Relaxing bath - treat yourself!

Baths can truly invigorate the entire body. Depending on the water temperature you choose and the ingredients you add, it can be revitalizing or relaxing, warming or refreshing. Regular bathing for relaxation, if done according to all the rules, helps to strengthen the immune system and get rid of many diseases.

Baths are divided into several varieties:

• cold - up to 20 degrees;
• cool - up to 30 degrees;
• indifferent - up to 35 degrees;
• warm - to 38 degrees;
• hot - from 39 degrees.

Since our article focuses on the relaxing effect of baths, we are primarily interested in warm baths, because this is the temperature of the water promotes relaxation.

What happens to the human body when taking a warm bath for relaxation?

• On the immersed body is much less gravitational force. Consequently, less stress on the musculoskeletal system, relieves muscle tension.
• In a relaxed body, blood flow is normalized. It is redistributed in a new way, resulting in less congestion in the arms and legs. The increased blood flow to the heart has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system.
• Under the influence of warm water, the skin pores open and are freed from sweat, fat and dirt. The color of the skin is smoothed, it becomes smoother and silkier.
• If you take a bath with the addition of minerals, medicinal herbs and other useful preparations, it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Therapeutic bathing helps to combat stress, insomnia, lethargy and irritability.

Contraindications to such baths are:

• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• infections;
• various tumors;
• pregnancy;
• Violation of the integrity of the skin;
• allergic reactions;
• bleeding.

You should consult a doctor before taking baths.

You can take a bath at any time of the day, but if you want to achieve exactly the effect of relaxation, it is better to do it in the evening, before going to bed. The optimal time of staying in a warm bath is half an hour. Make sure that the bath does not cool down, periodically adding hot water.

To gain energy before the start of the day, you need to lie in cool water or stand under a contrasting shower. You should not stay in cool or hot water for more than 10 minutes as this can lead to cooling or overheating of the body and, thus, provoke a worsening of various diseases. Hot baths in general is allowed only to absolutely healthy people.

The healing effect of a relaxation bath will be even more noticeable if a variety of beneficial additives are used. Medicinal components can have tonic, cosmetic or healing effects.

• Sea salt has a disinfecting effect, so taking a salt bath accelerates the healing of pimples, abrasions and scratches. The main thing is that you should not add salt to the water if there are open wounds on the body, otherwise the effect will be completely opposite.
• Essential oils Soften and nourish the skin. In addition, inhalation with essential oils has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. Inhaling certain aromas can activate or calm the nervous activity.
• Bathing Foam not only gives an incredibly pleasant tactile sensation, but also, thanks to special ingredients, makes the water softer. You can choose any scent you like, such as chocolate, berry, floral, etc.
• Herbs have a wide range of effects. Some of them help relieve stress, others - to improve the condition of the skin, and others - to strengthen the immune system and cope with many diseases.

Sea salt has been famous for its healing properties from the earliest times. Not without reason now, as well as a few centuries ago, doctors often recommend debilitated patients to improve their health at sea. Organize sea bathing can be done at home. All that is needed for this - go to the nearest pharmacy or cosmetic store and buy a pack of sea salt.

It should be noted that in pharmacies usually sold sea salt without any additives. It can be used not only for bathing, but also for gargling the throat or rinsing the nose. Salt sold in cosmetics and perfume departments often contains various fragrances and dyes, so it can be used only for cosmetic procedures.

To prepare such a bath you need to add 5 to 15 drops of essential oil in warm water. Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy - treatment with aromatic substances derived from plants.

Almost any fruit or plant can have a certain healing effect on the body:

• Valerian Valerian: Valerian can help soothe and remove insomnia. This is best taken shortly before sleep;
• Sandalwood Sandalwood has two effects: on the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• Rose Rose helps to overcome depression, gives peace and tranquility;
• Patchouli corrects cosmetic skin imperfections, invigorates and soothes at the same time;
• Bitter Orange Is a good tranquilizer as it helps to quickly calm down. In addition, it has a restorative effect.
• Melissa Helps to relieve pain, and is also recommended to people suffering from lung diseases.
• Lavender is used to soothe pain in the muscles and joints. Such a bath is very relaxing, so it is recommended to take it before going to bed.

In stores there is a large selection of bath foams with different composition and fragrance. In order to get not only a large amount of fluffy and fragrant foam, but also at least a minimal healing effect, it is better to choose more expensive means, from proven manufacturers.

We recommend looking at bath foams that contain natural ingredients such as plant extracts:

• Aloe vera extracts can help give your skin a healthy color and firmness, as well as relieve inflammation.
• Coconut oil has a moisturizing, nourishing and softening effect and also has a pleasant, "delicious" smell.
• The peach or peach oil in the product helps to relieve fatigue and irritation, and has a beneficial effect on the skin.

To get as much foam as possible, the product should be poured directly under the pounding stream of water from the faucet. After the foam bath is recommended to rinse with clean warm water.

Glycerin has an excellent softening effect, so if you add a little of this substance in the bath, you can get rid of dry skin, giving it a healthy, even color. After a bath with glycerin your skin will be softer and silkier.

Glycerin is available over-the-counter at any drugstore and is very inexpensive. You will need 400 grams of glycerin for one treatment. Add the first 200 grams to a half-filled warm water bath, then add more water and add the remaining glycerin. It is better to wait a few minutes before taking a dip in the bath so that the substance is well mixed with the water.

According to legends, the bath with milk was taken even by the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Of course, not every woman is able to bring several tens of liters of milk, heat it and fill the bathtub with it. Therefore, we offer you a more simple and affordable recipe.

Mix 2 liters of warm milk with 4 tablespoons of honey and leave it for 10 minutes. While the mixture is infusing, fill the bathtub 1/3 full with warm water and dissolve in it a glass of common table salt. Then pour the milk and honey mixture into the water and proceed with the water treatment. Milk contains vitamins B and E, which are known for their rejuvenating effects. Milk baths can improve the condition of the skin as well as regulate nervous activity.

An orange bath is good for your skin because it opens up and cleanses your pores. Useful substances contained in the orange, penetrate deep into the skin, having antiseptic and cosmetic effect.

To prepare such a bath, you will need a few oranges, about a kilo. You need to squeeze the juice of fruit and mix it with 3-4 tablespoons of good olive oil. Add the ready mixture to a bathtub filled with warm water.

Lemon bath relaxes and detoxifies the body. In addition, lemon juice is good for brightening the skin, so taking these baths regularly helps to even out skin tone and get rid of minor cosmetic blemishes.

You will need the peel of three large lemons. It is removed very easily - with a fine grater. Then you need to dry the zest. It may take a couple of days, so you should prepare for the procedure in advance. Half an hour before taking a bath, pour boiling water over the dry zest. After the mixture has infused, pour it into a warm bath.

Bran has an exfoliating effect, and in addition, well nourish and moisturize the skin. For such a bath you can use wheat, corn, oat or almond bran. To prepare the broth of bran is very simple: 30 grams of product should be poured over 250 ml of cold water, put on low heat and wait until it boils. After the mixture cools, it must be strained and added to the bath with warm water.

There is another version of preparing such a bath: bran should be put in a bag of gauze or canvas and steamed in boiling water for a few minutes. Then tie the sack to the hole of the spout so that a stream of water passes through it. Fill the tub with water through this sack, changing the temperature from hot to cool.

• During the relaxing bath in the room should be a comfortable temperature - about 35 degrees and above. Take care that you do not get wind - close the door and window (if any).
• To have a stronger healing effect of useful additives, take a shower before taking a dip in the tub.
• It is not recommended to carry out water procedures immediately after eating. Wait at least a couple of hours.
• Do not take a bath during your critical days.
• Try to control your thoughts: no need to analyze the events of the past day, it's better just to dream.
• If you don't feel like taking a bath today, don't do it. A relaxing bath should evoke only positive emotions, otherwise it will have no effect.
• The duration should not be more than 40 minutes (20 minutes is more than enough).
• While soaking in a relaxing bath you can rub yourself with a stiff washcloth. The skin will be cleaned from dead cells, it will look younger and firmer.
• The best way to finish your bath is to apply a moisturizing cream, body milk or lotion.
• After a relaxing bath, you should ideally go to bed. If you carried out the procedure in the daytime, just lie down for 15-20 minutes.