This DIY Is The Unexpected Solution To Your Sleep Problems

Taking a relaxing bath isn’t just good for your mental state, it’s good for your body too! Studies have shown that heat therapy in the form of saunas and baths can help reduce blood pressure and improve other symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

Another study found that hot tub therapy helped Type 2 diabetics lose weight, sleep better, and experience higher levels of well-being. And even if you don’t have cardiovascular disease or diabetes, a hot bath does a body good!

Today I’ll be showing you how to make a simple bath soak that is designed to ease tension and inflammation in your body and relax your mind. Your nighttime soaks in the tub are about to get a whole lot more relaxing! :-)

What Is A Bath Soak?

For the purposes of this post, I’m defining a bath soak as “something you add to your bathwater.” However, unlike its close cousin bubble bath, a bath soak generally doesn’t produce bubbles or lather in the tub.

The bath soak that I’ll be showing you how to make today couldn’t be simpler! It’s made up of just two ingredients: Epsom salt and essential oils. Here’s a quick overview of what these ingredients bring to the table (or in this case, the bathtub):

• Epsom Salt – Also called “magnesium sulfate,” Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe soreness, reduce bruising, and even improve skin conditions like sunburn.
• Slumber Essential Oil Blend – This relaxing blend contains lavender, cedarwood, lime, bergamot, marjoram, and vetiver essential oils, which can help ease away stress and promote restful sleep!

(Author’s Note: If you’d like, you can swap out the Epsom salt for magnesium flakes, which provide more of the magnesium that supports many of our body’s vital functions! But since magnesium flakes are both more expensive and harder to find than Epsom salt, I’ve decided to focus on Epsom salt for this particular post.)

How To Make Your Own Relaxing Bath Soak

Ingredients:

2 cups Epsom salt
20 drops Slumber essential oil blend

Directions:

Add the Epsom salt and essential oils to a jar and screw the lid on. Shake well to combine the ingredients, then leave the lid on until you’re ready to use it.

This recipe makes enough bath soak mixture for two uses. Feel free to adjust the amounts to make more or less as needed!

How To Use Your Bath Soak

Add one cup of the bath soak mixture to a tub full of warm (not hot) water and stir to dissolve. Then sit back and relax while you soak for 20–30 minutes.

Following your relaxing bath, rinse your skin with cool water. Pat yourself dry with a clean towel, and then it’s off to sleep!

Bonus Tip: Add an equal amount of fractionated coconut oil (or your preferred carrier oil) to a handful of your bath soak mixture to make a nourishing and exfoliating body scrub!

Customize It With Optional Add-Ins

One reason the recipe I provided is so simple is that it makes it easy to customize! Don’t be afraid to experiment by adding different essential oils, herbs, flowers, colors, and other ingredients to your bath soak.

Here are a few things you might consider adding:

• Food coloring (for color)
• Powdered milk (for softer skin)
• Dried flower petals (for added luxury)
• Apple cider vinegar (to soothe itchiness)
• Bentonite clay (for detox)

4 Bonus Tips For Making The Most Of Your Bath Time

Unlike bath time for the kids, bath time for you should be a peaceful, quiet, and deeply relaxing experience. Here are some tips that will help you maximize your bath time and its benefits!

Tip #1 – Take Your Time

Set aside 30 minutes to an hour for your soak. Anything shorter is rushing it, so take the time to relax!

Tip #2 – No Phone Zone

Leave your phone outside of the bathroom during bath time. You’ll find it easier to relax if you’re not checking your phone (or accidentally dropping it in the tub.)

Tip #3 – Set The Mood

Create a spa-like environment by dimming the lights, lighting a few candles, and queuing up some relaxing music.

Tip #4 – Make It A Habit

Create a weekly bath ritual for yourself and make time for it. For instance, some people like to take Sunday night baths to help them recharge for the week ahead!

How often do you enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub?