An invitation to take a bath, claim some time for yourself, and leave the laundry exactly where it is.
Who doesn’t love a nice, warm bath? To my surprise, quite a few people.
I mean, I get it. The shower is efficient. Step in. Lather. Rinse. Step out. There’s a job to do, and the shower gets it done. A very respectable transaction.
But the bath. That one takes a little patience. You have to wait for the water. Depending on your tub size, that could be quite a while. You might have to put your phone down and be present with your own thoughts. Terrifying. This will certainly take longer than a shower and require you to slow down long enough to actually sit in it and well, just be.
But as we often suggest at ZenStream, it really is a great idea to make space for yourself.
When did we outgrow the rubber ducky?
Think about a child’s bath time. They play. They splash. They give a plastic dinosaur an elaborate backstory. Getting clean is a lesser priority than bubbles and sea monsters.
If you’ve witnessed a child enjoying bath time, you have witnessed the epitome of a relaxed, happy individual.
We understand that they need time to unwind, so as parents, we make sure they get that time.
Yet as grown adults, we deny ourselves that same time and turn washing ourselves into another chore for the day. The rubber ducky has officially been replaced by a to-do list. Sad.
But put us on vacation near a hot tub, and suddenly sitting in warm water seems like an excellent use of our time.
Yes, we’re willing to soak. We just like someone to add jets and call it an amenity. Now it’s a party.
Here’s my little campaign to resurrect the bath time ritual.
A little science for our bath campaign
We wouldn’t make a case for taking a bath without bringing a few facts to the tub.
1. It may help you ease into sleep.
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found that a warm bath or shower about one to two hours before bedtime could help people fall asleep faster and improve some measures of sleep quality. Warming the body can help it release heat afterward, supporting the cooling process that accompanies sleep. And yes, the shower gets a point here, too. Fair is fair. [1]
2. It may help take the edge off a demanding day.
In a small 2018 study, researchers enrolled 38 adults to compare two-week periods of daily warm baths and showers. The 33 who completed the study reported less stress and fatigue during the bathing periods. [2]
3. Your body may appreciate it, too.
Participants in that same study also reported less pain during the bathing periods. This was a small study based on people’s own ratings, so the finding deserves some modesty. A warm soak may offer a little physical comfort alongside the chance to unwind. [2]
There’s also the simple pleasure of being somewhere you’ve intentionally chosen to be so that you can pause. Listen to the water. Notice the warmth. Bring the nervous system down a few notches. Give your thoughts a little space.
Your bath. Your rules.
And for the record, baths are for every gender. Beards are welcome and if you want to bring a rubber ducky or dinosaur, we love that for you. Your bath. Your rules.
If you have access to a tub, here is your invitation. Put on music. Bring a book. Add your favorite bath salts and enjoy the aroma or keep it simple and just listen to the water.
We’ve been having a little fun with bath time ourselves, blending mineral salts and aromatics into our Aromatic Bath Rituals. Tucked into cute little tubes, they’re a ready-made excuse to draw the bath. Maybe they will make it to the website one day, but for now, they are found at our markets. Stop by, have a sniff, and choose your soak.
One small favor for your skin: choose comfortably warm water. If you’re prone to dryness, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping baths and showers to five to ten minutes and applying moisturizer while skin is still damp. You can make space for yourself without staying until you resemble a raisin. [3]
Once you’re out, give your skin a little love. Gently pat away excess water, then smooth on our Bodhi Body Butter or Bodhi Body Oil while your skin is still slightly damp. Choose butter for a rich finish or oil for a silky glide, and take your time working it in. The space is yours, folks. Enjoy this part.
Let the bath be as ordinary or as lovely as you want it to be.
You don’t have to wait for a vacation, a special occasion, or the mythical evening when everything is finally done.
You can make a little room for yourself while the laundry remains unfolded.
Then, when you pull the plug, watch the water go. Imagine sending a little of the day’s weight along with it. Let that be your cue to leave a few things alone until tomorrow.
The Space Is Yours.
Sources
- Haghayegh S, et al. (2019). Before-bedtime passive body heating by warm shower or bath to improve sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews.
- Goto Y, et al. (2018). Physical and Mental Effects of Bathing: A Randomized Intervention Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin. Updated January 2, 2026.
