A
bath drawn just right and the mood set perfectly can be an enriching
experience. The rigours of life leave even the strongest and the most
stoic minds exhausted and in need of a sensuous retreat. Not all of us
have the time or the resources to make visits to spas as a regular
habit. If it's relaxation and rejuvenation on your mind, a well-drawn
bath with accessories suiting your needs will do it every time.

The Past, The Present and The Future

The
benefits are not limited to stress relief. There is a reason why the
immersion of the body in water has been such an enduring practice over
the annals of time. We all know of the Roman and the Greek bathhouses
that existed solely for the purpose of bathing. It was then seen as a
communal activity, where citizens could conduct business and socialize.
Baths were seen as the key to maintaining good health.

Fast
forward to the 21st century and recent studies have echoed those
beliefs. One study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine,
showed that diabetics who spent just half an hour in a hot tub could
reduce their blood sugar levels by around 13 per cent - as the heat
dilated their blood vessels, the blood-flow improved and the body made
better with the use of its insulin, the hormone that converts blood
sugar into energy. Another study in Japan claims that 10 minutes in a
warm bath improved cardiovascular health in elderly men and women,
helping them to cope better in exercise tests and reducing pain.

Starting out

“The
temperature of the water is very important,” opined a housewife for
whom taking baths during the precious bits of free time available to her
is an invaluable source of rejuvenation. “It should not be so hot that
it takes an exercise of will just to get in. Remember, this is for
stress relief, so you shouldn't be stressed out about getting in. The
temperature should ideally be warm, just how much is up to the
individual. You can also draw the curtains in order to trap the heat for
the maximum possible time.”

Accessorize

Relaxation is a
state of mind and bathing is a process. The right accessories can get
you into that frame of mind. A comfortable, pampering bath robe and soft
towels will do the trick. And that's not all. To create a mood of
meditative serenity, add scented candles to the mix.

The essentials

Now
that the peripherals are out of the way, it is time for the main
ingredients. Whenever there is talk of baths, bath salts can't be too
far behind. Universally accepted as beneficial to the skin, high quality
natural bath salts can take years off your appearance by helping your
body defend against climate, genetics and other elements that speed up
the aging process. They cleanse the skin and soften the rougher parts of
our bodies, like the knees, elbows and heels. Hold a spoonful under
running water as you are drawing the bath, allowing the salts to release
their fragrance and oils as they mix with the bath water. Almas
Superstore carries a range of bath salts including strawberry, blueberry
and orange, all containing vitamins C and E.

Bath oils do a
world of good to dry or damaged skin. Oil is the perfect skin therapy to
use in a bath because the warmth of the water helps the oil absorb into
your skin. The right oil will enable you to leave the bath with your
previously dry skin feeling healthy and nourished.

Bath soaps are
another vital part of a refreshing soak in the tub. Natural soaps like
those of The Body Shop, also found at Almas are usually handmade,
created with pure and natural ingredients. They leave the skin feeling
soft and supple. It must be noted that these should be acquired from
reputable companies, as the wrong type could cause the skin to dry out.

Last but not the least, nothing says “pamper” like a foam
bath. For many, foam or bubble baths add the finishing touch to the
experience of being transported away to another, more peaceful world.
There are a lot of foaming creams around, each having different
ingredients (Vaseline's version enriched with Chamomile is highly
recommended by the lady behind the counter at Almas) to suit your needs.

Atmosphere

You
can't create a mood without music. To get into the relaxed frame of
mind, it is best to stick to soothing instrumental music, such as the
western classics or our own Sitar aficionados. You can also take a novel
or magazine that you have been wanting to read but just not had the
time, to the bath with you.

The most important thing to remember
is that those 20 30 minutes are for you and you only. In the end,
whether you emerge relaxed or not is up to you. You have to embrace this
bit of relief from stress just as the warm water and all its
ingredients embrace you when you settle in. You know best what tone to
set to help you unwind. Choose the right ingredients and the right
setting, and meet them halfway.