“There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”
Sylvia Plath
In a society that rewards constant business and overwork, I often tend to forget to make space in my plans for renewal and rest. This year, I’ve been trying to be a little more intentional about finding ways to renew myself on a regular basis, so that I can offer the best version of myself to the world.
I was a skeptic on the whole “spa” experience for years, but recently I’ve changed my tune. Now, I’m convinced that pedicures, face masks, hot baths, and etcetera are actually magical packages of serenity. Because holy toledo, guys, if you ever want to feel like an ethereal goddess reborn, I would highly recommend a hot bath.
Not only are baths physically nourishing—lowering your blood pressure and blood sugar, relieving tension, cleaning and moisturizing your skin, and improving circulation—but they also act as a form of meditation to relax the mind as well. It’s basically like your own personal jacuzzi. Today I’m going to share my top tips for making the whole experience as ethereal as possible.
(Also, a side note: you don’t need to have a bathtub for this to work. You can do all this in your bedroom for your evening routine, or during a personal movie night while you paint your nails. It’s all up to you.)
Now, without further ado…
pretty scents
First things first. As you draw the bath, letting hot water stream out of the faucet, sprinkle some nice scents into the water: epsom salts, a few drops of essential oil, or a handful of rose petals. The goal here is to make your space smell beautiful.
candles
Grab your favorite candle and light it, watching it flicker into existence. See that? Sudden TRANQUILITY.
a face mask
While you’re waiting for the bath to fill, put on a face mask in a pretty scent. My favorites are Trader Joe’s acai/blueberry facial scrub and the “rosy cheeks” mask from Lush. I really like the face masks that sting my skin a little bit, because they feel like they’re cleansing my soul, and I finish feeling very self-righteous.
tea, and other lovely things
To keep yourself hydrated, brew up a cup of hot tea or fill a glass with fruit-infused water. Bonus points if you include some rich dark chocolate.
quiet sounds
Play some ambient music off your phone in the background. My favorite is this relaxation playlist from YouTube, which has both nature sounds and gentle music in the background.
Once you’re all set, the ethereal realm of the hot bath is yours for the taking. Grab a good book if you want to linger for a while, or simply soak in the warmth and take a long sip of tea. Voilà!
<3 Olivia Grace
