Benefits of a Bath

There is nothing better than a long hot bath at the end of the day to clear your mind and lighten your mood. Soaking in the tub isn’t just good for your mental health, it can be good for your heart too.

Recent research published in the journal Heart- found that adding a bath to your routine can have heart-healthy benefits. The study looked at 30,000 middle-aged adults over a 19-year period and found that those who took a bath most days of the week lowered their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 28% and reduced their odds of stroke by 26%. Scientists believe that baths are good for your heart because the heat from the water improves vascular function- similar to exercise. Here are a few more reasons you should draw a bath tonight:

Soothes sore muscles- The heat will get your blood circulating, helping to relax sore or tight muscles.

Lowers blood pressure- High temperatures in a warm bath cause the blood vessels to dilate, increasing and improving blood flow to the heart, which lowers blood pressure.

Reduces headaches- Warm baths and showers can stop pain signals from traveling to the brain and increases blood flow, helping to soothe muscles and reduce tension related head pain.

Boosts immune system- Elevating your body’s temperature boosts your ability to fight infections and viruses.

Moisturizes and soothes skin- While scalding hot baths can dry out your skin, a warm bath with essential oils can hydrate and heal dry or irritated skin.

Improves sleep- A warm bath before bed raises your body temperature and exiting the tub will rapidly cool it down. This rapid cool down in body temperature signals the body to produce melatonin, the sleeping hormone.

Burns calories- A bath is no substitute for exercise, but according to a study, the sweat from a hot bath can burn as many calories as taking a walk.

So, the next time you need a little “me time,” fill up the tub, relax and do your heart some good.