When I was a kid, I didn’t understand that taking a bath was a luxury. Now that I have kids of my own, I truly understand the value of long showers and the ever elusive bath.
Baths force us to do absolutely nothing but be still. Because stillness is so rare in most of our lives, it feels like a major indulgence. I take my bath a bunch of different ways - just water, with a bath bomb, with bubbles, with epsom salt...there are just so many different ways to experience this opulence.
When I need my bath to be more restorative, I opt for a detox bath. A detox bath can provide a number of benefits:
- Draw out toxins.
- Lower stress.
- Balance pH levels.
- Help you sleep better.
- Reduce muscle pain and inflammation.
What are toxins?
Every day, we come in contact with a number of pollutants, chemicals, metals and processed foods that can affect our well-being. Our bodies eliminate some of this on its own through the liver, kidney, digestive system, skin and lungs. We help the body along by staying hydrated, limiting alcohol, getting rest, eating a healthy balanced diet, and being physically active. A detox bath naturally gives our system an added umph to help the body purge the toxins.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- ¼ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup sea salt
- 2 cups epsom salt
- 10 drops essential oil (I like lavender)
- LOTS of drinking water
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Run your water as hot as you can stand it. Remember, the hotter your water, the more you’ll sweat out those toxins.
- Add all of your ingredients to the running water.
- Once the water is at the level you desire, get on in there. You want as much of your body immersed as possible.
- Soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- This is a great time to do some deep breathing and mindful meditations.
- Drink lots of water while you’re in the tub.
- Climb out very carefully. Dry off and moisturize.
- You may continue to sweat for about 30 minutes or so.
NOTE:
- If you start feeling sick/nauseous or extremely lightheaded, try cooling off or shorten your time in the tub.
- You may feel a bit lightheaded when you are getting out of the tub, but this should subside.
- Your heart rate may also be elevated, which happens when you submerge yourself in hot water.
- Remember that your pores are wide open after a detox bath, so avoid soaps and skin treatments with lots of chemicals - don’t waste your detox.
- The measurements for this detox are intended for adults.
