By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features,
After a hard day (work, kids, finances, life), soaking in a custom calming bath is a well-deserved treat you can indulge in at home. With a bit of prep beforehand, you can devise a soothing bath that nourishes your entire being. While preparing your bath, keep the five senses in mind (sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste); they should all play a role in creating your special bath. Here’s how to do it:
Remove distractions
Take a look around the bathroom: Is there anything, such as your child’s bath toys or a pile of dirty towels on the floor, that would ruin the spa-like atmosphere you hope to create? Move those things out!
Give the tub a good scrub
Before filling the tub with water, take a few moments to scrub away any dirt, dog hair and soap scum. Having a sparkling clean tub will put you in the right mood from the start.
Turn off the overhead lights
Nothing can kill a relaxing setting like a bright light shining down from above. Instead, create a low-key mood by lighting candles. If you want a movie-set look, light a dozen candles all around the room; if not, light just one candle for a spare but still dramatic effect.
Choose a mild scent
Pick a scent you like and make it the theme fragrance for your bath experience. Flowery scents such as rose, jasmine, chamomile, and lavender won’t overwhelm you or the room.
Get a pillow
Check out bath pillows if you’d like to lean against a wall while in the tub but worry your neck and back aren’t being supported. Many are made of soft foam and covered with mesh to take the stress off your body so you can get comfy.
Think about add-ins
Another way to customize your bath: Add a natural food product you likely already have in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Oats can soothe irritated or inflamed skin when added to bath water (put a half-cup in a blender or food processor to make a fine powder). A cup of Epsom salt (stirred in bath water until it dissolves) relaxes muscles. Olive oil will moisturize skin (add up to 4 tablespoons under running water).
Listen to tranquil tunes
Set up your Spotify for artists whose style will have a calming effect on you, such as Adele, John Legend, and Norah Jones.
Figure out the proper water temperature
Hot water is crucial to your bath experience, so play around with it until it feels exactly right (but don’t make it so hot it scalds your skin!). Pour some champagne, settle in the tub and enjoy the calm!