Recently, a friend posted on social media about how she gets bored taking baths. Many people began commenting on her post in agreement and I was so surprised! I LOVE taking baths and have been doing so ever since I was a little girl pretending to be The Little Mermaid. I offered some suggestions for improving her bath experience and thought I would share my tips with Her Campus readers as well!
First, consider your purpose before popping in the tub. Are you wanting to use a bath to get clean or to relax? Personally, I take baths to unwind and have some “me” time not necessarily to get clean. In fact, I’ll usually take a quick shower before setting my bath up, so I don’t have to worry about sitting in dirty bath water. I know it may sound like a lot of work, but I promise it’s worth the hassle versus trying to wash your hair laying down under the faucet or with sitting bath water.
You can use bath salts, bath oils, bubble bath, or a bath bomb. Bath bombs are my favorite because they stimulate multiple senses; they smell great and are visually pleasing to watch dissolve. I highly recommend including Epsom salt to soothe sore muscles. Lush has an amazing assortment of cruelty-free and natural products to enhance your experience. Experiment with different scents and products to find your perfect combination for relaxing. Personally, I like using a bath bomb with scented candles in the room.
One other consideration is how to entertain yourself. It’s awesome if you can completely relax on your own with no other stimulation than the warm water and scents around you, but I am not like that. Therefore, I’ll set my laptop on a chair or stool, far away from water, and let Netflix roll. Alternatively, I might bring a book into the tub or even play a Podcast on my phone. You might also consider playing a guided meditation while you relax in the water.
Temperature is another area where people struggle. Depending on your tub and water heater situation, you might find a different combination of things will help. If you have an electric water heater or one that refills quickly, you can stay a little cooler and add water throughout. Personally, I will run the water as hot as I possibly can so it stays warm throughout the bath. If it’s simply too hot, I might open the bathroom door to let some of the steam escape or I’ll add some cooler water to the tub. Don’t be afraid to try different things to be comfortable!
While I recommend showering before your bath, I do encourage you to use some baths to thoroughly scrub every inch of your body or to do a moisturizing treatment designed for in shower use and/or apply a body lotion or body butter post-bath. Soaking in the tub is also a great time to use exfoliants. As we approach summer, exfoliation is key in maintaining smooth skin for faux tans and short season!
To sum up this article, here are key tips to enjoying your bath:
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Shower to clean yourself beforehand
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Baths are for relaxation, not necessarily to get clean (though that’s a pleasant side effect)
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Try different combinations of products to enhance your experience!
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Shower radios are still a thing
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Don’t be afraid of entertaining yourself; podcasts, audiobooks, Netflix on your laptop… you get the picture!
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Ever heard of shower beer?
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Or shower wine?
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Candles are an inexpensive way to “set the mood” for self-care in the tub and out
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Bath bombs are fun, but won’t last the entire bath
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Get out when you’re pruney or don’t! You decide!
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Pro move: Have a big plushy robe to get into afterward
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Recommended before bed
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Take care of yourself before, during, and after your bath!