Have you just had a stressful week? Taking a shower under the shower can relax you just as much as taking a bath. Plus, you don't have to waste time waiting for the tub to fill up. You can do many things to make the bathing experience more relaxing. The following article will give you some tips and ideas.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Creating the Atmosphere
Step 1. Play some soft, relaxing music
Turn on the radio or connect a portable music player to loudspeaker. You can play any kind of music that can relax you. If you don't have any ideas, here are some suggestions:
- Zen
- Jazz
- Classic
- Instrumental music, especially piano
- Nature sounds, such as rain, rivers, and birdsong
Step 2. Turn off the lights and light some candles
Bright bathrooms are often dazzling. If you have a headache, bright light can make the headache worse. Candles emit a soft glow, and create a more calm and relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom. Place the candle on top of the bathroom cabinet so it doesn't fall out.
- If using real candles worries you, consider using battery-powered candles instead. Many newer products have a soft, flickering orange glow, much like a real candle. Some can even give off a scent.
- You might consider buying Himalayan salt crystals (Himalayan salt lamp). Some can be connected to electricity, while others require candles. These salt crystals emit a soft glow, and can help purify the air.
Step 3. Try hanging some lavender on the shower head
Tie a few lavender stalks together with a piece of string. Make a loop at the end of the rope, and hang a flower on the shower head. The heat and steam from the shower will help the lavender release its sweet, soothing aroma.
- Many people choose eucalyptus and lemongrass because they are both relaxing and refreshing.
- You can also fill a deodorizer bottle with essential oils and place it near the shower cubicle instead.
Step 4. Try adding live plants
The green color of plants will liven up the atmosphere of the bathroom, while helping to make the bathroom more calm and relaxing. Choose plants that like moist environments and don't need a lot of sun, such as orchids, ivy, and philodendrons.
- Philodendron doesn't even need soil. This plant can thrive in a small vase filled with fresh water.
- If you're not "cold-handed" at all, consider decorating your bathroom with faux plants instead. Choose green ivy over flowers. That way, the fake plant will look like it blends in with the atmosphere around it.
Step 5. Get out your fancy towel
Choose the largest, softest, and most fluffy towel. If you have such a towel with an interesting pattern or fringe, take it out. These towels will help make the relaxing atmosphere of the bathroom last longer.
- Large, white and fluffy towels will provide a spa-like atmosphere. The spa itself in general provides a very relaxing atmosphere.
- In addition to comfortable towels, consider preparing a soft and fluffy bathrobe for you to wear after your shower.
Step 6. Consider transferring bath products into a pretty shaped glass or plastic container
This will give the bathroom a more luxurious atmosphere, and in the end can make bathing more relaxing. Choose pretty bottles with pumps, or soap dispensers, and pour liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner into these bottles.
If you use a bar of soap, consider placing it in a pretty soap holder
Part 2 of 3: Improving the Bathing Experience
Step 1. Exercise or do homework before you shower to make it more fun
You can choose simple exercises like walking or jumping jacks, or a complex workout at the gym for an hour. The body will crave a hot shower after all that exercise. Exercise will make the body tired so that bathing activities will feel more relaxed.
Step 2. Meditate or fantasize about something pleasant if you are stressed
Think about something you love, or about a recent DIY craft project. You can also try to imagine all your problems running down the drain with the shower water.
Step 3. Heat a towel in the clothes dryer before taking a shower
That way, the towels will be warmer and softer when you're done showering. If you have a bathrobe, consider heating it too.
Step 4. Try to prepare everything you need before taking a shower
Searching for shampoo in the middle of a shower and then realizing that what you're looking for isn't there and so you have to step out of the shower into the cold bathroom to look for it is not something relaxing. Instead, make sure everything you need to shower is ready and still stocked.
Step 5. Choose the most comfortable water temperature for you
However, keep in mind that water that is too hot is not good for your skin and hair as it can dry them out. If you like hot showers, try not to be too long, no more than 20 minutes. Use a moisturizer after that.
Step 6. Treat yourself to your favorite bath products
If you have special shower gels and soaps you've been saving for special occasions, now's a great time to use them. Use a scrub to get rid of dead skin cells, and body butter (after bathing) to moisturize the skin. If you don't have a favorite bath product, consider using something lavender-scented. Lavender is often used during the aromatherapy process to help relieve stress.
Consider making your own bath products. There's nothing quite as luxurious as homemade bath products. Read this article to find out how to make some bath products
Step 7. Massage your scalp while you shampoo your hair
Massage not only helps to refresh the scalp, but also helps relieve stress. Tilt your head, close your eyes and gently massage your scalp with your fingertips.
Step 8. Do a facial massage if you feel stressed
Close your eyes and massage your entire face in slow circular motions. If you have a face wash that also exfoliates your skin, now is a good time to get it out.
If you are stressed, focus on massaging the eye area, forehead and temples
Step 9. Don't forget to pamper yourself after showering
Relaxation need not end once you step out from under the shower. There are several things you can do to make that comfortable feeling last longer. Here are some ideas you might consider:
- Spread lavender-scented body butter. The body butter will help lock the moisture in the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. You can even massage while applying it to help you feel more relaxed.
- Put on a warm, soft bathrobe after towel drying. This will help make your bathing experience feel like a spa, especially if you have a pedicure after that.
- Enjoy a cup of hot chamomile tea. If you don't like chamomile tea, try another herbal or decaffeinated tea.
- Take a short nap or enjoy a book or movie. If you still have work to do, consider taking a nap, reading, or doing another activity you enjoy for about an hour. This will relax you and prepare you for the next job.
Part 3 of 3: Using Homemade Products
Step 1. Consider using a homemade scrub
Homemade bath products will feel more luxurious and more relaxed than store-bought products. You can make it as you wish. Most importantly, homemade products do not contain harmful chemicals. This section will give you some ideas for making your own relaxing bath products. Make these bath products ahead of time so you can use them for this relaxing bath.
Step 2. Make a sugar scrub
Combine 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 drop of lavender essential oil. This mixture is enough to use for one relaxing bath.
You can find essential oils in health food stores and in some arts and crafts stores
Step 3. Make an aromatherapy shower tab
Mix 170 grams of baking soda, 115 grams of citric acid, and 115 grams of cornstarch. Add 15 to 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Spray the mixture with water 10 to 20 times. Don't let the mixture sizzle. Pour the mixture into a silicone ice mold. You can also print it out with a spoon and place it on a tray. Let dry overnight. How to use: place the shower tab on the shower cubicle floor and turn on the shower. The shower tab will start to sizzle, and give off a nice aroma.
If you can't find cornstarch, use cornstarch instead
Step 4. Make an aromatic bath powder
Mix 360g of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of crushed dried lavender and 2 tablespoons of crushed dried chamomile (or tea) leaves. Add the following essential oils 10 to 20 drops each, and mix well. Store in an airtight jar. When you shower, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the powder mixture onto the shower floor. The powder will fizz and bubble, releasing a fragrant aroma.
- Bergamot
- cedar wood
- eucalyptus
- lavender
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- If you can't find one of the essential oils above, double the amount of one of the other oils.
Step 5. Make a luxurious body butter to use after bathing
Using a double boiler, combine cup of each of the following ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil. Add 120 ml of a light oil, such as almond, jojoba or olive. Stir all ingredients until melted, then remove from double boiler and add 10 to 30 drops of lavender essential oil. Leave in the freezer for at least an hour, or until the mixture hardens.
- Store body butter in an airtight container. If the room temperature in your home is over 24 °C, you may need to refrigerate it to prevent it from getting too mushy.
- Consider substituting some of the lavender essential oil for vanilla oil for a lavender-vanilla scent.
- How to use body butter: apply body butter all over the body, just like a lotion.
- To make the whipped body butter: remove the mixture from the freezer once it has hardened, but is still soft. Beat with a hand mixer for 10 minutes, or until mixture is light and fluffy. Leave in the freezer for another 10 to 15 minutes to harden.
Step 6. Make a stick lotion
Using a double boiler, combine 1 cup coconut oil, 1 cup shea butter or cocoa butter, and 1 cup beeswax pellets. To make a more healthful stem lotion, add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Stir everything until melted, then add 10 to 30 drops of lavender essential oil. After all the ingredients are well mixed, pour it into the silicone ice mold. Wait for the stick lotion to harden and cool, then remove it from the mold.
How to use the lotion bar: rub the lotion all over the body. This lotion is also great for massage
Tips
- Use products that smell pleasant and you like. A big part of your efforts to pamper yourself and relax is to use body scrubs and soaps that make your body smell good and make you feel great.
- Take a moment to close your eyes and let the hot water run down your face.
- Try to clean your bathroom. This will create the impression of luxury like in a spa in the bathroom. A dirty shower cubicle will not relax you.
- Consider purchasing a luxury shower head with a choice of water sprays with a massaging effect.
- Prepare everything you need before you step into the shower. That way, you won't have the hassle of having to get out of the bathroom.
