Although showers are quicker and often more convenient, soaking in a bath is a real treat. To maximise the quality time spent in this relaxed state, bathing should be a full pampering experience and not a rush dip in and out. For best results try to do some breathing exercises before your bath and make a conscious effort to relax.

Temperature

Do not bathe in water that is so hot that it makes you drowsy, you will fill robbed of energy at the end. The ideal water temperature is 35°C or 95°F.

Warning: If you have a tendency to develop spider veins avoid soaking in very hot water.

The room

Your bathroom should be warm as well as your towels and bathrobe.  Add some soothing scents to your bathroom, surrounding yourself with your favourite scent encourages complete relaxation.  You can fill your bathroom with scent by burning an essential oil in a burner or by burning aromatherapy candles.

 

 

 

Make a sachet of therapeutic herbs using a small square of muslin.  Place the herbs on top of the muslin, knot the four corners together and tie the sachet under the tap, so that the running water flows through it.  Make sure your sachet is submerged under the water when your bath is full.

Mud treatments are particularly popular in continental Europe.  It might not be one of the most glamorous forms of treatment, but it is certainly one of the oldest, already used by ancient Egyptians and Romans for various ailments as well as beauty treatments.  Therapeutic mud often comes from areas around mineral springs, and the high mineral content of the mud id regarded as the cause of its benefits. 

The best time for a Moor mud bath is immediately before bedtime.  Make sure the bathroom is warm and run a deep bath pouring in the Moor mud according to the instructions on the package.  Mix it well and soak for about 20 minutes.  When you are ready to get out, put yourself dry with a warm towel, do not rub your body.  Go to bed as soon as you are dry and enjoy a good night sleep. 

Moor Mud comes from Neydharting Moor, near Salzburg in Austria.  It was used from as early as 800 BC by the Celts.  Paracelsus –a 15C alchemist- thought that he had discovered the elixir of life in this mud.

Probably better known than the Moor mud, Dead Sea is used similarly to the Moor mud.  Because of its high content of potassium, it is recommended in particular for people with oedema, skin problems, sports injuries, rheumatism and arthritis.  It is also a relaxing bath that promotes cell renewal and detoxing. 

Cleopatra is said to have prized it so highly as a beauty treatment that she persuaded Mark Antony to conquer the region and present it to her as a gift.  I don’t think my husband would do as much for me… but at least now days you can find it in health shops and Spas!

 

Aromatherapy baths are wonderfully relaxing at the end of the day.  You should soak in the bath at least 20 minutes to allow the essential oils to be absorbed.  As well as using a few drops of your favourite oil in your bath water, you can burn some essential oil in an oil burner. 

For a relaxing bath at the end of the day try five to ten drops of one or two of the following essential oils, mix in well with the bath water before you get in:

-Lavender is one of the gentlest essential oils.  It is safe to use directly on the skin even for children.  It has strong calming and sedative qualities, so it is helpful to solve problems such as stress or insomnia.  You can also put a few drops on your pillow to help you sleep. 

-Rose has a lovely scent which both relaxes and rejuvenates.  It helps sooth headaches.

-Sandalwood is both calming and an antidepressant, so use it if you are feeling low and that is the cause of your sleeplessness.  It is of particular benefit to dry skin. 

Experiment with different essential oils and in different combinations, but don’t try blending more than three oils at a time if you are new to aromatherapy. 

A bath in Epson Salts is a cleansing, relaxing and pampering treatment to be enjoyed just before bed time.  It helps remove toxins at the same time as stimulating circulation.  The magnesium in the salts warms and soothes the body, so the joints and muscles relax.  At the same time you can expect to get hot, your temperature will raise and you will release toxins in the form of sweat.

How to do an Epson Salt Bath?  Easy, just run a deep warm bath, tip in 1kg (2lb) of the salts and agitate the water until they are dissolved.  It takes a lot of stirring!  When is ready, soak yourself in the bath for at least 5 minutes.  You will start to sweat, don’t worry, this is completely normal and is part of the process that detoxifies your body.  Massage your body slowly with a sponge and relax another 5 minutes.  If you are too hot step out of the bath immediately.  Wrap yourself in warm towels and pat dry very gently.  When you are dry apply some moisturizer and go to bed with a big glass of water by your bedside and prepare for a wonderful and restful night sleep.

Warning: Do not use Epsom salts if you have eczema psoriasis or broken skin.