Soothing Soaks- Embracing the Healing Art of Medicinal Bathtimes

Read Time: 10 mins

Full disclosure. I’m a bath addict. One of my ultimate favourite pastimes, I find there isn’t a problem that isn’t eased, albeit briefly, by a soak, or a week that goes by where a float to the sound of a favourite tune doesn’t feature. Wintertime often brings more nightly retreats and there have been times of ill health where I’ve practically lived in the bath, savouring brief respite in the water, feeling soothed in body, mind and soul.

On booking hotels, I will always pop a request in to ensure one is doable if in doubt. With many reservations placed, and glowing reviews duly given, on an establishment’s bath game alone. Friends and family have been known to message with photos of glorious tubs they encounter on their travels. From upcycled metal pots in far flung fields to sunken infinity illusions amongst skyscrapers. And it doesn’t matter where I am-the more random the better- momentarily I am transported in my mind for a brief mental daydream splash, to whichever one features on their photos. Relishing talks of taps and tiles whilst demanding the lowdown on accompanying bathroom tipples and treats. You get the picture.

It’s clear I’m not alone in my adoration. A brief scroll on social media will tell you that the practice of aquatic pampering is a booming industry, with the phrase ‘bathinfluencer’ coined a few years ago, reflecting the number of folk going to great lengths to tart up their tub time. With elaborate petals, crystals and fruit slices sprinkled in, and an assortment of reading material, soundtracks and buffets in tow, the humble and ancient bath time is now a modern masterpiece, complete with eye watering product price tags and social media bragging rights.

Far be it for me to take a pop at the kindred spirits who share my love of bathing. The importance of taking time out for wellbeing, the joy of solo time, the elevation of a key room naturally in all houses to spa like retreat status and the power of using water and natures simple things to decompress, are values I hold dear and defend. I also know that whilst many illnesses can be eased by water, solace can be found from and remedy given, to skin issues especially.

And so, in the interest of tempting those on the fence and converting those staunch shower lovers that still can’t get their head around sitting in your own soup, read on to find out how the humble bath holds potent powers when it comes to your health.

Bathing- A brief history

Used for their healing or revitalising properties since the beginning of time, bathing has been an important part of life across time and throughout cultures around the world. A central pillar not only to health and wellbeing, but one of kinship and bonding between the families and communities who bathe together; it also takes on a symbolic and ritualistic quality, with baptisms and other cleansing rites ensuring it has long been viewed as a ceremonial and innate act of humankind.

Throughout history many cultures have created their own bathing rituals for spiritual, religious, therapeutic or social reasons.

– 1500BC

Ancient Egyptians were fond of bathing rituals and would cleanse themselves with a dip in the canal or river and wash their hands, faces and feet in water basins. Believing that the cleaner and more well-oiled a person was, the closer they were to the Gods; cosmetics, soaps, clays and pastes scented with oils were made to accompany wash times.

– 700AD

Bathhouses are places where people come together to socialise, relax, eat, drink and be entertained. Depictions from the time also show bathhouses as hedonistic places where sex and prostitution went on. In Japan the origins of bathhouses can be traced back to Buddhist temples in India, where they were used only by priests for religious reasons, with sick people gaining access as a form of healing.

– 1340-50s

Bathhouses fall out of favour due to the belief that illness could be spread through open pours and that dirt would block the disease from entering the body. People bathed privately in their homes according to their status and wealth, with King Edward III upgrading his bathroom to contain the ultimate luxury of a hot and cold tap.

– 1846

An Act of Parliament granted local authorities the power to establish bathing facilities and offered loans to do so. Many baths, now recognised as swimming pools, opened.

– 1860-90s

The idea that the spread of disease could be prevented with good sanitation and hygiene, led to bathing becoming regular at home. Many houses had bathrooms installed, whilst others relied on a weekly tin tub which the whole family sharing one batch of water.

– 1900-50’s

Indoor plumbing and washing facilities became a legal requirement. Bathrooms begin to become a source of pride for the home with a demand for ensuite, colour and tiles.

Balneotherapy- Harnessing water for the treatment of disease

Balneotherapy is the practice of bathing in natural thermal waters, usually in minerals and other additives, as a therapeutic modality. With the curative thermal waters used not always restricted to baths, but also utilised as inhalations, irrigations, drinking cures, or mud packs.

Many mineral waters are rich in particulars such as silica, sulphur, selenium and radium, with the medicinal clays that can form part of the therapy, also proving abundant in mineral profiles. Whilst your bath time doesn’t technically count (unless the water coming out of your tap is direct from a natural source or spring, and meets the criteria of at least 1 gram of dissolved minerals per litre), the spirit on which this therapy is built on, is perfectly DIY doable from the comfort of your own home or hotel.

The Science of Bathing

With age-old wisdom showing us that bathing in water can liberate the body and mind, equating with physical and mental health, modern testing now provides insight and allows the science behind it to speak for itself. With a host of information available showing the effect different minerals and oils can have on the body, it’s worthwhile remembering that even taking a simple bath, with no added ingredients, has been proven to come to our aid.

Bathing has been shown to have health helping, scientifically proven benefits across immune system support, sleep improvement, skin condition management, circulation support, heart health, muscle and joint support and hormone balancing.

• Improved circulation and heart health

Taking a hot bath will make your heart work faster and become stronger, giving it a healthy workout and improving circulation. A Japanese study covering 30,000 people over 20 years showed that those who took baths nearly every day had a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 26% lower risk of stroke. Heat also increases sweating so will help eliminate toxins, viruses and bacteria from the body.

• Relieves muscles aches and pains

Baths have always been a tonic for aching muscles. This is because they raise the temperature of sore muscles and block pain receptors, producing pain relief. Two Turkish studies into Fibromyalgia found that daily bathing led to statistically significant differences in symptom scores, reduced pain and blood pressure without blood flow risk. For athletes, who have cold baths after exercise, this lowers the levels of lactic acid in the bloodstream, so muscles can recover faster.

• Calms the Nervous System

Bathing reduces stress and anxiety and can boost mood. A study at the Wolverhampton University found that a daily bath, usually at the end of the day, significantly improved the mood and optimism of the participants.

• Blood Sugar Balance

Excess fat is associated with multiple health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and more. Experts at Loughborough University found that sitting for an hour in a hot bath lowered blood sugar levels more effectively than spending the same amount of time cycling, benefitting people with type 2 diabetes.

The Art of Bathing

The act and art of bathing is a personal one, so take your time relishing its ritualistic quality, curating something unique to you with each dip you do. And so, in salutation to the salvation that can be found from simply submerging in water, here’s how to harness, at the most basic and gentle level, the medicinal power of bath time.

– Pick your Magic Time

An important part of any ritual is regularity, so carving out the time once or twice (or thrice..?) a week is key. Allow yourself the time to bathe and, just as importantly, time to relax afterwards. Permit yourself this time, schedule it in your diary, honour it as you would an important meeting.

– Clear Out the Chemicals

Your skin is your biggest organ, and whilst much is made by those who argue against baths that stewing in dirty water is grim, not enough of a fuss is made on the importance of avoiding sitting in a stew of cleaning products and beauty potions. Opt for safer cleaning alternatives, simpler skin remedies, and filtered water if possible, to ensure that what you sit and soak in supports your health. 

– Get the Temperature Right

This applies to both your bathwater and your bathroom. Temperature is such a personal pleasure point, I’m a sucker for a hot option, however bear in mind the drying tendencies of water that is too hot.  Aim for your water to be 36 to 38 degrees. If necessary, heat the room up beforehand because you don’t want to put your body under unnecessary stress if there is an excessive temperate difference when you get out. Nothing kills a relaxing vibe more than a shivering shock to the system.

– Slow Down

Many favour a power shower over time in the tub. Fast, economical and practical, you can pop in and out in a few moments with the perfect functional purposefulness compatible with current life speeds. But baths are innately unhurried, contemplative and slow, providing exquisite serenity, solitude and privacy. Affording us a window of tranquillity in which to unwind, combining a way of getting clean and calm, the ultimate antidote to the daily stresses of modern living. So, wallow in the water, and enjoy what may be the only time in the day where you get to be on your own.

– Don’t Overdo It

I’m having to opt for a do as I say, not as I do angle on this one. And I apologise for the hypocrisy seeing as I’ve clocked up marathon timings submerged in stillness. Again, timings are personal and based on what you can and want to do, however a good guide is to bathe for 15-30 minutes. A simple task for the initiated. I daresay otherwise for you shower heads out there. Staying in the bath too long can dry out your skin and put a strain on your circulatory system. I find adding carrier oils to the water or to damp skin on exiting provide moisture for the marathon dips, but the clean-up operation when it’s added to water can be lengthy. If you’re a fan of cold baths, don’t stay in for long-take a quick splosh before heating yourself up.

– Supercharge your Water

Whilst a bath will aid healing with no added ingredients, doing what your heart desires, creating a cocktail of your choice and mixing it up across your soaks is strongly encouraged. Whether you enjoy Epsom Salt Baths, essential oils, or other natural ingredients, separate or combined, experiment until you find the perfect blend for you. This is the area where those of us with skin sensitivities do need to exercise caution. For skin conditions I often advise keeping your essential oils in a vaporiser nearby over adding it to the water to avoid irritation., Epsom salts are another common bath add that I emphasise cautiousness on for the same reason. Seaweed is an all-time favourite.

– Set The Mood

Bathrooms are key rooms in all houses, with family and flatmate product demands often at odds with the serene and spa like environments folk pay good money to escape to. I commend you if you can find zen amongst bathroom clutter, but if not, simply load stuff into a cupboard and failing that a box just for bath time. Cleaning surfaces and surrounding areas for relaxation and to provide room for recreation accompaniments only. Low lights tell your body and mind to calm down. Either use dimmed lights or turn them off completely and light some candles. Always opt for natural waxes to keep the air pure.

– Quieten Your Mind

Whether you practice meditation, or simply want to let your thoughts float away, be aware of keeping your mind calm and still. Whilst beautiful books aren’t always compatible with water, your favourite magazine can be a treat. Revel in a mental sign off. An ‘over and out’ activity that serves as a powerful reminder that this time is yours for you to do as you wish.

– Play Music if you wish but go Tech Free

To have a soundtrack or silence, that is often the question? Relaxing music can make the perfect bathing companion, as can an audio book if you switch off via the pages of a good read. Whilst it can be tempting to bring in the laptop for a welcome binge, for the truly therapeutic baths (and I say it as someone who is willing to categorise these away from the simple hangout dips or the problem-solving dips) leave all other electronics outside the bathroom door.

– Bring your Buffet

Whilst it is never a good idea to bathe on a full stomach because this delays digestion as blood flows to other parts of the body, having nibbles and a hot or cold drink can bring a touch of indulgence. Whilst these elements were obviously exempt from the clinical studies conducted, a chilled glass of wine, ice fuelled G&T or small tumbler of whiskey to sip while bathing gives a welcome hedonistic edge to self-care sessions. On a more orthodox health note, small snacks such as grapes and dark chocolate feel sumptuous, whilst herbal teas and jugs of water are classic bathing accompaniments, aiding detoxication and cleansing.

– Pamper Yourself

Whether you want to cleanse your body from head to toe, apply a face mask, or deep conditioner to your hair, use the time to practice self-care, and to celebrate and indulge your body. The gentler the product and the more transparent and simpler the ingredients list the better.

– Accessorise like a Pro

Whilst a good bath can literally consist of just you and water, there’s a whole host of glorious accompaniments that can elevate the experience. From nail brushes for deep cleaning, pumice stones for a good exfoliate and body brushes to stimulate and kick start metabolism, little additions can carry large impact.

– Take a Moment

Always finish your bathing ritual slowly and with great care.  Use your favourite towel to pat yourself dry and take a moment to relax. Afterwards continue to put any worries aside, mute the phone, read a book, lie down or meditate to allow the body and mind to absorb the bathing bliss. If there’s a way to reintegrate slowly back into post bath life, then do so.

Bathing Final Thoughts

In a world that often feels chaotic and demanding bath time serves as a sanctuary of solace and space. A simple yet profound act of self-love and a ritual that reminds us of the importance of slowing down and savouring life’s simple pleasures. So, whether you choose a quicker splash to awaken the senses of a morning, unwind after a long day, indulge in an exercise of pure indulgence with candles, oils and salts, absorb yourself in a crinkled book or keep it uncluttered and simple with nothing but you and the agua, next time you run a bath, do so with intention, mindfulness and joy. Embrace the preparation, soak up the sensory experience, pause to reflect and relax and cherish this much loved and long revered pastime.