Whether it’s relationship problems or work-related, stress can take a serious toll on the way you feel physically and mentally. It can hold you back from living life to the fullest, preventing you from being present and if left unchecked, spiraling into more serious health concerns.
That’s why coming up with healthy ways to manage stress is of the utmost importance. While things like meditation and exercise certainly have their place, what if we told you there was a simpler, more enjoyable way to cope? We want to talk about taking a bath for stress relief.
Wait, does taking a bath relieve stress? If so, how? It’s true. Something as quick and easy as immersing yourself in a nice warm bath could be all it takes to melt that stress away and feel like yourself again.
But, not just any bath - we want to introduce you to the idea of using a stress relief bath soak specifically. These contain magnesium, vitamins, and minerals that soak deep into your skin and work their magic throughout your body, stopping stress at the source.
There is a healing bath soak recipe waiting to be discovered. Or, you can order a bath soak from Flewd Stresscare today to reap the magnesium soak benefits yourself and put stress on notice!
The Toll Stress Takes on Your Physical and Mental Health
Chronic stress can quickly take a grip on your body and contribute to a cascade of concerns - both physically and emotionally. You may not realize it, but you can feel stress. It manifests itself in the form of pain, stiffness, and even long-term injury if not properly managed.
It can elevate your cortisol levels, too, potentially spiking blood pressure levels and leading to heart strain and a weakened immune system that puts you at risk of illness.
It also disrupts sleep leading to fatigue and exhaustion, which creates a vicious cycle. The less you sleep, the more stressed you feel - and then you get even less sleep! There’s also the issue of stress-induced weight gain, too.
But for some, the mental side of things is even worse. Stress can trigger anxiety, depression, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. It impairs cognitive function, making it hard to concentrate, while clouding your decision-making and leaving you more forgetful of important details.
Stress can also take a toll on your emotional well-being, making it harder to stay patient, calm, and positive as you go about your daily life. It seems to create a snowball effect: stress begets more stress as its physical and mental effects compound, leaving you trapped in a constant state of tension.
You don’t have to accept this as your new reality, though. There are so many healthy ways you can cope with stress, many of which are quite enjoyable!
Does Taking a Bath Relieve Stress?
So, does taking a bath relieve stress? Absolutely! In fact, this is one of the most classic choices for relaxing and unwinding after a long, stressful day.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of lowering yourself into a warm tub of water, ideally, infused with magnesium and other essential vitamins and minerals. Light a candle, play some soft music, and grab your favorite book - stress doesn’t stand a chance!
But, let’s get a bit more specific and explain why this is such a powerful tactic in the endless battle against stress. How does taking a bath relieve stress?
How Does Taking a Bath Relieve Stress?
There are actual science-backed benefits of taking a bath when you’re feeling stressed out. The combination of heat, water immersion, and certain therapeutic ingredients works on both the physical and mental levels to help alleviate tension. Here’s how…
Heat Therapy Benefits
The simple act of immersing yourself in warm water triggers a stress defense response in the body, whether it’s a warm bath or a hot tub. Even a heating pad will get the job done on a more targeted level.
The heat dilates your blood vessels, which in turn improves circulation and eases muscle tension. This brings more oxygen and nutrients to muscles and tissues where they’re needed most, speeding up recovery while reducing soreness.
The warmth also triggers the body's parasympathetic nervous system - which is responsible for rest and relaxation. This helps lower cortisol, that pesky stress hormone, while simultaneously lowering your heart rate and signaling to your muscles to calm down.
Water Immersion for Mind-Body Relaxation
So, how does taking a bath relieve stress more than just using a heating pad, or even just wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket? It’s not just heat - it’s also the water immersion that plays an important role here.
The sensation of floating reduces the strain on joints and muscles, allowing your body to feel physically lighter. This can ease chronic pain or tension caused by stress.
Immersing in water also has a calming effect on your nervous system thanks to hydrostatic pressure - which is a fancy way to say gentle pressure of water against your body. This has been shown to reduce stress by lowering blood pressure and stabilizing heart rate.
Aromatherapy in Baths
Taking a bath for stress relief is a great start, but those who are serious about stopping stress at the source should take things a step further and boost their bathwater. This is where the concept of aromatherapy comes into play.
Adding essential oils to your bath can make a profound difference in the experience itself and the effects you feel when it’s all said and done. Here are some of the best oils to add to your bath:
- Lavender: Known for its calming properties. It can help reduce anxiety levels and promote better sleep by interacting with the brain’s neurotransmitters.
- Eucalyptus: This refreshing scent helps clear the mind, improve focus, and reduce mental exhaustion.
- Citrus oils: Lemon or orange oils have an uplifting aroma that can enhance mood and promote feelings of positivity and energy.
These oils don’t just smell great. They can work into your pores and then your bloodstream to deliver tangible benefits that enhance the stress-relieving properties of warm baths alone.
How Magnesium Magnifies the Stress Relief Benefits
Essential oils are great, but there is a better option: magnesium. This critical mineral plays a role in hundreds of bodily processes, and as it turns out, one of those is your stress response.
Cortisol production increases when magnesium levels are low, leading to higher levels of stress and anxiety. The solution is simple - get more magnesium!
But as we talk about in our comparison of magnesium soak vs oral, powders and pills just don’t cut it. They’re poorly absorbed and can lead to a suite of side effects. So, does magnesium soak into skin? It sure does, and this is far more efficient without side effects!
So, why is magnesium soak good for you? It works by relaxing muscles and promoting a sense of calm through its interaction with the nervous system. It blocks calcium’s role in muscle contraction so the muscles can easily release pent-up tension.
This makes magnesium baths particularly effective for those dealing with physical tension caused by stress, whether it’s tight shoulders, headaches, or general muscle aches.
But it’s not just great for those in need of a sore muscle bath soak homemade. It can also help regulate serotonin, your body’s “feel good” neurotransmitter. Higher serotonin levels may lead to better mood regulation, improved sleep, and lower anxiety.
In other words, you’ll just FEEL better. So, let us offer a few tips on taking a bath for stress relief to maximize all the benefits this technique has to offer.
Tips on Taking a Bath for Stress Relief
From choosing the right magnesium bath soak to understanding how long to soak in bath, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make stress a problem of the past below.
Creating the Right Atmosphere
Start by dimming the lights or using candles to create a calming ambiance, signaling to your brain that it’s time to unwind. We love timing baths prior to bed for this reason. Your head will hit the pillow afterward and you’ll be out!
Consider adding soothing music or nature sounds, too. These can help drown out external distractions and keep you focused on relaxation. You might want to bring a book with you, or, you can use this opportunity to practice other stress-relief techniques. More on that later.
Use a Bath Soak Recipe
We want to be clear that there are distinct differences between a bath soak vs bath bomb. Even a magnesium soak vs epsom salt are not the same. So, what is a bath soak?
These are formulated specifically with magnesium chloride. This is the most bioavailable form, meaning your body is actually able to use it. Other types of magnesium have lower absorption rates, and epsom salts and bath soaks will fall under that umbrella.
Magnesium is just one ingredient, though. You can use essential oils or better yet, find a bath soak that contains other stress-relieving ingredients like nootropics, vitamins, and minerals.
While learning how to make magnesium bath soak is certainly one option, our advice is to shop with a trusted brand, like Flewd Stresscare. We have a number of solutions that are specifically formulated to fight stress head-on, offering relief for up to 5 days post-soak! Here are just a few of the ingredients in our solutions:
- Magnesium chloride
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Omega 3
- L-carnitine
- Essential oils
From our muscle bath soak to our anxiety bath soak, you’re getting natural ingredients sourced with your wellness in mind. The scent is delightful, too. But don’t just take our word for it. Order yours today and experience the difference firsthand!
Optimal Water Temperature and Duration
As far as how to use bath soak, it’s fairly simple. You want the water warm - not hot. A range between 92°F and 98°F tends to be comfortable without feeling as if you’re boiling yourself alive, which isn’t just uncomfortable but causes lightheadedness and dehydration.
Aim to soak for about 20-30 minutes, which is enough time for your body to absorb the beneficial ingredients from your bath soak while also allowing your mind to fully relax. You can stay there longer if you’d like, of course.
Incorporating Meditation or Mindfulness
While you’re soaking you’re free to do as you please - read a book, listen to a podcast, call a friend, whatever helps you relax and unwind. That’s the whole point, after all.
But, we recommend taking stress relief even further with meditation or mindfulness while you soak. Simple breathing exercises can go a long way - focus on deep, slow breaths in and out, which can lower your heart rate and calm your mind.
Or, you can repeat a calming mantra or affirmation that aligns with your relaxation goals. Another option is to follow a guided meditation through a speaker to help you stay present in the moment and disconnect from daily stress.
When you’re finished, you’re free to rinse off if you’d like - although since our ingredients are mostly natural, it’s not necessary with Flewd Stresscare soaks.
More Stress Relief Measures to Try
Before we wrap up our guide to taking a bath for stress relief, here are a few other ways you can get stress under control beyond bathing with Flewd Stresscare a few times a week:
- Physical Activity: Light exercise, such as a brisk walk or yoga, can help release endorphins, your body’s natural stress relievers. Activities like stretching or even dancing around the house can shake off tension and improve your mood.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): This technique involves tensing and then slowly releasing each muscle group, starting from your feet and working your way up. PMR is great for physical stress relief and helps you reconnect with your body in the moment.
- Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can help clear mental clutter. Whether it’s jotting down what’s stressing you out or listing things you’re grateful for, journaling can offer emotional release and shift your mindset.
- Limit Caffeine and Sugar: Excess caffeine and sugar amplify stress. Try replacing them with herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint, which naturally relax the body and mind.
Of course, getting down to the source of your stress - be it a relationship or a job - is also worth exploring. You can take steps to expose yourself to less stress accordingly, whether that means changing who you hang around with or finding a new job.
Ultimately, though, stress is everywhere - it’s unlikely you’ll be able to escape it entirely. This is why having healthy coping mechanisms in place is so important. Fortunately, it doesn’t get any better than taking a bath for stress relief, so put these tips into practice today!
Bringing Our Stress Relief Baths Guide to a Close
So, does taking a bath relieve stress? More specifically, how does taking a bath relieve stress? There are quite a few moving pieces here, from the warm water to the things you put in the bath to help your body and mind find a sense of tranquility.
The key takeaway should be that adding magnesium, ideally, in the form of a Flewd Stresscare bath soak, is the #1 way to put stress on notice and find your zen. But why take our word for it when you could feel the difference firsthand?
Don’t let stress overstay its welcome. Shop now and transform how you unwind. We’re confident you’ll be back for more!
