Bathing is healthy and beneficial for body and soul. But how do you really get it right, and what do you need to think about before jumping into the tub? We’ve put together some useful tips, interesting facts and pointers on how to get the most out of the beneficial effects of bathing.
It’s all about choosing the right time: To make the most efficient use of the relaxing effect of a bath, the best time of day is in the evening around 9.00 pm, just before you go to sleep. Bathing makes you tired and so it’s a great way to prepare for night-time. A cold bath, on the other hand, refreshes you and gets your circulation going. So you need to choose the time of day carefully, for instance in the morning or afternoon.
Bath water temperature: If you want to refresh yourself and stimulate your circulation, choose a cold bath. But avoid water temperatures lower than 15 degrees Celsius. It’s particularly important to keep cold baths short. Just a few seconds are enough to get the circulation going. If you spend too long in a cold bath you risk hypothermia.
The bath water shouldn’t be too hot
A hot bath is primarily used for relaxation. The recommended water temperature is between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. The bath water should not be any hotter than that: If the temperature is too high it may put a strain on the cardiovascular and circulatory system. And skin is de-moisturized at higher temperatures. The recommended time for a hot bath is 15 to 20 minutes.
Staying in the bath too long can damage the circulation and dry out your skin. So a bath should normally not last more than 20 minutes. But it should last a minimum of five minutes to allow you to gain any benefit from the relaxing and beneficial effects of bathing. And how often? One to two baths a week are advisable.
A little tip for any cool bathing friends: If you take a cold bath you should only stay in the water for a few seconds and then warm yourself up properly. So let’s go: Hop in the tub!
Many women are deterred from bathing during pregnancy. They are worried about harming their baby and in the worst case endangering its health. But these fears are ungrounded: You can bathe even if you’re pregnant. Particularly since it is just as relaxing for the unborn child as for the mother-to-be. But bear two things in mind.
Don’t have the temperature of the bath water too high. The water should be warm, but not hot and never more than 38 degrees Celsius. Temperatures higher than this might induce premature labor. It also puts a strain on the already hard working circulatory system, which of course is something to avoided particularly during pregnancy. It’s best if the mother-to-be is not alone in the house during the bath.
With the length of the bath also aim for quality rather than quantity. The bath should not last more than 15 minutes. The reason for this is once again the hard working circulatory system. If the bath lasts longer than necessary there is a risk that your blood pressure will drop too rapidly when you get out of the bathtub. As a result, your circulation collapses. So get out of the tub slowly and give your body time to get used to the colder room temperature.
Large quantities aren’t always the most effective approach, and that also applies to bath additives. But there is no right answer to the question of what the ideal quantities of bath additives are. Simply because bath tubs are different sizes and hold different amounts of water, or the amounts of bath oils, bath salts and co. differ. To be on the safe side, just have a look at the product packaging, which will often have recommendations for a 100 liter bathtub. The amounts generally range from 10 to 50 ml.
The quantity makes a subtle difference: A full bath comes up to your neck, the three-quarter bath comes up to your chest. The only difference between the two is the stimulating effect on your body. A full bath is more stimulating: your whole body benefits from the water pressure and relaxes. Stimulation is less in a three-quarter bath, but this may also be an advantage: Since less of your body is covered with water in a three-quarter bath, you can stay in it longer.
Bathing doesn’t just get you clean, it makes you happy too! What could be nicer than escaping the daily grind or stress for a few minutes and having a real soak in your own bathtub.
There’s a lot that bathing can do. From relaxing to revitalizing, gently stimulating your circulation or getting your metabolism going. And the best thing is: You feel reborn afterwards.
But what other reasons are there for having a little time for yourself more often and pampering yourself with a really good soak? Here are our top five reasons:
1. Bathing helps you relax.
2. Bathing helps to relieve stress.
3. Bathing promotes good sleep patterns.
4. Bathing relieves muscle tension.
5. Bathing strengthens your immune system.
After a stressful day at the office, a tiring training session at the gym, or just because you feel like it: A nice hot bath between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius is the perfect way to benefit your body and soul. But to recuperate fully you should rest after bathing or even go straight to sleep. So: Put your mobile away, turn out the light and close your eyes!
A cold bath between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius, however, has a refreshing and revitalizing effect - just what you need when you feel tired but don’t want to. So exercise is just what you need after a cold bath! Your heart rate increases, your circulation gets going, increasing the blood supply around your body. So after bathing have a gentle walk or go for a jog.
That’s a male prejudice. We say: Forget that old cliché from a bygone era! Actually, more and more men are discovering the beneficial power of relaxing baths.
19 per cent of men take time at least once a week for a lengthy soak in the bath. Although the percentage of women is still much higher: A good 32 per cent of them get into the tub at least once a week, but the trend is clearly going in one direction: People - including men - love bathing!
The increased selection of bath products aimed at men is probably one more reason why “he” enjoys a soak more often these days. Whilst men used to have to make do with bath additives with “feminine” fragrances such as lavender or rose until a few years ago, they can now treat themselves to brisker bath essences. Cool mint, cedar or lemon grass are just a few examples of product that are tailored specifically to men’s needs.
Men want top quality too.
The discerning man will enjoy the natural ingredients in Kneipp Nourishing Foam Bath Just for Men, the interplay of a masculine fragrance, intense color and long-lasting bubbles makes this bath a holistic experience for the senses. But men in particular will also enjoy other products such as “Walk in the Woods”, “Pure Relaxation” or “Active Muscles”.
