Meditating in the bathtub
One of the ladies that I work with has a bath every single evening when she gets home from work. Even if she doesn’t get home until 10pm, she still has her nightly bath. She’s also a lovely, sweet, very laid-back woman, even though her job must be an incredibly stressful one as an executive director. I can see how taking a bath could certainly contribute to helping a person to be at peace and be able to handle stressful situations with poise.
Since hearing about her bath habit in December, I started thinking about baths. I never really thought of myself as a “bath” person. I get bored of them. I don’t really like water. But when she mentioned her ritual, it actually sounded like a really good idea. Unwinding at the end of the day with a hot bath grew more appealing the more I thought about it.
After I received several different bath bombs and bubble bath liquid for Christmas, I figured that it was time for me to have a bath. And oh my goodness it felt amazing. I’ve had a couple more baths after that first one, and each time I bring my portable heater, a mug of tea, and an easy-to-read book into the bathroom with me. Especially with it being the dead of winter, having a bath just warms you up and relaxes your mind and your body.
But it wasn’t until last night when I happily slipped into the tub (at the end of a -35 degrees freeze-your-chin-off day) that I had what I think can be called a Real Bath. That is, I read a few pages of my book, and then I put it down. And I enjoyed my bath quietly. I did absolutely nothing except lie in the bathtub.
That, to me, is a Real Bath: when you can get in the tub and do nothing. Just enjoy it and savour it. We’ve talked about meditation before, and I think that having a bath is a fantastic way to meditate. Just close your eyes, breathe deeply, and empty your mind. This was a great personal victory for me, to be able to do nothing for a half hour. If you’re a person who feels restless if they aren’t multi-tasking with at least six different things on the go, it might be time to start having a bath once a week. Re-connect with yourself and enjoy some down-time!
Warning: It is inadvisable to take a bath early in the day or before you need to go out in the evening. Baths are best taken an hour or two before bedtime. Common side effects include drowsiness, total relaxation, and complete contentedness.
Are you a bath person? How do you unwind at the end of the day?
-35 degrees?!
I haven’t taken a bath in while, but I must say I do enjoy them. It is hard though to just do nothing for a while. I should probably practice more often.
And that’s without the windchill 😉 I’ve heard that Winnipeg has been declared as the coldest city in the world… thus earning its nickname “Winterpeg”. It’s brutal.
Our lives are always so busy – it’s good to slow down once in a while!
I LOVE this idea. It’s actually something I’ve already found works very well for me. I use lavender bath salts. True indulgence, and I’m worth it!!
Oooh lavendar bath salts WOULD be lovely.
Yurk. The idea of lounging around in my own filth? No thank you.
However, the idea of a hot, candle-lit bubble bath as a form of foreplay… well THAT I’m all over.
Hahaha! (But then aren’t you just lounging around in both your own filth AND someone else’s? Hmmm philosophization may be necessary).
Also you know me. My place is always clean! Well, mostly. My tub is cleaned regularly 😀
Oh I feel your cold, sister! It’s way below zero here too. Unfortunately I can’t sympathize with the bath. For some reason I have always hated baths… something about sitting around naked in my own filth. Anyhow, I can’t bathe, only shower! But a nice hot shower is relaxing!
Crap, that sounds awesome! My place is not “conducive” to baths unfortunately… 🙁 I would if I could!
At night, I watch some recorded TV that makes me smile or laugh…. I don’t apologize for watching it either as I worked out hard enough to earn it! 🙂
Good for you for not apologizing for watching it! The things that make us smile should be celebrated, not hidden as a dirty secret.
A VERY long time ago, when I lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (also home to -35*C without the windchill) and was attending Veterinary College, I lived in an old house that have a bath but no shower. Every evening after long days of school, classes, and studying, I would run the tub, and just before sliding in, I would put on a record (a LP record….I did say it was a very long time ago) and then soak in the tub and listen to my wonderful 70’s music, and utterly de-stress from the day. It was heavenly and I have very fond memories of just soaking in hot water, listening to groovy tunes and not thinking of anything. Now that I think of it, it was the best way to relax and achieve “contentedness”.
Note to self: must return to my youth and re-explore those wonderful times.
That must be where I get my newfound enjoyment of baths from, mother dear! And I believe you received some bubble bath for Christmas too… a good way to relax at the end of the day 🙂
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I love, love, love baths… but I have not taken one in quite some time! But lately, I have at least been trying to go back to meditating like I used to – it makes such a difference in my mind and mood.
One word: Sauna 🙂
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