Benefits of sea salt baths
Benefits of sea salt baths – what are the benefits of a sea salt bath? The winter nights are drawing in and you feel you want to hibernate. But how do you look after yourself during the long winter evenings? Maybe now is the time to start considering a little self-pampering. And in a few months’ time, you can emerge from your hibernation feeling fully refreshed and rejuvenated.
How do I look after myself?
One good way of looking after yourself during the winter months is by taking extra care of your skin. With less sunlight, harsh cold winds, and a drop in both daytime and evening temperatures, any exposed skin can quickly become dry and cracked. So, what better way to look after your skin than lounging in a long warm (not hot) bath?
Bathing not only removes impurities and keeps our skin clean, but bathing in water infused with bath salts also brings additional benefits to our health and well-being.
Sea salt baths are known to relieve tired muscles, help ease stiff joints, soothe sore joints, hydrate your skin, and stimulate circulation. They can also help boost energy levels, build up immunity levels and increase your mood.
Let’s have a look at some of these claims in more detail.
Benefits of sea salt baths
Hydrates dry skin
As mentioned earlier one of the main side effects of cold weather is that our skin tends to dry out more. One way of combating this is by taking baths infused with Dead Sea Salt which will help lock in moisture and nourish your tired dry skin.
Protects your skin
Dead Sea Salt is recommended for bathing for anyone suffering from dry or damaged skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The mineral-rich bath salts can hydrate and promote healthy skin by protecting the skin’s natural barrier.
Just remember not to spend too much time in a salt bath as your skin could become too dry and flaky.
Builds up your immunity
Using sea salts in our regular bathing routine means we are exposing our bodies to high levels of absorptive minerals. These minerals help boost our immunity and our ability to ward off some illnesses and diseases.
A study conducted by Loughborough University shows how having regular warm sea salt baths can have a positive impact on your inflammatory responses, similar to those that you would have after undertaking exercise. They concluded that repeated passive heating may contribute to reducing long-term inflammation which is often present in long-term diseases.
Boost energy levels
We could all do with an increase in our energy levels, especially if our bodies are lacking, or are low, in specific minerals. One such mineral is magnesium. As our bodies cope with growing levels of tiredness our stress levels rise. Relaxing in a salt bath helps restore energy in your cells allowing you to quickly feel rejuvenated and back to your old self without any additional stress.
Sea salt baths can eases sore joints and muscles
By taking a warm salt bath after undertaking sports, or any other heavy lifting or intense physical activity, you can ease tired and sore muscles and joints. The magnesium in the warm water will get to work on those aching joints in no time at all.
Promotes good sleep
What is nicer than a warm salt bath before bedtime? By relaxing in a warm salt bath before bedtime your body can prepare for a restful night’s sleep. When essential oils are added, such as lavender and chamomile, your senses are further exposed to calming and relaxing sensations. Furthermore, if you add oils such as eucalyptus you can help decrease congestion further allowing for a restful night’s sleep. Use this as part of your regular bedtime routine and see the difference for yourself.
Good for overall health
A range of studies has been undertaken which indicate that our general health can be supported and improved by taking regular salt baths. Whether it is boosting our circulatory and nerve functions, or regulating our blood sugar levels, warm salt baths appear to be great for boosting and supporting good overall health.
Can sea salt baths raise blood pressure
The simple answer is ‘no’. Whilst ingesting too much salt can cause high blood pressure, soaking in a salt bath can actually lower your blood pressure as you relax and become calmer. The amount of salt typically used in a sea salt bath is much lower than the amount consumed through dietary sources.
In general, for most healthy individuals, a sea salt bath used occasionally as part of a self-care routine should not significantly impact blood pressure. However, if you have concerns or specific health conditions, it is best to seek professional medical guidance.
Sea salt baths can improve your mood
During the winter months, some people may experience unexplained low moods. There are conditions, such as SAD syndrome, which occur during the darker winter months and they should not be ignored.
One way to help combat these feelings is to take care of your mental well-being.
Try getting outdoors in natural sunlight when you can, soak in warm salt baths, and use essential oils to lift your spirits. Look after yourself guys.
Summary
Salt baths can offer several potential benefits for overall well-being and certain skin conditions. Here is a quick summary of some ways salt baths can be good for you:
- Relaxation and Stress Relief: Taking a salt bath can promote relaxation and help reduce stress. The warm water combined with the minerals in the salt can have a soothing effect on the body and mind, providing a calming and therapeutic experience.
- Skin Health: Salt baths, particularly those using mineral-rich salts like Epsom salt or Dead Sea salt, may benefit certain skin conditions. These salts can help cleanse the skin, remove impurities, and provide minerals that can support skin health. They may be particularly helpful for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin.
- Muscle Relaxation: Salt baths, especially those with Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), can aid in muscle relaxation and relief from muscle soreness or tension. The magnesium in Epsom salt is believed to promote muscle relaxation and ease discomfort.
- Improved Sleep: Taking a salt bath before bedtime may help improve sleep quality. The relaxation benefits and the potential muscle relaxation from the salts can contribute to a more restful night’s sleep.
- Detoxification: Some proponents suggest that salt baths can assist the body in detoxification by drawing out toxins through the skin. However, the scientific evidence supporting this claim is limited, and the body primarily relies on organs like the liver and kidneys for detoxification.
Taking regular sea salt baths can be beneficial for both your body and your mind. A sea salt bath detox is a great way of looking after yourself. Why not also try adding some simple essential oils to create calming atmospheres or help as an aid to a restful night’s sleep.
More ideas
If you would like to read more articles about salt, the many varieties there are and their uses then use the following links below to learn more.