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Hot baths have long been considered a self-care ritual.
Relaxing by soaking in warm water is as ancient as it is common across culturesfromJapanese Onsensto Ancient Roman baths.
It turns out, there is a myriad of health benefits to hot baths.
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They help reduce stress, relieve sore muscles, improve skin, and more.
Hot baths are simple in practice.
you might choose to head to your nearestspaor create your own experienceat home.
Incorporating the practice as part of your nighttime routine can also help your brain associate this ritual with bedtime.
Just as we give our children bedtime routines, we can do the same for ourselves.
It Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Baths are mindful in practice.
They help ease the mind and help you connect with the present moment.
A hot bath can create a great environment for escape and mediation from everyday stressors, says Dr. Perlus.
Baths were found to improve both the physical and emotional aspects of life.
This releases muscle tightness, relieves pain, and improves the elasticity of connective tissues.
It Improves Skin
Baths may help soothe and calm redness for those prone to skin irritation.
If you have sensitive skin, you should take lukewarm baths instead.
You may follow the “Soak and Seal” method suggested by the National Eczema Association.
Dry by gently patting a towel and leave your skin slightly damp.
Then, apply moisturizer within three minutes so you can avoid dry skin.
A study found bath oil to be an effective way of targeting dry skin when used in routine skin-care.
It also helps those with most dry skin conditions.
You may add essential oils to your bath for an additional booster.
A hot bath may also help you breathe easier.
Submerging in water past your chest can help with your oxygen intake, she adds.
This is why hot baths are often considered to help improve heart health.
In the same vein, the practice may help lower blood pressure.
Important to note
Bathing for long periods of time at high temperatures is not recommended for everyone.
Consult your general practitioner if you’re interested in partaking in the practiceespecially if you have a health condition.
In other words, hot baths may help boost your immune system.
Having an elevated body temperature was found to help certain types of immune cells work better.
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Before-bedtime passive body heating by warm shower or bath to improve sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
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The effectiveness of using a bath oil to reduce signs of dry skin: A randomized controlled pragmatic study.
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