Photo by FeatherWeatherK
The bubble bath is long revered as the ultimate self-care ritual. Hot water pulls the stress right out of a body made rigid by a day of decisions, petty arguments, computers, traffic – all the tiny frustrations that plague modern life.
The steaming water alone is enough to change the energy inside your body and mind, but something about those bubbles – it turns a simple cleansing activity into something so much more luxurious and special.
Baths have many more therapeutic benefits than simply helping you to relax.
I’m re-discovering this simple (and cheap!) ritual as a midlife ally. (Although it you’re dealing with big time hot flashes you might want to dial down the temp a little.)
Not only will a precious 15 minutes immersed in hot water take you away from the responsibilities and cares of the day, allowing you some uninterrupted time to just be with your sweet little self – a warm bath can wind you down, and open you up enough that you might possibly locate your libido when it’s time to crawl into bed with your husband or partner.
No promises there though! It’s just a possible fringe benefit for some women. Other allies may be needed for lost libido, including herbs, dietary adjustments and/or counseling.
Hot water can also relieve minor cramping and pain – especially wonderful if, like me, you suffer from the perimenopausal symptom of period-like cramps that last for weeks on end.
Add some candlelight, a cup of tea or glass of wine, and perhaps some soothing music and a little bit of heaven has arrived in your bathroom.
What About Those Bubbles?
I remember my mother pouring in the perfumey white powder out of the big pink Mr. Bubble box each night before I climbed into a bath with my sisters. We’d spend near on an hour playing with those bubbles, making up games. (That break time from the kids was probably more therapeutic for my mom than taking her own bubble bath!)
But now-a-days who wants to use Mr. Bubble to froth up that relaxing bath? (Do they even make Mr. Bubble anymore? I’m probably dating myself…) That was like putting laundry detergent into the tub.
The point of your bubble bath is to deeply nourish and relax not just your body, but your mind and soul too.
That means using a bubble bath that leaves your skin feeling silky and moisturized, one that utilizes the powers of aromatherapy to induce the relaxation, stress relief, or whatever therapeutic results you are going for when you turn on that hot water.
That’s why you want to choose natural, moisturizing ingredients and to avoid perfumes and stick with pure essential oils.
One unfortunate problem is the stuff that makes those frothy, smile-inducing bubbles.
The sad reality is that many bubble baths use harsh soap ingredients and other nasty chemicals that drain away our precious skin moisture.
And since all bubble baths are not created equal, you’ll want to take care when purchasing, or even make your own.
You can also ditch the bubbles completely and still savor the bath experience, using bath salts, oils, herbs in a muslin bag, or adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
To me, one of the simplest and quickest paths to a bath-induced attitude adjustment is through aromatherapy.
Essential oils (which are a completely different animal than perfumes or fragrance oils) can uplift the spirit, soothe a worn out brain, penetrate sore and achy muscles, invite sensuality and love – and so much more.
You can take the easy (and relatively inexpensive route) of purchasing ready-made aromatherapy bath products at your local health food store or online. Many companies such as Aura Cacia make potent and lovely bath salts and oils that incorporate essential oils to create an extraordinary bathing experience.
My recommendation? Whether you’re going for bubbles, bath salts or oil, always check the labels and choose a product that contains real essential oils and no fragrance.
Not only will these be gentler on your skin, but you will derive actual therapeutic effects, rather than just immersing yourself in a sweet smelling tub of water. Fruity scents (with the exception of citrus), and some of the tropical scents like coconut are almost always derived from synthetics. Beware!
Become a label reading fanatic, and ask if you don’t recognize an ingredient. This one thing can turn your bathing experience from just a lovely way to spent a half hour into a remarkably therapeutic experience – making a profound difference to your health and well being.
A Bath Is A Date With Yourself
Many women have spent a lifetime (at least the adult part of it) taking care of others. We give to our spouses, to our kids, our bosses, our co-workers. We volunteer, we take care of pets, we look after just about everyone but ourselves.
Few of us can even remember how to go about a practice of self-nurturing.
Well, a regular bathing date is a good way to start!
Although some of the more luxurious natural bubble bath products out there can put a dent in your wallet, you can still find some high quality solutions that won’t dip into next week’s lunch budget.
And when you think about it an ounce or two of bubble bath is still a heck of a lot cheaper than a couple of cocktails. And you get to wake up feeling refreshed and cared for, instead of dehydrated and tired.
Really, a bath is a cheap date!
Give These Bubble Baths A Try
Usually I like to whip up my own bubble bath concoctions (you’ll see in the recipes below how easy this is). But since I’m in a transitional space right now – not even settled into a home I can call my own – last week I decided to treat myself on my birthday with some store-bought bubble bath.
This was hard because my penny-pinching inner critic did not approve of my spending the equivalent of my daily food budget on something I could make myself.
I was able to talk her down by reasoning out that purchasing the ingredients would cost even more. And even though I could make much more bubble bath with said ingredients, I’d then I’d have to store and move them.
We were both delighted to discover a budget-friendly bubble bath product I’d never seen, at the New Seasons natural foods store here in Portland.
On sale for just $9.95 (usually about $11.95 I think), Everyday Shea Moisturizing Shea Butter 
Since it’s often a bit of a challenge to find a bubble bath that isn’t crammed with chemicals and perfumes, I’ve often chosen baby bath products in the past. (And why not? Remember this is a ritual to baby your SELF!)
Of course, keep in mind that no commercial product will be quite as pure and clean as the ones you make yourself. That said, here are a few more options:
Several other scent combos are available, including “Calming” and “I Love You.” No sodium lauryl sulfate!
$13.99 for 13 oz. won’t set you back too much.
EO Bubble Baths – This is another high quality company, and you may have come across their attractive blue bottles of hand soap, shampoos and other aromatherapy body care products. Vegetable glycerine, herbal extracts and coconut pamper your skin. Always made with pure essential oils.
This one is readily available in natural food stores and other shops. About $11.99 for 12 oz.
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Bubble Bath. I’ll admit I’m kind of bummed that Burt’s Bees got so
Add your own essential oils to scent this clean product. Easy to find anywhere. About $9.00 for 12 oz.
Or Just Make Your Own
Okay, so it’s pretty easy to make your own bubble bath. But, keep in mind that the more natural the recipe the less huge and lathery the bubbles. Yet, what you lose in bubbly effect you gain in health benefits and the knowledge that you are being kinder to the Earth.
Simple & Bubbly
1 cup unscented natural baby shampoo
1/4 cup oil (almond, calendula or coconut oils work well)
10-15 drops essential oils (see suggested combos below or just use lavender or my current fave – neroli.)
Mix ingredients in a large measuring cup on medium sized bowl using a whisk. Pour into a pretty bottle and use 1-2 fluid ounces per bath.
Ideas for essential oil blends:
Uplift and brighten your energy with 4 drops orange, 2 drops geranium, 3 drops lavender and 4 drops sandalwood.
Soften, sooth & relax with 5 drops lavender, 4 drops mandarin, 2 drops neroli, 2 drops vanilla
Clean & Natural Bubbles
1 quart of distilled water
1 4-oz bar of castille soap (melted in microwave)
OR 4 ounces liquid castille soap
4 ounces liquid vegetable glycerin
15-20 drops essential oils
Mix first three ingredients together and stir well. Add in essential oils and pour into bottles. Use about 4 oz. per bath.
You can find castille soap, vegetable glycerine and even your essential oils at Mountain Rose Herbs.
What’s your take on the bubble bath debate? Is the luxurious lather worth the compromise of only slightly sketchy ingredients? Do you prefer salts and oils? (Watch for my future bathing update with recipes for bath salts and other bubble bath alternatives!)
Share your bathing blather below in the comments – or over on Facebook! See you there!
