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Do you have a quick fix for when you feel a bit down in the dumps? There’s exercise, of course, and chocolate, but I have an endorphin lifter equally as effective to cure the cold weather blues and that is taking a long, steamy bath.
Truthfully, I feel sorry for those shower-types. Busy and efficient, they’ll never know the bliss one experiences when floating upon a sea of bubbles.
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Best time to take a bath
Like an affair, a bath is best if done in secret and preferably in the middle of the afternoon. You can, of course, take to the water at any point of the day or night, but then you’d lose that decadent, salacious feeling while the world toils away.
There is something so immensely gratifying when being immersed up to your neck in deliciously warm water. Cheaper than therapy, the bath is a necessary respite for those in need of a moment to center themselves, to luxuriate in unhurried time. As the steam rises from the faucet, the worries melt and all you are left with is a cleansed body and raisin-like fingers.
You can just plop yourself in, but it’s much more civilized to come prepared. A tall glass of ice water, a flute of bubbles, a stack of magazines: these are the necessary accoutrements for any serious bather.
At the end of the day I might light a candle or two. And if the weather is particularly foul, I’ll throw my towel or bathrobe in the dryer so I’m warm and comforted when I step out.
Best bath salts and scrubs
What to add to your soak? Always epsom salts, and the rest is a matter of personal preference, really. You could scour yourself silly with a divine smelling sugar scrub as I do, or opt for an indulgent oil, like these heavenly ones from Jo Malone.
Whatever you choose, it’s most important to close this ritual by slathering on a thick lotion. Since the skin is the body’s largest organ, I use the best products I can buy. I sometimes by organic, sometimes not, it really depends on the scent and the thickness of the cream for me. Aveeno is a good brand for when my skin is quite dry or I have an eczema flare up.
I love decadent scents, so I gravitate towards Philosophy bath lotions. The have so many sweet and juicy scents, you can’t not be in a good mood after applying. And viola, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I’m renewed and ready to tackle the rest of my day.
What’s your go to solution for a quick pick me up?
