Few would argue, there aren’t many stresses and strains that can’t be remedied by soaking in a long, hot bath... or even a jacuzzi, should you happen to have access to one!
Hot water immersion, as it’s formally known, is one if the most accessible and broad-spectrum therapies we (mostly) all have at our disposal.... and there’s no better time to take advantage than in the wake of 2020s upheaval.
As poet and novelist Sylvia Plath once wrote, ‘I am sure there are things that can’t be cured by a good bath, but I can’t think of one.’
... she might have had a point!
The benefits mainly come from the effect of hot water immersion on core body temperature, which in turn helps to improve circulation, release muscle tension and strengthen and synchronise circadian rhythms... thereby improving sleep.
According to an article in the Guardian, your bathwater should be just a little hotter than body temperature (about 37C) - so somewhere between 40C and 45C - for best results.
Right now, it’s a fitting time to ‘tap in’ to the power of hot water immersion, whether via your local spa... or even just the private ‘retreat’ that is your own bathroom!
⚠️ If you suffer from heart problems, avoid hot baths, especially on cold days.