12 Anti-Stress Bath Soak During Quarantine
Aren't we all into anti-stress remedy nowadays? The amount of stress and uncertainty exists in this world right now; we all need each other support. That's why today, I am sharing some simple bath recipes – that have some pretty incredible anti-stress benefits into it.
I'm going to share my remedy for soothing away anxiety, with natural ingredients. I also call these recipes - deconstructed bath bombs.
I was never a fan of baths. But if I am honest, bath time is a significant affair for me nowadays. Whoever thought suspending myself in warm water would prove to be a miracle stress-reliever, energy-rejuvenator, and even mind-opener.
Having a glass of wine and lay down in my bathtub, it is my way to tackle anxiety and stress while I am quarantine.
I have been quarantined for the last 4-weeks. In these 4-weeks, I decided to stir up some necessary ingredients from my kitchen. I made tons of bath soak variations for my night time regimen. Some of those variations are genuinely divine, nourished, and luxurious.
I wonder why nobody taught me how to take a bath – like, correctly, from prep-work, to what to do in the bath itself, and how to deal with the aftermath of it all. This COVID-19 situation taught me to get a dip into having bathrooms in my bathtub more religiously.
Nevertheless, as lovers of baths myself, I can vouch that all this hype is well worth it. If it is done right, you'll come to realize that a perfect, relaxing bath is truly one of life's greatest pleasures.
To make this fantastic bath soak recipes, my childhood Ayurveda knowledge came handy to me. I used several different herbs in my recipe.
In general, I compare this bath soak recipes like a smoothie bowl, burrito bowl, or quinoa bowls. Once I came up with the basic structure of the bath soak recipe, I started rotating "the herbs based" based on my requirement.
This blogpost first, I will share with you an ultimate bath soak formula, herbs you can use inside bath soak and easy 10 bath soak recipes.
An Ultimate Bath Soak Formula:
My version of Bath Soak includes bath salts, vinegar, dry herbs, essential oils, carrier oil, and the list goes on. But the hero ingredient in this one is Bath salt. In my recipes, there are three elements 1) Bath Salt; 2) Herb Pouch; 3) Liquid Base. So let's tackle those ingredient ones by one.
Bath Salt:
So let's find out what is bath salts since Bath Soak prominently includes bath salts. Bath salts have long been used as an easy and inexpensive way to treat mental and physical health ailments.
Bath salts, which are commonly made from magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) or sea salt, are easily dissolved in warm bath water and used for everything from stress relief to aches and pains. (Referenced).
Herb Pouch:
Although all the ingredients in these recipes are customizable, this part of the recipe where you can get more creative. Some excellent herbs I use in my herb pouch include lavender, rose, chamomile, Calendula, Peppermint, Rosemary, geranium, grapefruit, orange, fir, cleavers, oat tops, ginger, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.
These herb pouches are not even significant to bring aroma, but it gives some wellness elements to your bath soak recipes. As I said, you can mix and match any herbs but I like to form a theme first when I start making different variations of bath soak.
To hold these herbs, I am using spice pouches. These spice pouches will hold herbs and release all the good stuff into your bathwater. By using spice pouches, you are not clogging your drainage either. Most of these herbs are biodegradable so you can totally compose left over.
Liquid Base:
In liquid base, it all depends of theme of my bath soak again but I use vinegars, glycerin & oils. You can multiply benefits of liquid base by infusing oils, glycerin and vinegars. If you like to use essential oils, incorporating with oils are the best way to get benefits.
The liquid base is also a fantastic way to add color as well. Who doesn't want to jump into the nicely pink bathtub, right?
So once you understand the formula, let's dig down a little more in-depth in terms of herbal benefits.
Few Anti-stress Herbs:
Want to share more than obvious choices like Rose, Lavender & Chamomile for anti-stress.
Ashwagandha Roots:
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha root is a helpful herb to have sleep aid. It used to balance various conditions that arise from 'Vata dosha' imbalances (and by the way, this is VATA dosha season).
It is believed to encourage youth and vitality but it is considered a grounding and nourishing herb. This root is supportive to female well-being as well.
Ashwagandha, also an adaptogen, can significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety, and has been shown to improve cortisol levels by resetting adrenal-associated stress, overall reducing your predisposition to anxiety.
Rosemary Leaves or Tea:
For many people, Rosemary is not the first choice because the smell of Rosemary can be a stimulating and energizing scent. But for me, I love Rosemary in my focaccia bread as well as a cleanser.
However, some research suggests that it may improve cognitive function and decreased levels of stress hormones, which may help reduce anxiety in some situations.
If you are feeling depressed due to COVID-19 or any other reason, put your rosemary tea bags into the bathtub.
Passionflower:
Okay!!! What can I tell about this herb? Passionflower is cooling to the body, calming to the mind, and soothing to the spirit. Aren't we getting mind, body & soul together in this?
It quells disquietude, calms the ruminating mind, and can promote natural relaxation and stress reduction*. This plant is gentle yet profound.
It can be administered as a soothing tea for children or the elderly and can help to calm a restless mind. Passionflower can be the wonderful herb for a calming bath soak.
Turmeric Roots:
I have written about Turmeric for Skincare here. But turmeric roots contain curcumin. Believe it or know, amazingly, curcumin has been found to reverse harmful brain changes induced by chronic stress.
To incorporate turmeric roots into bath soak, I generally use fresh turmeric roots. These roots can be tucked into spice bags. It brings a beautiful yellow color to your bath. You can also buy turmeric roots from mountain rose herbs as well.
Rooibos:
Did you ever hear about having rooibos tea and call it a day? Because...rooibos is known to be a beverage that can provide relief after a hard day at work.
Even though we all are working from home. So I thought, why not add tea and dump into bath cup? I meant to say bathtub.
Lemon balm:
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic)(Reference).
12 Anti-Stress Bath Soak During Quarantine
1. Bath Soak for Calming
3 cups Pink Salt+Epsom Salt+Coconut Milk Powder(1:1:1)
1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Herb Pouch: Rose Buds+Lavender+Green Tea
To make this milk bath, first, add bath salts, then pour apple cider vinegar & float herb pouch in water. Make sure water is warm enough to get the true effect.
2. Bath Soak for Nourishment
3 cups Black Salt + Coconut Milk PowderPin (50:50)
1/2 cup Vegetable Glycerin
1/2 cup Almond Oil (mixed with 25-30 drops of sandalwood essential oil)
Herb Pouch: Butterfly Pea Flower (make 2-3 pouch as you might love the purple color of the bath soak)
To make this milk bath, first, add both types of bath salts. Add glycerin and almond. oil. Glycerin will work as a humectant, and almond oil nourishes the body. Add 2-3 pouches of butterfly pea herb. Take a nourishing bath.
3. Bath Soak for Calming
3 cups Epsom Salt
1 cup Strawberry Infused White Vinegar
Herb Pouch: Dried Lemon + Ashwagandha Powder or Roots
To make this bath, first, add Epsom salt. Now add strawberry-infused white vinegar. To make strawberry infused white vinegar, submerged strawberry into white vinegar for 2 days. Drain it, and your vinegar is ready to use. Lastly, throw herb pouch.
4. Bath Soak for Relaxation
3 cups Pink Salt
1 cup Calendula infused olive oil
25 Drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Lemon Balm Leaves
Add Pink Salt into the bathtub and let it dissolve. Add Olive and lemongrass essential oil. Let good aroma going and now add lemon balm leave pouch floats for 2-5 min. Have a relaxing evening with a nice bath & of course a glass of wine.
5. Bath Soak for Anti-Anxiety
3 Cups of Bath Salt Mixture(Coconut Milk Powder + Pink Salt) 50:50
1 cup of Raspberry Infused White Vinegar
25-30 Drops of Rose Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Lavender + Rose Buds or Rose Patel + Chamomile ( I made 3 pouches because I wanted to go crazy, ha!)
Like every other bath soak, soak your bathtub with pink salt and coconut milk powder mixture. Add raspberry-infused white vinegar to warm bath water & add essential oil inside running water. In that way, the aroma will mix well. Float herb pouches and make it infused in the bath. Have an amazing relaxed bath.
6. Bath Soak for Anti-Stress
3 cups of Bath Salt Mixture (Coconut Milk Powder + Epsom Salt + the Dead Sea Salt (1:1:1))
1 cup of plant-based milk ( I added Pea Milk as that milk was available in my refrigerator)
30 Drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Turmeric Roots & Rosemary Tea Bags
Add bath salt mixture first. Let it dissolve and add plant-based milk & essential oil. Float herb pouch for 6-8 minutes before you jump into your spa!
7. Herbal Bath Soak
3 Cups of Bath Salt ( Epsom Salt)
1 cup Goat Milk
15 Drops of Ginger Essential Oil
15 Drops of Turmeric Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Turmeric Roots (I used fresh one)+ Ginger Peels+ Rosemary
8. Moisturizing Bath Soak
3 cups Bath Salt ( Epsom Salt + Colloidal oatmeal (50:50))
1 Cup Any Plant-Based Milk
1/4 Cup Avocado Oil or Moringa Oil
30 drops of Rose Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Simple Add Rose Patel
Okay, officially, this bath soak is more like a milk bath. Add bath salt, milk & oil first while you are filling up the bathtub. Add 30 drops of Rose Essential Oil. Let aroma flow and now add herb pouch 5 minutes before you tucked into your bathtub.
9. Quick & Easy Bath Soak for Busy Work Day
3 cups Bath salt ( just Epsom bath salt)
1 cup Coconut Milk Powder
30 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Rooibos Tea Bags (10)
This bath soak is in need while you are whole day working from home with lots of meetings. Sometimes you feel your work in the call center, and you need some quiet time. Just throw bath salt, milk powder & some essential oil. Add Rooibos tea bags directly & call it a day.
10. Bath Soak for Cool Down
3 Cups of Epsom Bath salt
1 A cup of Calendula Infused Olive Oil
30 Drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (it's a pricy essential oil, but someday you would like to splurge, you can also add Lavender Essential Oil)
Herb Pouch: Dried Butterfly Pea Flower
If you are having a bad day or bad thoughts about situations, you are in! Then yes, this is the right one for you. In running water, add salt and oils. Float the pouch for 5-10 minutes and let it calm your self. A glass of red wine will help too!
11. Bath Soak for Date Night
3 Cups of Pink Salt
2 A cup of Plant-Based Milk
1 Cup Coconut Milk Powder
30 Drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
Herb Pouch: Dried Orange Peels + Calendula Petals
Since we all are quarantine, we need to make some night special with our loved ones. Having a candlelight bath is one of the most romantic things you can arrange in this social distancing world. Add salt, milk powder & milk first, while you are filling up tub add drops of sandalwood essential oil. Infused pouch of the herb for 5-10 minutes before you both jump into the bathtub.
12. Bath Soak for Children
3 Cups of Bath Salt ( Epsom Salt)
1 cup of plant-based milk
1 cup baby oil or almond oil
Herb Pouch: Lavender Petals
Add salt, milk, and oil first. Now infused lavender petals herb pouch for few minutes. Since this bath soak is for children and essential oil contains a sensitivity element, I wouldn't prefer to use it.
Since it is a tough time for everyone, why not make it lighter by having simple DIY recipes.
Love to hear how are you unwinding yourself every night? Comment below or share it on our social channels!