The health benefits of taking a bath

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. It’s observed every year with the objective of raising awareness and mobilising support for mental health.

Self-care is an important part of mental health and well-being. For World Mental Health Day,

We all know that taking a bath can be relaxing on your muscles after a long day or after exercise, but research shows that a good bath can also have a significant impact on your mind.

According to researchers at at the University of Freiburg in Germany, having a bath can actually have as much impact on your mood as physical exercise. After comparing the effects of taking regular hot baths on 45 patients suffering from severe to moderate depression it was found that relaxing in the hot water significantly improved their mental health in a positive way.

The trial which took place over eight-week had the subjects randomly assigned to either soak in a bath at 40 degree Celsius for up to 30 minutes twice a week or to take part in two 45-50 minute sessions of moderately intense aerobic exercise.

Exercise is a commonly recommended aid for improving mental wellbeing, with the NHS saying it can be used to treat mild depression because it can “cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help to positively change our mood.”

The researchers measured the participants’ mood and found that those who took regular baths saw a significant improvement in their depression score, a reduction of nearly six points, compared to a three-point improvement for those who exercised, suggesting bathing regularly may well be a more effective means of helping to treat depression.

The highlighted in the study that patients who bathed began to see a substantial improvement in their mood after the first two weeks of treatment, while exercising took longer to have a significant effect.

So go and run yourself a warm bath, and have some ‘me-time’. These few simple tips, can help you transform your bathroom into a relaxing haven.

1. Invest in some calming scents
   Various essential oils such as ginger, eucalyptus, peppermint, rose, and lavender can have calming effects and can reduce stress and anxiety it can also be used to help promote a restful sleep. Essential oils can cause skin irritation or even allergic reactions, so consider using a diffuser rather than adding them to your bath directly. If you want to add them to the water, use just a few drops – and that they are from a trusted brand.
2. Add some greenery
   Inject some nature into your bathroom, with some plants to create a tropical paradise. Be sure to use plants that can cope with the bathroom environment.
3. Lighting
   Dimming the lights is always better for lowering stress, or just simply light a candle to create a calm and cosy atmosphere.
4. Leave your phone in another room
   Have a tech-break. Instead of using your phone, grab your favourite book or magazine and relax.
5. Use a bath pillow
   Using a bath pillow so you can take your bathing experience to the next level of comfort—especially if you have neck or back pain. These are usually secured in place with suction cups to make them non-slip and easy to remove.
6. Heat your Towels
   Nothing pulls you out of your relaxed state more than the cold air and a cold towel once you stand out of your bath. That’s why we recommend a heated towel rail to place your bath robe and towels on. A soft, warm towel means you’re guaranteed to remain warm and relaxed, carrying the bathing experience on afterwards.
7. Music
   Choose a relaxing playlist – you’ll find that Spotify has some great relaxing playlists. It depends on your mood, but try to find something relaxing, calm, and positive.