Some people are shower people, others are bath people.

I truly enjoy both but for me there is absolutely nothing on Earth better than a hot bubble bath at the end of the day, I love it as much as I love the hot sauna. It is hands down one of my favorite things to do. I like it hot, really, really hot. Perhaps it’s because I am a quarter Hungarian and the Hungarians are known to enjoy the art of the bath, you know?!?

Anyway, I’m an avid researcher of wellness, always looking for a good way to practice more wellness and self care. Especially as I understand how to take care of my body better during each phase of my menstrual cycle.

I stumbled across an article talking all about how science shows baths are better for you than showers. In a Japanese study, 33 people were to do 2 weeks of baths only and then 2 weeks of showering only.

According to the study, subjects reported that the two-week bathtub bathing period improved their health and skin conditions and decreased fatigue, stress and pain. Researchers hypothesize this has to do with hyperthermic action, which increases body temperature, stimulates the metabolism and eliminates metabolic waste products – ultimately, causing the body to feel refreshed.

After reading this I turned to my favorite wellness guru, Kimberly Snyder who talks about using baths as a way to combat fat loss. Here’s what she found:

There have been many studies about how hot baths may help with weight loss and fat burning, and there are two primary ways they work.

The first, is via the removal of toxins through your skin, which is your largest eliminative organ. Heat opens up your pores and then also causes you to sweat, and this is certainly one of the best ways to assist detoxification each night.
The other mechanism is a bit more scientific or technical sounding, but research shows that hot bathing can increase the circulation of free fatty acids (FFA), which mediates many adverse metabolic effects, including insulin resistance.
One study on Korean subjects showed a marked increase in circulating FFA levels after bathing, which is evidence that the bathing triggered lipolysis, or the breakdown of lipids. In other words, the bath helped their bodies break up fat.”

Ummmmm. Yes, please!

Here’s why you should take more baths….

Spiritual Benefits. Water has excellent spiritual cleansing properties (think baptism), and you can use a bath to cleanse the energy of the day. Focus on allowing the stresses of the day go down the drain with the bath water.
Fat Loss. The heat from the bath can spike your metabolism and promote the breakdown fat cells. This is especially beneficial for your body to do while asleep.
Soothes Muscle aches and pains. If you use a bath soak like epsom salt, the benefits are amazing (this is an entire blog post on its own). Epsom salt provides your body magnesium which promotes a deeper sleep and helps with digestion. It also soothes sore joints and muscle pains.
Stabilizes blood pressure. The heat you experience can help to balance out your blood, therefore very beneficial for the heart.
Improves sleep quality. When you take a bath at night, science shows that the bathing minerals can help to eliminate the mental fatigue you experience on a day to day basis. Which increases the ease of moving through your sleep cycles & helps you fall back to sleep if you wake up.

MY PERSONAL NIGHTLY BATH ROUTINE:

I like to set the mood with soft lighting and calming music. I use a mini speaker to really get the good sound quality. I prep by drawing the bath with very hot water. I always, always, always fill up my hydroflask with fresh, cold water. It’s so important to hydrate yourself well while soaking in a hot bath. As it’s filling up I add some epsom salt, I really like using the Dr. Teals Himalayan Pink Salt, it just feels really good and detoxifying. Sometimes I will add a drop or two of Peppermint essential oil, not too much because its very potent but it really adds a spa like quality to the whole experience. I also like to add bubbles using whatever body soap I’m currently into. I have crystals strewn around the bath and I light a candle and place it on my bamboo bath tray. Then I dry brush my body before I get in the bath to really get the blood going. I place my robe next to the bath so I can wear it after. Then enjoy a nice long soak.

So, are you a bath person or a shower person?

If you love this post, then you will really love this one too.

Have a blissful weekend.
Love, Ashlina