Epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils create an oasis for your body and mind that you can easily do at home
Baths are not just for little ones or luxurious spa experiences. For self care, Epsom soak baths are game changers for relaxing our muscles and mind. A weekly soak with Epsom salt, baking soda, and your favorite aromatherapy does wonders for detoxification, lessening fatigue, and feeling more balanced. Make yourself a spa day at home, and combine it with meditation, journaling, and ambient music to make it extra special.
Fill your bathtub with warm, pure water. Make sure it is not too hot as the goal is to soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. The heat helps to open your pores, remove toxins, and let beneficial electrolytes in. Have a towel handy to help with any sweat and a post-bath chillout time. Then pour in 2 pounds Epsom salt and 2 pounds baking soda. Mix these ingredients in the water so it does not settle on the bottom of the bathtub. Then add some drops of essential oils to the bath. Our favs include lavender, bergamot, and peppermint. To add diversity to your bath time routine, check out my parents’ great, all-natural additions to your body care products at Capistrano Soap Company.
The magnesium in Epsom salt helps to relax our muscles and nerves, detox our pathways, build strong bones, support hormonal balance and bowel regulation, regulate brain receptors, and support cognitive health. Magnesium plays a role in more than 300 processes in our body, but many of us are depleted due to stress, medications, GI issues, and abnormal sweating. Magnesium is also a game changer for better sleep, restoring the thyroid and adrenals. Combined with the baking soda, this soak boosts electrolytes, adjusts pH, and makes detoxing more graceful and less symptomatic.
Stop telling yourself that you do not have time for a bath, as once you experience the weightlessness of an Epsom soak and how it helps to restore your energy reserves, you will want to incorporate this more regularly into your routine. You can even add rose petals to your bath for more self love. Keep energy circulating by taking time for deeper self care - your mind, body and soul will thank you.
Learn more: Krystina Steffen is a Tampa meditation teacher and combines meditation, breathwork, and sound healing to help Inner Heights Meditation members with breakthroughs for their serenity, healing, creativity, and more. Connect with classes, workshops, and more at www.innerheightsmeditation.com.