It’s Friday, a great excuse to grab you favorite book and soak for as long as you want while the bubbles relax you and your book takes you to far off places.  I thought that I would use this article to explore the art of the bath.  To understand how to prepare a perfect bath and to learn the different types of baths that one can prepare.

1.     The Basics

Drawing the perfect bath is an art in and of itself.  After all, something so soothing, relaxing, and calming has to have certain ingredients.  Here are the main ingredients:

  • Temperature: Approximately 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius)
  • Duration: 20-30 minutes
  • Lighting: Dim

II.     The Cleopatra Bath: Milk & Honey

cleopatra-milk-bath

Cleopatra’s soft, silky smooth skin was not luck.  The Egyptian beauty credited its perfection to regular milk and honey baths. Honey has whole host of soothing antibacterial properties while milk has high vitamin and mineral content and combined, it’s an unbeatable combination. Add 1 ½ cups of milk (or milk powder) and half a cup of honey to warm water and stir. Make sure the water is not too hot as both milk and honey lose their medicinal properties when boiled.

III.  Post Workout: Epsom Salts

Workout Bath

Help your hardworking body repair itself post-workout by adding Epsom salts to a warm bath. Absorbed straight through the skin, Epsom Salt may help replenish the magnesium your body lost during your workout which will help you to feel better. (via WebMD)

IV.     Rest & Relaxation: Lavender Oil

Rest & Relaxation Bath

The light and fresh aroma of lavender oil has a multitude of health benefits and has been known to treat everything from migraines, emotional stress and anxiety right through to dry skin and digestion problems. Add 6-8 drops of essential lavender oil into a warm bath, close your eyes and let the relaxation wash over you.

V.     Peace & Happiness: Grapefruit Oil

Peace & Happiness Bath

The uplifting citric scent of grapefruit has been rumored to stimulate the endocrine glands, which produce beneficial hormones that help increase energy, alertness and stamina levels.

VI.     Memory & Focus: Peppermint Oil

Memory & Focus Bath

If you find yourself in a mid-morning slump craving another caffeine hit to help you power through your morning, try taking a peppermint oil bath first  instead. The spicy scent might just wake up your mind to boost and improve a whole host of cognitive functions like memory and concentration.