After a bath we feel more relaxed. Why is this? What is it about having a bath that helps us to relax?
The fact that you have taken time to look after yourself must be part of the reason. You have earmarked fifteen minutes or half an hour to sit back and look after yourself.
You can lock the door of the bathroom and let all the stresses of the day just disappear as you lie in the water and take it easy for a few minutes.
Blood Flow
There are physiological reasons why you feel better after a bath. Some of this has to do with the fact that warm water increases blood flow.
There are relaxation techniques that help you to improve your blood flow to major muscles as a way to help you relax. A bath helps you to do this naturally.
The water has to be hot to get the blood flowing but make sure it is not too hot as this can not only burn you but will lead to dry skin.
It is also important that the bathroom itself is nice and warm as this will help you to relax.
Meditation
There is a lot of advice out there about how you can have a relaxing bath. Some say you should shower first so that you don’t feel like you are bathing in your own dirt.
Many people add special oils and powders to their baths to help them to relax and most people put on some calming music and light scented candles as they lie back and take it nice and easy.
However, there are some people who meditate in the bath. Many believe that meditating in the bath is one of the best ways to get rid of stress.
To meditate you need to make sure you are breathing correctly. All you need to do is to breathe slowly and your body will start to calm down.
The key to meditation is to empty your mind of any thoughts. Don’t think of things that have happened during the day or what you need to do tomorrow. Just focus on yourself being in the nice warm bath and you should start to relax.
A nice drop of wine while you bathe also works wonders when you want to wind down.
