Immerse yourself in the tranquility of a mindful bath. Discover the art of transforming an everyday routine into a meditative experience, promoting relaxation, self-care, and mental clarity. Let's explore the steps to create this serene ritual.
March Mindfulness is Mashable’s series that examines the intersection of meditation practice and technology.
Including mindfulness or meditation practice in almost any ritual, including your self-care soak, can yield significant psychological gains
- For anxious beginners, mindful bathing might feel unhelpfully burdened with expectation and unknowns
- There is no strict, clear formula for taking a mindful bath, but there are some basic guidelines that can help you formulate a mindful bathing routine
Create the time
Establish the intent and purpose of your bath by thinking about what you want out of it
- A pre-bath shower is a good place to start mindfulness practice
- The best course of action for you is influenced by the reason you’re bathing and where your focus lies
Get out of the bath
Around 20 minutes is a good length of time.
- Don’t soak in the tub too long, as this can dry out your skin, regardless of whether you are being mindful or not. Keep your baths to a maximum of 20 minutes.
Prepare the environment
Dim the lights and remove any clutter from around the tub so you aren’t staring at a stressful mess while you soak.
- Decide on your soundscape and forgo the use of a soundtrack, focusing instead on the sound of water sloshing in your tub. Finally, prepare a soothing beverage to sip.
Ease back into life
When you finish your mindful bath, don’t just climb out, pull the plug, and toss yourself back into your personal riptide of stress
- Notice what you’re thinking and feeling, both physically and emotionally, and take stock of the moment
- Pay attention to the sounds, smells, and sights
Prepare the bath
The bath itself is where you’ll most likely engage your senses of smell and touch.
- You don’t have to add anything to your bath at all if you don’t want to – the feel of warm water against your skin is enough to occupy your sense of touch.
- Some common additions include bath salts, bubbles, and essential oils.
Get in the bath and relax
Pay attention to what is happening to you right now, and the sounds, smells, and feelings that you are experiencing
- Allow yourself to appreciate them without judgement, and be present in the moment
- Mindfulness also can be helpful in addressing anxiety
- Notice how they feel, how they change, and how aggressively fighting them rather than letting them pass can sometimes only worsen them
