Baths for Relaxation
Did you know that in Japan it’s customary to take a hot bath at the end of each day? In Japanese culture, it’s viewed as a method of washing away not only the dirt from the day but also the stress. According to Marie Kondo (the author of the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up), “When I dip into a bath, I can tell if my spirits are low. The water helps to restore my energy and calm my mind. After I take a bath, I always feel lighter.” The Japanese believe that when you warm your body, you simultaneously boost your life energy, so their baths are hot. It seems that science is backing up their practice.
Dr. Bobby Buka is a dermatologist located in New York. In an interview, he shared that our skin releases endorphins when we expose it to warm or hot water, similar to when we feel sunshine. Not only that but submerging in hot water for an hour also has the benefit of increasing blood flow to the skin, improves breathing, reduces risk of heart attack, lowers blood pressure, and burns as many calories as a 30 minute walk (Lamothe, 2018)! Impressive right? But how can a simple bath do all that?
In one study, researchers found that high heat levels raise your heart rate just enough to give it a gentle workout. The same study found positive anti-inflammatory and blood sugar responses, two of the body's signals that relate to illness or infection. As for the improved breathing, the combined high temperature and pressure of the water on your chest raises your lung’s oxygen capacity (Lamothe, 2018).
In Japan it’s common to participate in a public bath, called a “sento”, but here in the US we’re limited to the private bath experience, or “furo” (Lamothe, 2018). We’ve compiled a list for you that can help make the most out of your own furo experience. The next time you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, set aside time for a long, hot bath and use these tips to get the most out of it.
Lower the lighting. Either turn off artificial lights completely or keep them dim. The goal is to soften the light in the room to a calm level.
Light candles on the bathroom counter or on the corners of the tub making sure to keep them away from any curtains or flammable items.
Try to schedule your bath for the quietest time possible. For me, this means late in the evening after the children are in bed. If you need to, play some relaxing, peaceful music to help drown out sounds from neighbors, roommates, or family members.
Pick up some epsom salts from the pharmacy or grocery to put in the bath. Epsom salts are especially good for soaking sore muscles in.
Use special scrubbers or sponges during your bath. I keep a lava stone in the shower for whenever I want to buff the bottoms of my feet, which helps them stay soft and prevents calluses.
If you like to read, use part of the time to do that or to listen to an audio book. Try to spend at least a portion of the time envisioning the stress of the day being washed away.
Reference: Lamothe, C. (2018). How a hot bath can clean off a day’s stress. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/hot-bath-benefits-sento-furo-japanese-bathing#Lets-not-forget-about-the-best-benefit:-pain-reduction.
Challenges/Points:
Nightly baths are a common ritual in Japanese culture for washing away dirt and stress.
There are multiple health benefits to hot baths including improved lung capacity, lowered risk of heart attack, and increased blood flow to the skin.
Add epsom salts or essential oils to your own bath for added benefits.
Questions:
When was the last time you took a long bath? Was it when you were a little child?
What’s one way you might personalize a bathing ritual for yourself?
Why do you think we find being in water to be such a calming, relaxing experience?
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