Looking to relieve stress without leaving the house? We’ve got you. Head to your pantry, grab these items, and then fill up the bath!
We recommend bath water temperatures between 95°F to 100°F / 35°C to 37°C for maximum effectiveness. Take deep breaths and enjoy a moment of relaxation.
Epsom Salts
Benefits: The main benefit of Epsom salts is magnesium, which releases when Epsom salt is dissolved in water.
Magnesium is vastly underrated, often deficient, and the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. It’s been used for hundreds of years to treat conditions such as insomnia, fibromyalgia, and constipation. Today, magnesium is a resource used to fight anxiety and mood swings. It’s also a natural muscle soother and athletic performance enhancer as it helps with circulatory health, blood pressure, and nerve function.
Use: Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes.
Before/After: Be sure to drink extra water when you’re done as baths with Epsom salt can be dehydrating and detoxifying.
Baking Soda
Benefits: The main benefit of baking soda is to treat skin irritations - be it eczema, pH imbalances, psoriasis, even the chicken pox.
Baking soda soothes and relieves, it purifies, detoxes, and boosts immunities.
Use: Add between 5 tablespoons to 2 cups of baking soda to the bath. The amount depends on the condition you wish to treat. Swirl it around to dissolve. Soak for 10 to 40 minutes.
Before: Be sure to drink extra water when you’re done as baths with baking soda can also be dehydrating.
After: To get rid of remaining toxins and residue rinse off and exfoliate with a loofah or washcloth.
Almond Oil
Benefits: Almond oil has a whole slew of benefits, as it’s filled with vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper. It’s also packed with antioxidants, and is anti-inflammatory, and immunity boosting.
Almond oil in your hair softens and strengthens. It penetrates strands with biotin and protects with a natural SPF.
Use: Add 1- 2 tablespoons of almond oil to the bath, or a tablespoon to your hair in a mask-like fashion.
You can also use it to help lighten under eye circles by gently massaging a small amount under your eyes before going to bed at night (repeat for several weeks). It should increase blood circulation and decrease inflammation.
Before: Check whether your oil is pure, cold pressed, and ideally organic.
After: Be sure to drink a little extra water to re-hydrate.
Coconut Oil
Benefits: Coconut Oil is 90% saturated fat with small amounts of mono and polyunsaturated fats which have antimicrobial properties.
As a result, coconut oil helps with several skin issues including acne, cellulitis, folliculitis, and athletes’ foot. It’s said that coconut oil can also prevent hair breakage, tame frizz, and cure dandruff through anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Even if you aren’t fighting a skin condition, coconut oil can be great for improving hydration, especially in dry winter weather. It can even help heal cracked skin.
Use: Add 1- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the bath or a tablespoon to your hair in a mask-like fashion.
After: Be sure to drink a little extra water to re-hydrate.
Essential Oil Bath Add-Ons
Even if you don’t have a diffuser in every room, there’s a good chance you have at least one essential oil in your house. Any of which are great to add to plain bath water, or on top of baking soda, almond oil, coconut oil, or Epsom salts.
Use: Add 1-5 drops of essential oil to the bath water. If you don’t have a bathtub, a few drops of essential oil can be added to shower walls to have similar effects.
Lavender: Easily accessible and palatable, lavender is beneficial for calming the body both physically and emotionally. It’s also great for relieving headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.
Peppermint: Peppermint is great at relieving sinus congestion, improving digestion, relieving nausea, and increasing blood-flow.
Rosemary: Less universal in bath products, rosemary is great for relieving aches and boosting the immune system.
Lemon: Lemon is a favorite flavor and scent, great at improving circulation and lymphatic flow. It’s antibacterial and antiviral. And of course, can improve mood.
Sources
Disclaimer: while we have a multitude of great resources at our fingertips, please be sure to do your own research, factor in age, health, and talk to your doctor. No matter how natural items are, new substances can cause skin irritations and reactions. It’s always a good idea to test ingredients on a small bit of skin.
Magnesium: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/epsom-salt-benefits-uses#benefits
Baking Soda: https://www.healthline.com/health/baking-soda-bath#purpose
Almond Oil: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/almond-oil#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/almond-oil-for-dark-circles#uses
Coconut Oil: https://www.healthline.com/health/baking-soda-and-coconut-oil
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-skin#section4
Essential Oils: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-essential-oils#benefits
