Want to learn how to create a super relaxing self care bath?! Discover all the self care bath products and steps you need to follow to enjoy a calming bath for some much-needed TLC.
There's nothing like soaking in a tub to make all your problems go away (haha). No, but seriously, having a go-to self care bath routine you can follow can be a simple & effective way for you to destress.
Life can be HECTIC. Believe me, sometimes I feel like I'm constantly three steps behind, no matter how hard I try to get ahead on my to-do list. However, the last thing you want to constantly do is worry and get overwhelmed about ALL the things going on in your life.
You need a break, a time set aside in your schedule to practice your favorite self care ideas. Otherwise, you risk getting burnt out and feeling too stressed to do your best work.
In this article, you'll learn about one of my fav self care activities: a self care bath. Not only will you learn how to create the absolute best self care bath to feel nice & relaxed, but you'll discover all the products you need to have an enjoyable experience.
This post is all about how to create a relaxing self care bath.
How To Create The Best Self Care Bath Routine
Follow these steps to ensure your bath is PERFECT for an extra relaxing, well-deserved bath.
1. Intentionally Set Aside Time
The last thing you want to do is rush in and out of the tub.
Intentionally schedule out time (around 30 minutes) to have enough time to have a relaxing bath experience.
You don't need to spend hours in the tub; however, you also don't want to feel like you just jumped into the tub to clean yourself off. Otherwise, consider taking a quick shower instead.
2. Fill The Bath with your Preferred Water Temperature
Next, fill your bath up with your preferred water temperature.
You'll likely want your water just warm enough without being scolding hot.
3. Setup A Mini Oasis
Get creative if you want and decorate your bath tub to create a mini oasis.
Consider putting flower petals and candles around your tub for an added sense of ambiance.
4. Gather Your Self Care Bath Products
As your water is running, gather all the self care bath products.
Not sure what products you'll need?!
Read on to the end of this article to find out all the products you'll need for an enjoyable bath experience.
5. Add Epsom Salt & Bubble Bath
Although completely optional, adding Epsom salt and creating a bubble bath are added bonuses to make you feel extra relaxed soaking in the tub.
6. Light Your Candles & Dim Your Lights
Especially if you are using this bath as an opportunity to unwind before bed, consider dimming your bathroom lights (if you can) and lighting some candles.
This will help you feel tired and help you fall asleep faster for a better night's sleep.
7. Soak In Bath... Relax!
Once you're bath water is to the level you want (ensuring the water won't overflow when you lay in the tub), take the time to soak in the tub.
Don't feel the need to sit there for 5 minutes and rush out.
This is the time for you to relax and destress. Consider bringing some form of entertainment (i.e. book, journal, music) if you don't think you can just sit and relax for 15-20 minutes.
8. Use A Face Mask
Consider applying a face mask while your soak in the tub.
There's nothing like a little skin care to help you feel your best.
9. Do Your Body Care Routine
Consider doing your body care routine such as exfoliating your body with a body scrub and shaving.
Sometimes, when you are jumping in and out of the shower each day, it can be hard to find the time to thoroughly shave & exfoliate your entire body.
Therefore, take this time to do all the body care routine steps you normally don't have lots of time to do on a daily basis.
10. Dry Thoroughly
Once you've spent quality time relaxing, it's time to get out of the tub, dry yourself off, and drain the water from the bath tub.
11. Change into a Comfy Outfit & Pick Up Area
Finally, once you've thoroughly dried yourself off, change into a comfy outfit (robe, sweats, pj set) and pick up your bathroom and bath tub.
Put away any products you used and don't forget to blow out any candles you lit.
Self Care Bath Products You'll Need
In order to have the absolute best self care bath routine, you need all the right bath products to make you feel extra relaxed and comfortable.
1. Towel
First and foremost, you'll want a clean spare towel handy to dry yourself off with after you've taken your bath.
2. Change Of Comfy Clothes
Next, you'll also want to lay next to your towel a spare set of clothes to change into after your bath.
Some comfy clothes ideas to change into are:
- Sweats
- PJ Set
- Robe
3. Slippers
Consider having slippers next to your towel and spare clothes. This is because you 1) won't want to slip and fall on the wet floor and 2) to keep your feet extra warm and cozy.
4. Bathmat
The last thing you want to do is trip and fall getting into and out of the bath tub.
Ensure you have a bath mat next to your bath tub to soak up any excess water on your bathroom floor to prevent your from falling.
There are also soooo many cute bath mat designs on Amazon or Target to add to the overall style of your bathroom.
5. Bath Tray
A bath tray is a great way to have all your bath essentials on a dry surface and close by.
When you're all comfy cozy soaking in your tub, you obviously don't want to get up and grab your book on your bathroom counter.
Instead, a bath tray helps you easily use all your bath tub essentials without needing to leave the tub OR getting those items wet in the process.
6. Candles
Candles smell AMAZING and are a great way to set the mood and create a relaxing environment to unwind.
7. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt smells AMAZING and can help you relax your body.
Epsom salt is especially great to relax and remedy sore muscles and body aches & pains.
8. Bubble Bath
Consider creating a bubble bath for a bit of extra fun & relaxation during your self care bath routine.
9. Razor
Soaking in the tub is probably one of the best times to shave. This is because:
- You are sitting so you can more easily shave all parts of your body.
- The warm water will soften your hair follicles for a more clean and gentle shave.
- Sometimes when you're rushing to take a shower, you may not have enough time to do a proper shave (trust me, there's a big difference between a quick shave and taking your time with shaving).
P.S.: Consider using a five blade razor for a smooth & effective shaving experience.
10. Body Scrub
A body scrub is a great way to gently exfoliate your skin while you soak in the tub.
There are soooo many great scents to choose from on Amazon to find the exact right body scrub scent for your bath routine.
11. Body Wash
Use your normal body wash to thoroughly clean your entire body as you would during your typical shower routine.
12. Face Mask
Face masks are truly one of my TOP self care activities. And, there's nothing like doing 2 self care ideas at once!
So, next time you want to take a bath, consider applying a face mask to help you unwind and achieve effortlessly smooth, hydrated skin.
(More!) Self Care Bath Products You'll Love
If you think you'll get a bit bored soaking in a tub for 15-20 minutes alone with just your thoughts, consider these additional self care bath products.
1. Music
Listen to some music while you soak in the tub. Or, find a motivating and uplifting podcast to listen to & learn something new.
2. Snacks (& Drinks)
Bring your favorite snack and drink to enjoy while you're soaking in the tub.
3. Decor To Style Up Your Bath Tub
Consider getting some decor to add some style and make your bath look aesthetically pleasing.
Consider adding flower pedals to your bath and lighting some candles to place around your bath tub.
5. Journal
If you can never seem to find the time to journal... now's your chance!
Journaling is a great way to get all your thoughts down on paper and reflect upon your life.
If you're an avid overthinker and struggle with spiraling negative thought patterns, journaling can help put those thoughts down onto paper.
Journal provides the opportunity while you're in the tub to reflect and write those thoughts down to help you destress,
Even if you have nothing that's stressing you out, journaling can still be a great way to write down what happened to you during the past day or week. It can be really fun to look back at old journal entries and see how far you've grown as a person!
6. Book
Consider bringing a book your interested in and reading while you take a bath.
If you struggle to find ample time to read, this can be a great time to do so. Plus, you get to learn something new while you relax.
5 Benefits Of A Self Care Bath
There are soooo many physical and mental benefits of taking the time to take a relaxing bath.
1. Time To Relax
Obviously, a self care bath helps you destress and relax.
Think of the bath tub as a place you can decompress and not worry about the hundred and one things you need to do on your to do list.
Sometimes, when life gets so busy, it can be easy to get caught up on the "little things" and forget about what's most important in your life. Therefore, take this time to not just relax but center yourself around those things in life you truly value most.
2. Helps Improve Sleep Quality
If you struggle falling asleep most nights, consider taking a calming bath before bed.
It can be frustrating to jump into bed and be unable to fall asleep.
That's where taking a bath before bed can help you unwind so you get to slow down your mind and body in preparation for bedtime.
3. Helps With Body Aches and Pains
If you've been hitting the gym lately or just have aches and pains, a bath can help relieve these discomforts.
Consider especially adding Epsom salt into your self care bath routine. This is because Epsom salt is known for relieving muscle aches, pains, and soreness.
4. Time To Practice Skin Care Routine
Having a complete skin care routine is essential to achieve clear and radiant skin.
Consider doing parts of your skin care routine while soaking in the tub.
For instance, if you are unwinding after a long day, consider while you're soaking in the tub on removing all your makeup, cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser, and even applying a face mask when your sitting in the tub.
5. Time To Practice Body Care Routine
If you're anything like me, sometimes when I shower I fly through my shower routine.
Inevitably, this means I skip (or don't do a very good job) at all those body care routine steps that help make your skin extra smooth.
Therefore, consider this a good time to exfoliate your body and shave thoroughly.
Don't Make These Self Care Bath Routine Mistakes
To ensure your bath is perfect, watch out for these common bath routine mistakes!
1. Watch Your Water Temperature (Not Too Hot Or Cold)
Always check/feel your water temperature. The last thing you want is to wait 20 minutes before soaking in the tub because your water is too hot.
Or, having to refill your tub up with warmer water because the water was too cold to start.
2. Don't Forget To Lay Out Your Towel & Change Of Clothes
There's nothing worse than forgetting to lay out a spare towel and clean change of clothes after a bath or shower.
So, right before your about to enjoy your bath, make sure you have everything you need to change into and dry yourself off close by the tub.
3. Don't Overflow Your Bath Tub
Filling up your bath tub with water can take some time. However, if you decide to leave the water on while you quick do some chores in another room.... don't forget to turn the water off!
The last thing you want to do is overflow your bath tub or have your tub be filled to the brim with water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need for a self care bath?
There is no right or wrong way to have a self care bath. You may like to use Epsom salt and/or have a bubble bath, or not. The choice is completely up to you.
Likewise, you may not want to exfoliate, shave, and do all your skin and body care routine steps and just soak... again that's entirely up to you.
However, some things you may find helpful during a self care bath include:
- Something to keep you entertained while you soak (i.e. music, book, or journal).
- Products to make your bath ~extra~ relaxing (i.e. Epsom salt, bubble bath, bath bomb).
- Snacks and a drink to enjoy.
- Skin and Body Care Products (razor, body scrub, facial exfoliator, face mask).
- Essentials for a bath routine (i.e. towel, bathmat, change of clothes).
Why is a bath good for self care?
A bath is a good self care activity because it can be a calming way to destress.
Whether you are feeling extremely overwhelmed, or not, a self care bath can center yourself and restore your energy to look & feel your best.
And, you can consider a bath a good way to indulge your senses by enjoying the relaxing scents and warmth of the water on your skin.
This post is all about how to create the most relaxing self care bath.
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