I used to love bath times when my boys were little. It gave a structure to the evening and allowed them to play, have fun and also relax at the end of a busy day. I would sneak in a few drops of lavender essential oil, and I swear it helped them wind down and get sleepy.
There’s something about soaking in a bath that conjures up happy feelings. We imagine luxuriating in a tub full of bubbles, dimming the lights, possibly lighting a candle and just shutting off the world for a bit, before falling into bed for a good night’s sleep.
So why then, do many of us skip this enticing ritual and opt for a rushed shower in the morning instead? If I honestly had to think when I last had a lovely bath it’s probably 6 months ago or more. Seriously?! I have no excuse either; I’m lucky enough to have a lovely freestanding tub thanks to a bathroom remodeling project a few years ago, so it’s actually quite sad that it hasn’t been properly used.
I vow to change that – starting from tonight! As we enter a new year, I, like many others have been thinking about making changes for 2025 and have decided that having regular baths will be a feature of my ‘new year – new me’ plan. I have a whole host of things I want to do this year as part of my wellness journey where I’ll set myself a variety of tasks/wishes to tick off before the year’s out.
This idea came from the author Gretchen Rubin | NYT Bestselling Author, Podcaster & Speaker who I have followed for years. I have gleaned many ideas from her podcast and books so this challenge will (hopefully) give me some structure to my year. I still haven’t fully devised my plan yet, so I better get a move on!
Anyway, back to the subject of baths! Why should we have them and is there any science to back up the health benefits of bathing like a princess?
Well, I’m pleased to report that yes, indeed, baths are good for us. And here are 3 reasons why…
- It helps keep your heart healthy. Dr Michael Mosley, a UK doctor turned TV journalist reports in his book, ‘just one thing’ that regular hot baths can help reduce blood sugar levels and lower the risk of heart disease. The heat from the water allows our blood vessels to relax and widen which means more blood can flow to the tissues. This in turn, allows more glucose to enter the cells which lowers our blood sugar. It’s nice to find something that feels great and is actually good for you. Double win!
- It can help you get to sleep quicker while improving your quality of sleep. Jason Ellis, a psychology professor at Northumbria University, explains the science behind this. “As your core temperature falls, it mimics the onset of sleep, triggering the release of the sleep hormone, melatonin, and sending a strong signal that it is time for bed.” You would think that a hot bath would make you hot right? Turns out it’s the opposite. As the water warms your body, it brings your blood to the surface which in turn pulls heat from your core and sets your internal thermostat for optimal sleep conditions. For maximum effect, Dr Ellis recommends aiming for a temperature of 40-42 degrees Celsius, around 90 minutes before bed.
- It helps with Stress Management. If you take time out to enjoy a nice, warm bath, you are practicing self-care and relaxation. The stress hormone, cortisol lowers and we begin to really properly relax and unwind. Life is hectic for many people and if our bodies retain excess cortisol, we can become chronically sick.
Tips to get the best out of your bath!
- Dim the lights as this helps to boost melatonin, which triggers sleep.
- Enjoy some relaxing music in the background.
- Pop a few drops of lavender in – it’s soothing and sleep-inducing.
- Stay away from phones and screens post-bath, the blue light will wake you up again. Don’t want to spoil the Zen!
So, the next time you find yourself thinking that baths are an indulgent waste of time with no real benefit to your health, think again. Make time (15 minutes is enough) for a few baths a week and you might find yourself sleeping like a baby!