring of residue. This ring of residue if left unchecked can leave an unsightly watermark on the enamel over time. If bath is particularly grimy, after spraying with cleaning solution – pour a dab of washing up liquid for further cleaning. Rinse thoroughly and wipe all over clean with fresh large microfibre cloths until bath enamel is bone dry.
If bathroom is tiled, follow process of cleaning bath and apply to tile area and bath glass screen. Clean tiles first before cleaning inside the bath.
For recommended bath temperatures, it is worthwhile to seek professional medical advice if you have specific health conditions and concerns.
Please be guided:
Pregnant
Epilepsy
Low and high blood pressure
Unstable heart conditions
Slower pace in mobility
To conclude, a bath can fabulously improve your sense of well-being, and the added use of oils, salts, and bath foam cleansers make bath times a real healthy treat and a much-needed respite at the end of a long day.