Self Care Sunday – Epsom Salts
Do you have any plans this Sunday? Most of us aren’t venturing out as much as we would normally – so here’s a little self care tip for you.
Selfcare: The Benefits of an Epsom Salt Bath
Maybe you have sore muscles or your joints are flaring up from inflammation… or your children are driving you crazy and some relaxation is in order. Whatever that reason is we need be good to ourselves and hit the pause button to appreciate the benefits from an Epsom salt bath.
The theory is that when you soak in an Epsom salt bath you absorb the salt through your skin. This has not been proven, but a warm bath will reduce stress, improve skin, help sleep, reduce inflammation, balance pH levels and stimulate detoxification pathways. Epsom salt is made up of two minerals, Magnesium and Sulfate. Which research suggests might be the single most important nutrient for human health. Most of us don’t get anywhere near the amount our body needs. Muscle aches and pains are directly related to a lack of magnesium.
There are so many different recipes for your bath but I’ll list a few of my favorites…
- Basic Epsom Salt Soak
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
- 1 cup kosher salt
- ½ cup baking soda
- Pink Himalayan Salt Soak – revitalize tired muscles
- 2 cups Epsom salt
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 Tbs grapeseed oil
- 10 drops bergamot
- 10 drops frankincense
- Stress/Anxiety Salt Soak
- 2 cups Epsom salt
- 1 cup sea salt
- ½ cup baking soda
- 2 Tbs grapeseed oil
- 20 drops lavender oil
- Nourishing Salt Soak with Milk and Honey
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
- 1 cup sea salt
- ½ cup whole milk powder
- ½ cup honey powder
How to take an Epsom salt bath:
When starting your bath remember the water should be very warm not hot but comfortable to touch. Mix your dry ingredients with your wet by combining in a cup or bowl. Then directly pour under the running water to make sure to fully dissolve. You can soak 2-3 times a week for 15-20min.
Dry brushing before soaking may help maximize the benefits. I personally do this every time because it helps stimulate blood flow and digestion. Urban Ayurveda’s dry skin body brush is the perfect brush for this.
Make sure to shower and rinse off all the salt when you are done. Every Sunday night I’m in the tub soaking to either relax my tired and sore muscles or destress from a long week of work and children. I feel balanced and recharged every time. I cannot stress enough how important it is to replenish your fluids… drink a lot of water when you are done because you will be sweating which is what you want! Take charge of your life and be good to yourself… selfcare is key if you intend to stay balanced and refreshed.
Looking for something you don’t need to make yourself? Aveda’s Stress Fix Soaking Salts are amazing! The lavender smell, the way your skin feels, you’ll never want a bath without this again.
