A relaxing bath is a wellness application using bath water with relaxing substances. Essential oils and nourishing substances are added to the bath water as bath additives, and in addition, other relaxing wellness methods can be used in the relaxation bath.
What is a relaxing bath?
A relaxing bath is a wellness application using bath water with relaxing substances. Most relaxation baths have little or no medical benefit. Mainly, the relaxation bath comes from the field of wellness applications and is used for physical and mental relaxation. The mental component is covered by pleasant fragrances, which can pass into aromatherapy. For example, many relaxation baths use lavender and other similar scents that are said to have a relaxing effect. While lying in the relaxation bath, a person intensely inhales these scents. The bath additive of the relaxing bath also often contains nourishing ingredients for the skin, which are supposed to regenerate it and offer it rest from typical everyday influences. Relaxation bath is an application that anyone can perform at home with the appropriate bath additive. However, it is also offered as services in wellness studios and wellness hotels, where it is usually combined with other wellness applications. Skin care, peelings before or after the bath, as well as various massage techniques can be considered to accompany a relaxing bath. At home, anyone can enhance their relaxing bath with music, candles or a glass of wine.
Function, effect and goals
A field of application in the medical field finds the relaxation bath in obstetrics. In the context of a natural birth, the relaxation bath is offered to women in clinics, hospitals and birth centers by the midwife during the first contractions, if she wants it. The relaxation bath helps relax the muscles due to the warmth of the bath water and can relieve labor pain. In case of tension, sore muscles or diseases such as rheumatism, a relaxation bath is also recommended due to the warm bath water to relieve pain at home itself without medication or to support the administration of medication. With existing illnesses however the treating physician should be consulted, how long the bath may go and whether it is at all advisable. Furthermore, relaxing baths with suitable bath additives are recommended for colds. Corresponding cold baths usually contain essential oils, with which the respiratory tract can be cleared well together with warm water vapor. Such relaxing baths enable better sleep and easier breathing during the day and, depending on the ingredients, can even be used on babies. In addition to medical or at least medically recommended applications, however, the relaxation bath is mainly used in wellness treatments. It is suitable for aromatherapy, for example, because fragrant ingredients can be easily distributed throughout the room in a relaxing bath. In addition, the scents remain on the skin for a while after the relaxation bath and can be inhaled. Many people use the relaxation bath as a way to relax at home, such as in the evening after work, when they need to rely on relaxation techniques. In this regard, a bath may even be recommended by psychologists or alternative practitioners when a patient is undergoing treatment for stress. The simple relaxation bath at home can efficiently relieve stress. Ultimately, of course, a relaxing bath also serves the purpose of body hygiene and cleansing. Thorough cleaning can be done in the bath water as well as in the shower, hair washing can be done in the relaxation bath and even shaving is often easier under water depending on the thickness of the hair.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Since the bath additive for a relaxing bath usually does not contain any pharmacologically active ingredients, there are hardly any major risks, dangers or side effects. In general, a full bath for adults should last no longer than the time it takes for the skin at the fingertips to become slightly wrinkled, rather shorter. About half an hour is recommended as a maximum. For children, it should be 10-20 minutes, depending on the state of health. On the bath additive for the relaxing bath is usually indicated a recommended duration of the bath, to which you should adhere, as this also depends on the ingredients.Especially cold baths and aromatherapies should not be enjoyed for hours, even if the bath water still feels pleasantly warm for a long time. Since the active ingredients can be absorbed into the skin, they can also irritate it after some time in the bath water, even if this rarely happens – to prevent it altogether, you should never stay in the bath water for too long. Furthermore, in rare cases and with high concentrations of the active ingredients, allergic or sensitive reactions to the relaxing bath on the skin may occur. These can be recognized by redness, slight swelling and itchy skin. It is best to test the bath additive on a small area of skin beforehand – if nothing happens, you can use the relaxing bath without hesitation. In equally rare cases, bath additives for a relaxing bath can also slightly stain the skin if the active ingredients are contained in particularly high concentrations. This is especially the case with baths for colds. It usually helps to rinse the skin after the full bath to remove any residues of the bath additive. Oily additives in particular could otherwise feel unpleasant on the skin. Slight discolorations of the skin disappear over time on their own, usually they are no longer visible on the skin one day after the relaxing bath at the latest. However, they are harmless in any case.
