Nothing is more therapeutic than taking a hot bath to unwind from a long day. The feeling when your body soaks in the tub is an exceptional experience.
From ancient Greeks and Romans to the Japanese, they all believed in the power of bathing. To restore from physical fatigue and stress, and cleanse your soul. While ancient Greeks believed that natural springs are blessed by god to cure diseases, for Romans, bathing was more of a communication tool. People could create a community beyond social class by successfully developing public bathing. In Japan, Buddhism influenced their bathing culture. The bathing ritual was created based on the purpose of cleansing your mind and soul. Today, taking a bath is known for its health benefits and how relaxing it is.
But how many benefits are they, and why is it so therapeutic?
- The healing power of hot water:
Soaking our body in hot water increases blood flow to the skin. According to the article from Healthline, "Can a Hot Bath Deliver the Same Results as Exercise?" ,
"The temperature of the water and pressure on your chest increases your lung capacity and oxygen intake. A growing body of research has shown that passive heating, like spending time in a sauna, can also reduce the risk of having a heart attack, improve blood sugar control, and even help lower your blood pressure."
- Pain relief:
Hot water stimulates blood flow to stiff muscles and joints, loosens spasms and releases tension from muscles that may affect the pain. Increasing blood circulation provides more muscle oxygen and nutrients, healing tissue and relieving pain.
- Reduces depression and anxiety:
Bathing can calm the nervous system, improve overall mood, and reduce stress and anxiety.
"Studies have shown that taking a bath can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is the part of your body responsible for relaxation. As your nervous system adjusts to the warming effect of the water around you, you begin to experience lowered levels of stress. " - How Taking a Bath Can Benefit Your Brain, Health Hub by Valley Oaks.
- Improves sleep quality:
Taking at least 20 minutes up to one hour of bathing is highly recommended to help lower your core temperature.
According to Dr Haley Perlus, a peak performance coach with a PhD in sport and exercise psychology, in the article "10 Health Benefits of Taking a Hot Bath" from BYRDIE,
"Baths aid in sleeping more deeply by facilitating the body’s natural flow into sleep by lowering body temperature,"
"Getting into a consistent routine of taking a hot bath before bed will signal to your mind and body that it's wind down time for sleep,”
- Lowers blood sugar:
operated by exercise physiologist Steve Faulkner PhD and his team shows that after one hour of hot baths, there are about 10% lower glucose levels than one hour of exercise.
They theorist this may result from the work of heat shock proteins, which are produced when your body temperature rises, such as during exercise, a sauna, or a hot bath. These proteins are released in response to stressful conditions, which may help reduce blood glucose levels.
Create a habit of taking a hot bath along with your night routine
Regularly taking a hot bath has a lot of good impacts on our inner health and mind. Start by creating a night routine and a space to relax properly, and spiritually away from the present. For example, lighting up your favorite candles, or incense, practicing Japanese tea, meditation, yoga, and your beauty night routine.
Additionally, soak your body in the hot bath with bath salt for more health and beauty benefits. Finally, try not to think about anything but relax.
We are all living a fast-paced life with no time to relax. So create a time to rest your mind and body. We are here to make your space creation easier. Check our bath products to add to your night routine.
