By: Malena Esposito

**This article has been written by a bath-taking professional

Imagine; it’s the weekend, nobody is home, and all your work is finished. You turn on your favorite music, light a few candles, and add a bath bomb before submerging yourself into the hot water. No matter how old you are, a nice soak in a warm tub always seems like a perfect way to unwind. Whether you add bubbles, bath salts, or decide to leave it to the refreshing water, there’s no denying that a hot bath is incredibly soothing. But what do we get from it? What is it about a tub filled with water that causes our worries to wash right down the drain, so far from thought?

One of my favorite benefits I receive from taking baths is aid in sleep. A hot bath prepares us for a good night’s rest because when emerged in warm water, the body’s temperature increases. This relaxes the muscles, alleviating us mentally and physically. It is also why athletes take baths, seeing that it can soothe joint pain, over-stretched muscles, and other minor sports injuries.

Baths can also be beneficial to those suffering from heart conditions, as the hot water assists in lowering blood pressure. However, this could be a danger to those with such conditions due to the increased heart rate. A warm soak is, in a way, an mini-exercise for our heart and blood vessels. The water creates a physical pressure on our hearts, causing them to work faster and produce sweat. But even sweating can be yet another bath benefit. When we sweat, toxins are brought to the surface of our skin. On top of this, hot water also opens up our pores, making it a great way to cleanse our largest organ.

But it doesn’t just stop there, either. In addition to making bath water colorful and fizzy, bath bombs have been proven to be beneficial as well. In any bath bomb recipe, whether it be homemade or store-bought, the two main ingredients are baking soda and citric acid. The baking soda reacts with the acid, releasing carbon dioxide gas, as well as all of the oils, fragrances, sparkles, and rose petals added earlier on. Baking soda is primarily used in cosmetic products such as deodorant and food scrubs, acting as a cleanser and exfoliator. Found in lemons, limes, and oranges, citric acid is an antioxidant that reduces the effects of aging. Citric acid also helps to repair the skin, giving anyone who uses it a youthful glow.

Now that you’ve made it to the end of this article, I can only assume to know what you’re doing. The music is on, and the candles are lit. You’re savoring your favorite song as your brand new bath bomb is fizzing away into a Van Gogh painting. You’re about to take a bath. Either that, or desperately wishing that you were.