I'm obsessed with baths.  I try to make time for at least one long bath a week where I can turn everything off and tune out.  It's my time to reconnect with myself - get in tune with my spirit - and just veg out.  I'm one of those people that makes an entire event out of bathing.  I pull out my favorite candles and bath salts, play relaxing music, and lay out my most luxurious towels for the occasion.  I create my own version of heaven and unapologetically stretch it out for as long as I like.  This is my time to center myself, letting all anxieties wash away, and appreciate my body for all the magic that it is. 

Since I'm honoring my body through bathing I like to make sure I'm using products that are safe and nourishing.  For me, this means choosing products that are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates and parabens and that only contain natural scents from safe sources like essential oils, flowers and citrus.  Artificial scents often give me migraines and are usually derived from chemicals that can interrupt our hormones and natural functions.  Because I love beautiful scents I've searched out several products that are non-irritating for me and leave me feeling decadent.  One of those is the surfer soak pictured in this post.  The scent is a divine mixture of eucalyptus and citrus and the salt provides pain relief to sore, achy muscles and joints.  It also contains moisturizing oils so my skin literally feels like silk when I do finally emerge from the tub.  

You definitely don't have to have a chronic condition to enjoy this bath salt, but if you do... Oh. My. God.  It's a game changer.  The magnesium will help you kiss pain goodbye and the scent will have you drifting off into another realm before you even know what's happening.  If you have been diagnosed with a form of dysautonomia like Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS) or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) you may be discouraged by past bath experiences (as the heat can cause vasodilation and bring on symptoms).  I too have had issues with bathing from time to time.  If this is you, or if you find baths draining for another reason, see the tips below to get on your way to happy bathing!

Tips:

In my experience I have learned that the key is water temperature.  I like my baths warm enough to enjoy while soaking the pain away and not too hot to make my blood pressure plummet and send me into a tail spin.  I generally opt for checking the temp on the inside of my wrist while running water and then get in before the bath is full.  By doing this I can alter the water temperature to suit my needs once I'm in and my body has adjusted.  I also run a bit of cold water on my feet to lower my body temperature if I feel I am getting overheated.  Keeping a rag on hand, soaking it with cold water, and placing on the back of my neck or forehead is also a nice option if I am feeling too warm.  I try to avoid that circumstance by keeping the water temperature a little cooler than I may think I want it while filling the tub.  I can always add warmer water once settled if necessary.  If you are more comfortable with firm boundaries, you can always use a thermometer to check the water temperature.  If you keep the water temp around the same number as your body temperature it shouldn't feel cold once you are submerged and it won't raise your internal temperature, which can sometimes cause adverse side effects.  The most important thing is to pay attention to how you are feeling and make adjustments along the way!