How often have you said, “I wish I could get some R and R?”
Life is so busy and technology has made it even more so. Texts, emails, tweets, instagrams, phone calls, etc. are all competing for your time and focus. When I was working full time, raising children and caring for older parents, I remember getting books on strategis for simplifying your life. The only problem was I never had a time to read them. However, when I did have a chance, I took a bubble bath to relax and soothe the body and soul. Years later, I was reading Michael J Fox’s book, Lucky Man, and learned that he found comfort for his Parkinson’s symptoms when he took long hot baths. I understood the connection immediately.
Baths are relaxing. Even the sound of the water filling the tub has an innate quality of tranquility. I incorporate baths as part of my treatment for Parkinson’s. Yet you do not have to have a movement disorder to derive the therapeutic benefits of bathing. Pamper yourself with bath products that enhance the experience, such as lavender soap, candles and soft, fluffy towels. Give yourself at least 20 minutes, preferably before you go to bed. And most importantly, rethink the way you view bathing from just cleansing to a form of relaxing. A daily gift to yourself.
