Feel like your body is due for a little relaxation? Want to feel as if you have just left a full-body massage without leaving the house or paying a fortune in a high-end spa? Well, a detox bath may be just the thing for you. Our bodies are at risk of toxins on a daily basis from the air we breathe, the food we eat, the medications we take and the water we drink. And when we don't release these toxins, it can be reflected in our health and the way we feel throughout the day. No doubt, finding time to flush out toxins, de-stress or meditate in our busy schedules can be tough. Balancing family, work, and relationship obligations leaves little time to indulge. But dipping into a detox bath allows our bodies and minds time to cleanse and rest in an easy, relaxing and healthy way. Here are some ideas to turn your bath time into a spa fit for a queen Milk and honey bath: As clichéd as it may sound, bathing in milk and honey is a fantastic way to get soft, supple skin. The lactic acid in milk is exfoliating and honey is softening, moisturising, and all-around beautifying. - Pour one or two cups of full-cream milk or 1/2 cup full-fat powdered milk and 1/2 cup honey in your bath water. - Mix well and hop in. Close your eyes and relax. - For full effect, brush your skin lightly and in circular motions with a dry brush or a washcloth before getting in the bathtub. Epsom salts bath: This is an easy and healthy therapy that can enhance your body's natural detox process, lower stress-related hormones, and balance pH levels. - Add two cups of Epsom salts to your bath water (the water should be as hot as you can stand). - Add one cup of baking soda to help neutralise the salts as well as increase mineral absorption. - Add 10 drops of essential oils like jojoba, peppermint, rosemary, lavender or fractionated coconut oil, as well as some dried herbs or flowers like rosemary and chamomile. - Immerse yourself in the water all the way up to your neck. Soak for at least 20 minutes. Get up slowly and rinse off with a cool shower for five minutes to wash away all excreted toxins and to close your skin's pores. - Once dry, you can apply a natural moisturiser free of perfumes, dyes or chemicals. Ginger detox bath: Like taking a sauna or sitting in a steam room, soaking in a ginger bath makes your body sweat a lot and excrete extra amounts of toxins. It also leads to feelings of increased energy. - Add 1/2 cup of freshly grated ginger or a rounded teaspoon of ginger powder to your bath water. - Soak for 15-20 minutes. - A ginger bath will make you sweat profusely for at least an hour afterwards, so wear sweat clothes or a bathrobe. - If you have sensitive skin or are allergy-prone, test the ginger on your skin for irritation before dipping into the bath. - Try drinking ginger tea before bathing to enhance the detox effect. - Make sure that you drink plenty of water after a ginger bath. Ginger detox body scrub: This is a new way to incorporate ginger into your routine. - Combine one tablespoon of fresh ginger, roughly chopped, and ½ cup Epsom salts in a food processor. Pulse a few times until the ginger is ground up and combined. - Remove the mixture to a small bowl and add one tablespoon of lemon juice. - Apply the scrub before your detox bath, but don't scrub sensitive areas. - Before you start scrubbing, fill the bath with hot water. The heat and the ginger will make you sweat and help your body eliminate toxins. They will also help unclog your pores and relax your muscles. Tips for a successful detox bath: Spend about 40 minutes to one hour in the bath for best results. The first 20 minutes will give your body time to remove toxins from your system, while the last 20 to 40 minutes will allow you to absorb the minerals in the water and help you rest and rejuvenate. - Make sure you use hot water. This will help you sweat out impurities. - Do not eat immediately before or after taking a detox bath. Instead, hydrate yourself with filtered water. - Do not use harsh soaps or shampoos after the bath since your pores are open and could absorb chemicals from these products.
