Many of us adults think of having a bath as a way of unwinding and relaxing after a long day. There is nothing quite like a warm bath to melt your troubles away and, perhaps, even to meditate. Some people even enjoy a glass of wine, bubbles, music, or other accompaniments to their bath to make it feel even more luxurious.

But there are in fact different moods you can set for yourself with a bath. In particular, another effective way to heighten and elevate your bathing experience is with the aromatherapy magic of essential oils. Depending on what “type” of bath you want to have, there are different essential oils to complement your experience.

The relaxation bath

Arguably, the most cliché type of bath is the one in which we have to unwind. Perhaps you had a hard day at work, or your kids were overly energetic, and they’ve finally gone to bed, or you just need to be alone after a fun – but rowdy — night out. In this event, essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and frankincense are the right choices to let your mind wander, and your body melt into relaxation mode. Couple this with wine or a cup of tea on a bathtub tray, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate bath experience. Most importantly, keep your phone and tablet from encroaching on your relaxation (grab a book instead if you want an activity.) 

The uplifting bath

You may not have thought of taking a bath to help energize yourself before a big night out, but some essential oils like rosemary, thyme, and lemon can give you a boost. Just like a dip in a pool or a nice hot shower can lift your spirits and act as an alternative to caffeine, so too can a bath. Just pair with your favourite upbeat music, try some bubble bath or a bath bomb, and perhaps even give yourself a pedicure while you’re at it. Remember that you don’t have to be particularly “girly” or even a woman, anymore, to admit or consider you enjoy these. (Grab a pumice stone and some moisturizer for your legs and feet… nail polish is optional).

The muscle-soothing bath

Whether you’re an athlete, a hardworking parent, you have a physically-taxing job, or you just have to be on your feet all day, baths also work wonderfully to help soothe achy muscles. Essential oils that complement this experience are lavender, lemongrass, and marjoram. Meanwhile, rose works effectively with its antioxidants to help moisturize and heal skin. When it comes to soothing your muscles and skin, think of complementing this bath with your stereotypical cucumbers on the eyes, classical music, and any other tactic that will encourage you to relax your body. 

Tips and tricks when bathing with essential oils

Perhaps most important to keep in mind when bathing with essential oils is to combine them with an agent before adding them to the water. According to Good Housekeeping, combining whichever essential oils you choose (approximately 3 to 12 drops) with a tablespoon of “carrier” oil, such as coconut, jojoba, olive, or sunflower oil — and only after you’ve added the water to the bath — will keep them from adhering directly to your skin and causing irritation. 

Experts also emphasize being extra-careful in the bathtub if you are using oils. To help keep it from getting too slippery, use baking soda and/or castile soap after you are finished bathing. According to Healthline, you should also perform a ‘patch test’ with essential oils before bathing, to check for allergic reactions; as well as avoid using if pregnant, or your skin is already irritated or inflamed (or you have any cuts or scratches). 

Why baths are bubbling up

For some reason, once we reach a certain age in our childhood, most of us tend to graduate from baths to showers. Many of us never go back, but bath culture has grown significantly, and there’s good reason why. Baths not only help you calm down after a hectic day, or soothe your muscles when you’ve pushed your body a bit too far, they can also energize you; they are multifaceted. And essential oils, with their aromatherapy magic, help add to the variety and elevate your bathing experience. Whether you’re already a bath lover or just starting to consider the idea of baths, consider adding essential oils.

Robyn Karmazyn | Contributing Writer