
You come home from a long day’s work, start stripping down immediately to get into your “comfy” clothes, and grab a seat on your couch!
Ahhh…This is what you’ve been waiting to do all day! This is the typical daily scenario, however, once in a while, it’s nice to take things one step further!
The best way to unwind and let all your worries melt away is to run a nice hot bath and soak for 15-20 minutes. And while your body and mind drift away to your Zen place, some pretty remarkable things are happening within you.
Benefits of Hot Baths
- Improves blood circulation
- Aids in improving cardiovascular health → Water exerts pressure on your body which places a demand on the heart to increase cardiac volume. Simply put, the heart gets a light cardio workout.
- Helps you get better sleep → Hot bath water increases your body's temperature. When you get out and slip in between cold bed sheets, you will experience a drop in body temperature. This drastic change of temperature triggers your body to produce melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleep.
- Relieves muscle aches by eliminating lactic acid build-up
- Relieves headaches → Headaches are often caused by constricted vessels. During a hot bath soak, vasodilation occurs, which could help cure your headache.
- Lowers blood sugar levels, which could assist in losing some weight
- Opens up pores and releases dirt and toxins
- Reduces anxiety
- Helps loosen up dead skin cells, exposing soft new skin underneath
- Relieves itch caused by psoriasis → Just add a few drops of coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil to your bath water.
- Soothes dry winter skin → Fill a clean sock with oats & tie loose end with an elastic. Toss it in your bath water and notice the calming, soothing effect while you soak.
- Decongests nasal passages when you have a cold
- Helps boost your immune system → Hot baths can stimulate your blood vessels and lymphatic system to generate a greater number of immune cells that fight off infections.
Precautions:
* Don't soak for more than 15-20 minutes at a time.
* If you have a heart condition, first consult with your doctor about taking hot baths.
* Drink plenty of fluids during and after a hot bath to prevent dehydration.
*Hot baths are not recommended for pregnant women.