Self-care does not need to involve an elaborate number of steps or products. Self-care, after all, is all about doing something that you enjoy. It should refuel you, too. Follow these 15 simple steps for a relaxing candlelit bath.
15 Steps For A Relaxing Candlelit Bath
1. Declutter Your Bathroom
Clutter causes or contributes to stress—this is a fact of life. So, before you start your self-care session, set yourself up for greatness by decluttering your bathroom a bit. Take out the trash, put away dirty laundry or towels, clean up the skin or toilet, and so on. You don’t need to do a thorough cleaning, a little bit of tidying up will help a lot.
2. Prepare The Essentials
Gather everything you will need to set up your relaxing bath. You may also want to plan out what you want to do during your bath. The basics of a relaxing bath are:
Your favorite essential oils
Warm your towel and bathrobe in a drier or radiator
Drinks and snacks (water is a must!)
If you want to read, you could also bring a book or a magazine with you.
3. Set Up Your Bath Playlist
Music is great for setting the right ambience. However, music is also a great tool for stress management. Classical music has been proven to help slow down pulse rates and decrease stress levels, but you could play other instrumental music to mimic the spa vibe or choose your own relaxing music. Set up your playlist as well as the volume prior to getting into your bath so you don’t have to fuss with your phone once you get inside the bath.
4. Dim the lights and set up candles
Lighting also has an effect on our body. Bright overhead lighting, such as those you find in offices, are meant to keep the body active and productive. In contrast, low lights, which signals night time to your body, encourages relaxation. This is the main reason why warm baths are popular for relaxation. Strategically position the candles around your bath so you can see properly while avoiding fire hazards.
5. Take A Quick Shower
A quick shower will get rid of all the dirt and grime that accumulated in your body throughout the day. You would not want to soak for 15 minutes in water filled with dirt and grime, wouldn’t you? That would be counterproductive.
6. Draw Your Bath
After your shower, you can start drawing your bath. Warm baths offer numerous benefits like helping muscles release tension, fighting off fatigue, and promoting better sleep. A warm bath is always the best for relaxation, however take care not to make your bath hot. Test the water with your hand first before getting in to make sure it is just the right temperature.
7. Add Bath Salt And Essential Oil
Once you have achieved the right water temperature for your bath, add in your choice of bath salt. The Deep Relaxation Bath Salt and the Detox Bath Soak are great options for a relaxing bath, but there are other options at Better Bath Better Body, too. These bath soaks are infused with essential oils, but you could always add more essential oils to your bath if you wish.
8. Put Your Phone Away Or In Silent Mode
If you are truly dedicated to having a relaxing me-time, consider putting your phone out of reach or put it in silent mode. You’ll avoid the challenging temptation to check your phone or scroll through social media and the possibility of being interrupted by a work call or message.
9. Put On Face Mask
Face masks have a way of promoting relaxation, which makes them a great complement to baths. You will be moisturizing your face with the face mask while also moisturizing your skin with the bath soak.
10, Draw Your Curtains
It is finally time to step in to your bath! Once you’re in, close your shower curtains. This step allows the warm steam and the aromatherapy stay within your bath. Additionally, this will add a barrier between you and outside distractions like your phone.
11. Relax
To get the most out of your relaxing bath, you need to be proactive about relaxation. During your 15-minute soak, don’t think about your work or other responsibilities and focus on either clearing your mind or filling it with positive thoughts. Here are other relaxing things to do in the bath.
12. Meditate
Meditating is a great activity to do while bathing. People who had difficulty meditating often find that practicing meditation in the bath helps them concentrate. If you followed the steps to a relaxing bath so far, you bath should be conducive to meditation. You can follow a guided meditation or simply focus on clearing your mind or on a mantra.
13. Exfoliate
In the last five minutes of your bath, take the time to exfoliate. Use the exfoliator of your choice, but make sure it's a gentle one. If you don’t have one, take BBBB’s bath salt and use that to exfoliate.
14. Moisturize
After you step out of the bath, dry yourself and put on lotion and your usual moisturizer. Do all this while inside the bath, when your pores are in optimal condition to absorb them all. The lotion and moisturizer are the cherry on top to your night of self-care.
15. Take A Nap Or Sleep For The Night
The best time to nap or sleep is after a bath, when your body is in a relaxed state. Take advantage of this by taking a nap or sleeping in for the night. You are guaranteed to have deep, restful sleep.
Follow these simple steps to a relaxing candlelit bath to de-stress and feel rejuvenated. Get your basic supplies for a relaxing bath at Better Bath Better Body.
