There’s a lot more to be gained by indulging in a long, hot soak than you might imagine
Bathing isn’t just about removing the day’s grime and getting clean. If the Romans turned it into a social ritual, we invite you to see it as a private purification ceremony, an unhurried affair to soothe the mind and the body. Plunge into the depths of the serene underwater world, indulge your senses and discover the healing powers of bathtime…
HEALTH BENEFITS
Hot baths have been scientifically proven to have medicinal qualities by restoring your body as well as your soul. Here are just a few of the things they can do:
DETOX AND CLEANSE
Sweating is your body’s natural way of detoxifying: hot water opens the pores causing you to sweat and release toxins, which results in fresher and cleaner skin.
REDUCE STRESS
The profound state of relaxation that soaking in hot water usually provides is generated by the sense of weightlessness you feel and the massaging-like sensation of the water.
HELP TO MANAGE HEADACHES
As your body and mind relax, you release natural mood-enhancing hormones (serotonin) as well as pain-relieving hormones (endorphins).
LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Taking a soaking hot bath for just 15 minutes can suppress blood pressure for several hours as blood vessels dilate to help get rid of the excess heat.
CALM MUSCLE PAIN
Adding sea salts or Epsom salts to your bath will help relax tight muscles and loosen stiff joints. They will also calm the central nervous system, reducing aches and soreness.
RELIEVE SKIN CONDITIONS
Baking soda acts as a mild antiseptic for itchy and dry skin conditions. Adding some to your bath will help leave skin clean and smooth and minimise irritability.
IMPROVE BLOOD CIRCULATION
Hot water — as well as a good body scrub — increases blood circulation as arteries and veins expand, allowing more space for blood to flow.
REDUCE COLD SYMPTOMS
Similarly, the heat opens nasal passages and relieves congestion by reducing inflammation. The steam created clears the sinuses and chest, helping you to breathe more easily.
ALLEVIATE INSOMNIA
Bathing can help you to sleep as it reduces brain activity, but the gradual drop of body temperature one experiences after a hot bath can also influence how fast you fall asleep.
But be careful… make sure the bath is not too hot. Overly hot baths can make you feel dizzy, cause heat-stress and put unnecessary strain on your heart, especially if you have a cardiac condition.
And don’t forget to rehydrate! The heat will make you lose a lot of water so you need to take on fluids, inside and outside, by drinking water and applying moisturiser.
