I gotta admit, I love to mix some 'me time' with a good hot bath - and no, it's not a 'girly' thing... You can say what you want but I am a HUGE fan of just having a good hot soak in the tub - especially after a really good workout or a long day of delivering massage. I don't always get the time to indulge, but when I do, I make sure my bath does double duty to help heal and detox my system. Detox baths have been around for centuries and can be used to help the body absorb much needed minerals and nutrients, thereby easing sore muscles and speeding recovery from injury or intense workouts. Plus, they are easiest things to prepare and most of the time, when I'm feeling lazy, I'll opt to just putting 2 to 3 heaping cups of plain old epsome salt in the tub and let the hot running water dissolve the crystals before I get in. However, if I'm exceptionally sore or stressed, I need something with a little "extra" in it... So, I mix a concoction of ingredients you can find in just about any grocery store. Here's what you'll will need:
Epsom salt (at least 2 cups - more if you have a large tub)
Baking soda (1-2 cups)
Sea salt or Himalayan salt (1/4 cup)
Apple Cider Vinegar (1/4 cup)
Essential oils (any fragrance, but I like rosemary & eucalyptus - about 20 drops each)
Here's how you do it:
Throw all that stuff into a bathtub filled with tolerably hot water and climb in.
[note] Make sure you are well hydrated before starting because the heat and minerals in the bath will pull toxins out through your skin - and that process can be very dehydrating.
Now the best part of this whole process comes after you've settled in. You just... Breathe. Relax. Calm your mind. You can listen to music or do some casual reading if you want, but I tend to use the time to close my eyes, soak quietly, listen to my breathing, and my heartbeat, and meditate... Silent. Sound good? Wanna give it a try? If so, then I challenge you to find some time THIS WEEK to take at least one single, hot, 20-min soak using my homemade 'hot soak' recipe! I guarantee that not only will your muscles feel better for it but your mind will, too. Oh, and if you do take me up on this challenge, I want to know. Be sure to leave a comment below and feel free to add any tips you may have on how I could make my bath time better... or at least more manly ...
