Labor Day Reset: Calming Bath Recipes

Labor Day is a holiday that honors the American Labor Movement and working people everywhere. Whether you’re clocking 8:00am-5:00pm outside the home, grinding it out in the home office, or wrangling your kids as a stay-at-home-mom, one thing’s for sure, you’re working hard. And sometimes the last person on our to-do list is ourselves. Why not celebrate this Labor Day with some self-care?

Not sure where to start? I’ve got one recommendation - the bath!

Aside from the general state of relaxation you’ll feel submerging yourself (and all your worries and stress) in a warm tub, baths provide loads of other benefits including boosting your mood, helping you sleep better, relieving aches and pains, calming skin irritation, and--if you’re sick--helping to alleviate some symptoms.

Now don’t just run a bath and sit in it, make it completely luxurious. Add salts, oils, candles, music, wine (if that’s your thing) and remember, quality matters. Our skin is our biggest organ and it soaks up everything we put on it, so be sure that you’re using pure, organic, all-natural products to enhance your soak.

Read on for some of my favorite bath concoctions.

Lavender Coconut Milk Soak

This mix will nourish your skin, help to fight free radicals, encourage healing, and overall calm your mind. You’ll need:

• ½ cup of baking soda
• ½ cup of organic coconut milk powder
• 10 drops of vanilla essential oil
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil

Simple Soak

This simple bath will give your body a good dose of magnesium which helps with relaxation, soothe any aching muscles, aid in regulating your blood pressure, and regenerate skin cells. The bath can also reduce swelling and detoxify your system.

• 1 cups Epsom salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• 10 drops of chamomile oil

Eucalyptus Green Tea Soak

This eucalyptus green tea soak is high in antioxidants, treats dry skin, and opens the chest.

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1 tablespoon matcha powder
• ½ cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Cinnamon-Vanilla Milk Bath

Milk baths can help with exfoliation, inflammation, and replenishing hydration. They can also help soothe eczema, psoriasis, and other skin irritations like poison ivy or sunburn. This bath is safe for most people, but not everyone. If you have sensitive skin, a milk allergy, or are pregnant, you  may want to skip this one.

Combine the following ingredients in a mason jar and shake before adding to your bath water.

• 2 cups milk (full fat is best)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

There’s no such thing as a “perfect” bath temperature across the board. For most, the temperature should be around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially, you want your water just slightly warmer than body temperature and not scalding.

For optimal results, sit for about 20 minutes and consider stepping into the shower to rinse your body with cool water when you’re done. Doing this will bring the body back to a natural state of homeostasis--plus you’ll feel relaxed and balanced.

What’s your favorite bath time mix?