I am a huge fan of the long, hot bath. If I were pressed, I might even say that there is nothing water can’t make better–whether it’s soaking in the bath after a stressful day, or letting your muscles melt in the tub after painting the hallway, or standing in a steamy shower when you’ve got a nasty cold–I believe, in my totally un-medically-trained opinion, that water is a cure-all.
When my children were little, I used soaking in a bath as a way to calm a grumpy, anxious child, or to help wind down after a hard day. No matter how miserable the soccer or basketball game was, a nice hot bath seemed to put a shiny new spin on the world. Taking a bath or shower provided a perfect transition or limbo stage for going from one thing to another–and not just from being awake to bedtime, either.
What is it about that warm water that soothes, calms and heals? Even in the hottest days of summer, soaking in a cool or tepid bath never fails to improve the disposition and make a person feel better. To this day, when my kids are feeling as though they are getting sick, they’ll head to the tub. Or, if a person in our house gets a cold and stuffy nose, they know that standing in a steamy, hot shower for as long as possible (until the hot water runs out) will provide at least some temporary relief. Of course, taking a hot shower when one can’t sleep is another handy trick.
When I’ve been through a particularly harrowing day, or even had an unpleasant phone conversation or “run-in” with someone who contributes to my feeling icky–nothing works like taking a long shower and scrubbing away all that negative energy and bad communication ick–I step out feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The next time someone in your household is having a fit or feeling out-of-sorts, why not try soaking in a bath–a little rest and relaxation surrounded by great-smelling bubbles, some soft washcloths (or puppets) and a toy or two, may be just what the doctor ordered to get a fresh lease on life and find some calm and cure.