How to Ground and Refresh With a Bath-Time Ritual

A warm evening bath is the ultimate self-care ritual. It's perfect for when you need to replenish. Including essential oils in your bath can refresh your routine, awaken your senses, and help lessen any physical and mental stress you may experience throughout the year.

Try this loving bath-time ritual on your own and receive a dose of self-love you likely need and definitely deserve.

Step 1 — Set the Scene

Be creative and exploratory setting up your bath or shower. Gather fresh wildflowers or use several sprigs of fresh or dried eucalyptus; tie together with simple string; spritz generously with a blend of 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon witch hazel, and 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil; hang on your shower head or place in vase on bathtub edge. The steam from your shower will release the scent. (Breathe deeply and enjoy!)

Bring in many of your potted plants—they too will appreciate the humidity! Pull out the fresh fluffy towels, arrange and light your favorite candles. Turn on soft, soothing music, and then dim the lights.

Using an essential oil diffuser, diffuse a few drops of peppermint with rosemary and fill your bathroom with aromas that will open your nasal passages and gently stimulate and clarify your mind.

Step 2 — Soften Up and Surrender

An easy all-natural mask can do wonders to transform your tired tresses. First, finger comb 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, mixed with 2 drops of your favorite essential oil, through your hair while focusing on the ends. Secure hair into a loose bun and cover with a shower cap or towel for 10+ minutes.

Now, gently exfoliate the skin and move immune-boosting lymph fluid by carefully and intentionally dry brushing the skin. Start at your feet and work up your legs, take circles around the joint, and move in a clockwise direction around your belly to stimulate digestion. Brush up the arms and the sides of the body where the lymph nodes pool under the arms, don’t forget your bottom. It too needs stimulation! If you have very dry skin, you may prefer an oil self-massage using a base oil of sesame, almond, or coconut.

After the bath water is nice and warm, step in slowly and allow your body to acclimate. Breathe deep …

Relax with 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation, enjoying the scene in its entirety by guiding your awareness through the different sensations you feel in each part of your body. Start at the top of your head and progress to your toes, doing each arm and leg separately. Be conscious to relax the jaw, fingers, and toes periodically throughout your bath.

Stay as long as you like in the tub. If you start to feel restless, remind yourself that simply being is enough. Take a few slow breaths. Enjoy the natural therapy from the aromas around you.

Step 3 — Wrap Yourself in Warmth

After exiting the tub, gently blot your skin with a towel and, using a palm-full of your favorite base oil, gently massage all parts of your body with long, intentional strokes on the long bones, and small circular motions over your ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.

Slip into your favorite pair of silk pajamas or cozy pants and then massage the soles of your feet with lavender essential oil—a couple of drops will ground and pamper toes. Wrap your feet in supportive compression socks or snuggly slippers.

Step 4 — Set Your Intentions

Take a final journey inward as you settle in for 30 minutes of meditation and journaling or a simple vision boarding session to conceptualize your intentions.

Close your evening with 10 long, grounding breaths as you offer thanks for your body, your home, and the bountiful blessings in your life.

Commit to this ritual whenever you need ample doses of the love that you so generously give others.