Level-Up Your Bath for The Ultimate Self-Care Experience (10 Easy Ideas)

Who knew that I would love bath time, even as an adult? For me, it has become one of my favorite self-care moments.

Here are 10 easy ways to level up your bath to curate the most luxurious and peaceful bath time. 🫧

Ready to level up your bath routine for the ultimate self-care? Whenever I think of self-care ideas, a hot bath immediately comes to mind. I love the quiet time, relief to sore muscles, and it is overall a great way to wind down and get ready for bedtime. Especially as a mom of two young (read: clingy) toddlers-- sometimes I just need to lock myself into the bathroom to get a little "me time". Especially on days that are a bit more hard, a cozy bath is something I try to intentionally fit into my evening routine.

A warm bath as a means of self-care isn't just a new TikTok trend, either. Taking a plunge into hot water has been a well-known practice all over the world. Baths have been a self-care ritual for centuries, blending hygiene, relaxation, and culture. Ancient Romans enjoyed socializing in public baths, while Japanese onsen and Middle Eastern hammams focused on purification and therapeutic benefits. Cleopatra’s milk and honey baths highlight their historical ties to beauty and rejuvenation across the globe. Nearly everywhere you travel to have their own unique ritual around baths. 

Holistic Benefits of a Bubble Bath

Beyond a relaxing experience, taking a bath has other holistic health benefits to your body and mind. Here are a few of the reasons you should add a hot bath to your to-do list:

• Supports mental health by reducing anxiety

• Supports sleep quality

• Improves skin health

• Helps to ease congestion- The steam from a hot bath (plus whatever added essential oils you add), can be an all-star at relieving congestion and helping to open up your sinuses. This is also a great solution from sick kiddos- throw them in the bath (I especially love these eucalyptus bath bombs for helping with congestion in young ones) and help open up their little airways. 

• Improves heart health

• May support immune system

10 Ideas to Leveling Up Your Bath Time for The Ultimate Self-Care Experience ✨

Here are some easy self care bath ideas to elevate your bathing experience and pack the ultimate self-care punch:

1. Prep your skin

Using a body brush or a dry brush is a non-negotiable for me before taking a bath or shower.  Dry brushing is done with quick, small strokes over the skin in the direction towards your heart. This helps to promote circulation, exfoliate dead skin cells, and support a healthy lymphatic system.

Usually, I will shower real quick to rinse off any exfoliated skin before getting into the bath. This just prevents me from soaking in any unwanted.. stuff.

Related Reads:

• Holistically Support Your Body’s Natural Detox Pathways

2. Bring along a beverage

Years ago, I would have opted for a glass of wine but I have been alcohol-free pretty much exclusively for the last couple of years. Instead, I love some sparkling water, an Olipop, hot tea, or collagen hot chocolate. Whatever your fave bevy is, bring a glass (or mug) to add to the self-care experience. 

3. Light a candle

I love lighting a candle-- it can immediately make your environment more calming. (PRO TIP: keep a candle right next to your kitchen sink to add a little ambiance to doing dishes). However, deciphering the ingredients in some candles can be a little confusing. To make it a bit easier, here are some of my favorite go-to brands for healthier candle options:

• Primally Pure Non-toxic Candles- My absolute favorite brand for healthy candles (and skincare too!) You can use code KAELYN10 to save money on any of your Primally Pure orders ✨

If you are not a fan of open flame in your home (like maybe you have young kiddos-- i get it), I love these artificial light candles. They are remote-controlled and offer the same calming light. 

4. Create a little ambiance

Dim the lights, light that candle I mentioned, and add in your fave soundtrack. Focus on the environment as a whole, not just the bath. 

5. Speaking of ambiance... 

Don't forget the smell! Smell is a scent that is strongly correlated with our stress levels and nervous system, so don't overlook the importance of a calming scent. Some of my favorite ways to add a bit of fragrance (without the endocrine disruptors) are:

• essential oils- i love adding in a few drops of lavender to the warm water for an even more luxurious bath. You can also add them into an essential oil diffuser if you have one of those! Some other relaxing scents include:

  • chamomile

  • bergamot

  • sandalwood

• non-toxic candles

• room spray - this spray has the ultimate spa-like feel. But even beyond the scent, I love that it is completely non-toxic and made of all-natural ingredients. Yet another product I love from this brand. 

6. Curate the best natural bath products

If you are looking to really elevate your bath time rituals, look for some high-quality self-care bath products. Sometimes, it's the little things that really add to the whole experience. Here are some of my favorite self-care bath products to add to a long soak:

• bath salts- Personally, I always opt for Epsom salts. It is affordable and so beneficial! Not only does it help to relieve our muscles, but helps to support healthy mineral levels in your body. 

• body wash or bath oils- this bergamot and eucalyptus body wash is my most favorite clean body wash (use code KAELYN10 to save 10% on Primally Pure)

• bath bombs- these can be such a fun way to make a bath a more unique experience, but unfortunately some popular ones are full of artificial fragrance and dyes. I love that these bath bombs are made with 100% natural and mostly organic ingredients. They are full of nourishing oils, vitamin e, and healthy fats that help to support your skin health. Even my kids love them-- and they both have super sensitive skin so I was very cautious about using one in their bath. These didn't flare up their eczema at all👏

• bath pillow- perfect for resting your head and shoulders back comfortably

• bath tray- Perfect for holding your phone, a drink, your book or Kindle—literally everything!

7. Put your phone on silent

There is nothing that will upset a relaxing bath more than a random phone call or the dinging from social media. Allow yourself to really take a step away, unwind, and have some *you* time. 

8. Grab a good book

The last couple of years have re-ignited my love for reading. Growing up, I was constantly reading— and unfortunately, after nursing school, I fell into a bit of a reading lull. But she’s back baby! (that said, if you have any great recommendations, I would love to hear them! I will read just about any genre)

That said, I love reading while in the bath. It is quiet, I am uninterrupted, and it’s one of my favorite forms of “me time.” I have a Kindle that I absolutely looove, but if you have a physical book, I highly recommend getting a bath tray. It will give you a dry space to set your book and make the whole thing a lot easier!

9. Self-care stacking

I talk a lot about habit stacking around here-- it's this simple idea of stacking your new, desired habit onto a pre-existing one. This helps to implement new habits and routines without as much difficulty. I am borrowing inspiration from that concept here...

Add in other self-care practices you love (ever heard of a dopamine menu-- that's a great starting point for inspiration) to make the best bath routine and get the biggest bang for your buck. For me this looks like face masks and listening to a podcast that has been on my list. Some other ideas of self-care that you can practice while taking a bath include:

• breath work

• goal setting

• prayer

• reading

• playing some soft music

10. Self-care doesn't end when you pull the plug

Similar to how dry brushing can help you prep before your bath, there are some things you can do afterward​ to add to your self-care bath routine.

• Moisturize - i love adding a think body butter for soft, nourished skin.

• Get cozy- Bundle up in a plush robe or your favorite pajamas

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P.S. A quick word of warning-- if you use a bath bomb or other bath product that contains coconut oil it can make your bath tub very slippery. I made my own bath bombs a few months ago and was slippin' and slidin' the next few days while I showered. Consider yourself warned!

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