The art of the bath - Beauty & Style

IT'S bath time. Time to relax and recuperate from the stresses of your world. Time to scrub away the grime and dirt that have besieged you during your hectic day. Time to lock the bathroom door and slip into something comfortable--your own private oasis.

Whatever your particular stress factors--project deadlines, household chores, tension on the job, sore and aching muscles, rambunctious children, or simply fatigue from sitting in front of the computer all day long--you need a time-out. Nothing relieves the tension as quickly, as effectively, as sensibly as a long soak in a warm tub of water.

The art of the bath is easy to master. You simply need a tub of warm water and soap. To that add your favorite fragrance in the form of bath oil, gel, bubble bath or bath salts. To make it a truly serene, tension-relieving experience, turn off the lights, fire up aromatic candles and put on your favorite easy-listening music.

Increasingly, women (and even men) are turning their bathrooms into minispas and taking advantage of one of life's simplest pleasures. By immersing your body into a luxurious bath, you get away from the world and into yourself. You revive your body but also your spirit and soul. And it doesn't take a lot of money to enjoy the bath to the fullest.

The ancient Romans were renowned for taking the bath experience to the level of high art. After exercise and hot oil massages, they socialized in steamy public baths, sometimes followed by a final rinse or plunge into cold water.

The Ottoman Turks and Greeks also were known for therapeutic bathing. In fact, the Turks equated cleanliness to spiritual holiness. Over succeeding centuries, the practice was followed throughout Europe, where luxurious public bath houses were established. And, of course, the Japanese long have known the value of relaxed bathing and to this day practice sensual bathing rituals. While hydrotherapy has been practiced in the U.S. since the mid-1800s, in recent years the relaxing bath has become a passion for an increasing number of hardworking people.

A leisure soak in the tub has curative powers, including calming the mind and body, and inducing sleep. Warm baths ease sore muscles, reduce hemorrhoids, relieve arthritis, increase circulation, raise metabolism and help to eliminate impurities through the skin. Some therapists even advocate the bath as a treatment for some skin ailments, such as eczema.

To enhance your home bath experience, start with clean bathroom and tub. Having a whirlpool bath is nice, but it is not necessary to accomplish a wonderful bath experience. Do a little shopping around and experiment to find just the right bubble bath or foaming bath gel that suits your particular type of skin and your individual sense of smell.

Have needed accessories at hand. A plush terry cloth robe and big towel are must-haves. Also have your body oils and lotions ready when you step out of the tub so that you can maximize the experience by sealing in the moisture.

Most importantly, relax. Leave the stress and chores and kids and work outside the bathroom door. Also leave your cell phone and any tension-creating thoughts. This is your special personal time, your private bath. Use it to meditate, contemplate and unwind. Enjoy the experience to the max.

How To Perfect The Art Of The Bath

* Fragrance

Find a scent that soothes and relaxes you. Then try it in bath gel, lotion, bath oil, soap and candle, depending on which products you prefer. You might even find a complementary body fragrance. Bottom line is that you should love the fragrance.

* Temperature

Your bath water should be warm but not scalding hot. However, if you are seeking relief for aches and pains, for hemorrhoids or for some other ailment, ask your doctor about the appropriate water temperature. In general, hot water dries out the skin and saps your energy.

* Exfoliate Bath time is a great time to exfoliate weekly. The body is constantly shedding dead skin cells and generating new ones. By regularly sloughing off dead cells, you give new skin cells a chance to shine through. Find a natural exfoliating loofah sponge that works for you and your skin type. There also are natural bristle brushes and woven sisal fiber bath mitts and cloths. Also consider using natural sea wool sponges, which are more absorbent and durable than synthetic sponges. Body scrubs are also good for exfoliating. But don't overdo it. Your skin should look and feel great after exfoliating, not tender and scratched.

* Feet and Nails

Bath time is also a good time to care for your nails and feet. Before getting into the tub, remove old polish and shape your nails. While soaking, push back cuticles and massage in cream or oil. Scrub your feet with loofah brush and use a pumice stone to smooth out rough and calloused areas.

* Accessories

Consider a terry bath pillow to help you relax. Hot or cold eye masks can help to relieve sinus pain, congestion, dark circles and hangovers.

* Bath Aids

Bath salts help to soften the water, increase blood circulation and extract toxins from the body while softening and smoothing the skin with their high mineral content. Add aromatic essential oils after the tub is filled so the fragrance will not evaporate in the steam. Keep a basket filled with your favorite bath accessories and other necessities within reach.