Detoxing Bath Ritual

Self-care is paramount to living well. As a Certified Health Coach, I talk daily to people who want to know how to live healthy lifestyles. One of the biggest patterns I’ve noticed in the hundreds of people I’ve coached is that most people who feel unwell have been neglecting self-care. Spending a little time each day to care for ourselves makes us better at everything we do — from our career, to parenthood, to our relationships, to our daily happiness, and our daily motivation.

One of my favorite ways to indulge in self-care is to take a nice long epsom salt bath at the end of the day. The epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) in this stress-relieving bath will draw impurities out of your body and help relax your muscles, while the baking soda neutralizes acids on the skin and dissolves oil and perspiration. The epsom salts also raise the water’s specific gravity, making the body more buoyant, which in turn allows you to feel light as you relax. Adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil will enhance your experience and allow you to fully de-stress. DETOXIFYING EPSOM SALT BATH 2 cups epsom salts 2 cups baking soda Optional: 5-10 drops your favorite essential oil. Try lavender to relax (my favorite), peppermint to energize, or eucalyptus if your immune system is down. Add ingredients to a full, hot bathtub and soak for 20 minutes. Dim the lights, light a candle and add some peaceful music or a nature sound track for an even deeper relaxing effect. Take your time to just relax and breathe. Most skin experts say to soak for 20 minutes to allow the epsom salts to pull the toxins from your pores, but not more than 20 minutes as you risk re-absorbing the impurities. Enjoy!