Why A Bubble Bath?
We get it. Some people just aren’t bubble bathers. But, even if you prefer a quick, hot shower to a mellow soak, you should consider filling up the tub every now and then. There are many proven benefits to taking a bubble bath. As simple as it may seem, many mental health experts recommend a good bath as a
self-care routine, as it allows you to sit back for a while and focus on your thoughts without distraction.
Adding a junk load of smellies to your bath can also be beneficial to your well being. However, there is a science to drawing the perfect bath. Too much of one product can throw the whole tub out of balance. Here are some suggested ways to draw yourself the perfect, relaxing bath to soothe your worries and de-stress while under lockdown:
Set The Mood
Sometimes, you have to set the scene to get in the mood for a relaxing dip in the tub. Whether it’s scented candles, chilled out music or rubber duckies you need to de-stress, there is always merit in putting in extra effort for yourself. Need to cheer up your spirits? Check out our awesome
'quarantune' playlist on Spotify. How about a
good classic read to take your mind off of the news and other stressors? It's all about you, so personalise your bubble bath setting to whatever gets you in touch with your inner zen.
Just The Right Temperature
One of the most vital elements to creating the perfect bubble bath is the temperature of the water. Not too hot and not too cold. Ideally, you should aim for somewhere between just above normal body temperature - 37.5 °C. If you don’t have a temperature gauge on hand, simply stick your pinky finger into the water. If it scorches your skin, it’s too hot. However, the rule of thumb is to generally start out too hot and to cool the water just before diving in.
Please also remember that we do live in a
water scarce country. As much as you may want to fill the bathtub to the brim, we recommend a quarter-filled bath to save this precious resource. Use your leftover bathwater to water your garden if you can, too.
Keep Hydrated
It’s important to remember that a bath can quickly dehydrate you. Keep an ice-cold glass of water or cold compress nearby to help you cool down. If you are lucky enough to still have
champagne or wine on hand, pour yourself a chilled glass to enjoy as well. Alternatively, you can whip up a
tasty mocktail to keep you refreshed and relaxed. Remember that ideally you should soak for 20 to 30 minutes to reap all the benefits of bathing, so make sure that you have enough refreshment to stay well hydrated for that amount of time.
Now For The Science!
This is where things start to get tricky. However, if you follow a few basic rules you should be well on your way to drawing the ideal, foaming bath in no time. Always remember that bubbles and fizz don’t mix well together, so avoid putting both bubble bath and bath bombs into your tub at once. The effervescent bath bomb will destroy your pretty, shiny bubbles.
Expert bath baristas (yes, that’s an actual job) also recommend using bath salts over bubbles. However, if your heart is set on soaking in a sudsy wonderland, why not try your hand at making your own bubble bath? All you need is
liquid hand or body soap, one egg white and one tablespoon of honey!
Mixing your own
bath salts and oils is also a lot easier than it seems. You will need:
- Two parts Epsom salt
- Two parts kosher salt
- One part baking soda to a few drops of your favourite essential oils (lavender oil is great for reducing stress and stimulating the sleep hormone melatonin, but it’s totally up to your discretion.)
Not a fan of DIY? No problem. You can still get all your favourite bath and body goodies from a number of stores while under lockdown, including Dis-Chem, Clicks and
Netflorist! Once you have all you need, why not treat yourself to a
full spa day at home? There is no better time than now to indulge yourself.
Stay healthy and happy, everyone!
