In Praise Of The Day Bath: It’s A Thing And You Need To Run One

Plus the best bath products and accessories to shop now...

Updated on12th February 2021 at 2.30pm

Last week I did the unthinkable. I ran myself a bath in the middle of the day. 'But why?!' 'how?!' I hear you gasp. Because I could. On the face of it life in lockdown isn't all that fun, it's true, but when else would I have been able to take a bath on my lunch break?! It felt indulgent, almost clandestine - should I really be doing this? But as I watched the bubbles froth up, the steam gather above, as I breathed in the spa-like aromas of the essential oils I'd rather too generously poured in my doubts evaporated and I eased myself into the water. Oh what bliss! I hit the Spotify 'Shuffle' button on Adele (yep, it was that kind of day), lit a couple of candles and happily poached myself for 20 minutes flat. It was the ultimate moment of self-care, 'me time', whatever you like to call it. Oh and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be repeating it and so should you. Worked through your lunch break break the last two days running? Enforce a day bath. Kids safely hooked up to their school classes on Zoom? Take a day bath. Dodging your daily walk because it's pouring down with rain outside? Take. A. Day. Bath. And if you need any more convincing look to science - a decent bath boasts myriad health benefits.

©In Praise Of The Day Bath

The Benefits Of Bathing

According to Suzanne Duckett, the author of Bathe: Rediscover the Ancient Art of Relaxation,£7.49, there are more than enough benefits to bathing to warrant a regular luxurious dunking. In her book Suzanne writes:

'Since ancient times, bathing in water has been equated with physical and mental health, and the science speaks for itself. There is even a term for the practice - balneotherapy - which means the treatment of disease through bathing.'

'Improves circulation and heart health: Taking a hot bath will make your heart work faster and become stronger, giving it a healthy workout and improving circulation. This increases sweating so will help to eliminate toxins, viruses and bacteria from the body.'

'Relieves muscle aches and pains: Baths have always been a tonic for aching muscles. This is because they raise the temperature of sore muscles and block pain receptors, producing pain relief. For athletes who have cold baths after exercise, this lowers the levels of lactic acid in the bloodstream, so muscles can recover faster.'

'Calms the nervous system: Bathing reduces stress and anxiety and can boost mood. A study at the University of Wolverhampton found that a daily bath, usually at the end of the day, significantly improved the mood and optimism of the participants.'

So there you have it! Need any more excuse to run a bath and lock the bathroom door? Browse our edit of the best bath products to shop now too, they'll up the luxe factor of your bath a treat...