Frontiers Magazine Feature: Go Soak Yourself

WITH THE NON-STOP LIVES MANY OF US lead, slipping into a warm bubble bath can be one of the most soothing and rejuvenating delights after a stressful week. As a British poet and physiologist Thomas Lovell Beddoes eloquently wrote, “We have bathed, where none have seen us, in the lake and in the fountain, underneath the charmed statue, of the timid, bending Venus.” Indeed, historically, bathing has had a long evolution: from public bathing in rivers, to social and communal bathing in the baths of Greece and Rome, to a mostly private respite at home.

   
    The typical Roman bath was a large gathering place where one could not only bathe, but also exercise, socialize, and even shop. These baths would have a warm area for bathing, called the calidarium— with water heated by subterranean streams. Most often, there was also a frigidarium—a large chilled swimming pool area; A sudatorium, which is similar to our modern day sauna bath; and a caldarium, akin to our concept of a steam room.
 
    Similarly, the Greeks not only bathed, but also socialized, exercised and discussed philosophy in large baths/gymnasiums. Hippocrates and his contemporaries believed that diet and exercise could aid the natural healing powers of the body. A study by the Mayo Clinic appears to confirm Hippocrates—the study found that soaking in a hot bath gives many of the health benefits of exercise with less strain on the heart. Bathing gently increases the heart rate, while simultaneously lowering blood pressure.

    Evidence of the first personal-sized bath tub was found on the Isle of Crete, where a five feet long pedestal tub was unearthed, built from hardened pottery. This tub is most likely an inspiration for the classic 19th century clawfoot tub. Today, most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel over steel, cast iron, or other materials. If you are planning to update your tub, the company Kohler (www.us.kohler.com) carries many fine, classic designs like the standard clawfoot—as well as many modern tubs, fixtures, and accessories.

   A bath can help you unwind, relieving tension and easing sore muscles. Bathing at night can also help you sleep better. According to the National Sleep Foundation, immersing yourself in hot water for at least 15 minutes before bedtime will raise your body temperature and increase your ability to fall asleep faster. Adding your favorite bubbles, salts, or oils will enhance the experience and make your soak seem more luxurious. And, if your tub is large enough to accommodate two, a long hot bath can also be one of the most romantic things to share with the one you love.

BATH EXTRAVAGANCES
Here are some of our new favorite bath accessories to make your
respite even more relaxing and satisfying.

Salts: Ole Henriksen’s Muscle Comfort Soak relieves those fluseason aches and fatigue with sea salt and eucaplyptus (See www.olehenriksen.com). The downtown Los Angeles Bath Petals factory carries all organic, cruelty-free bath products. Among many other lavish items, they have bath salts made from natural Pacific sea salt, essential oils, natural colors, and petals or leaves, depending on the scent (See www.bathpetals.com or phone (888) BATH-PET).

Soaps: For a wide variety of organic soaps from all over the world, as well as massage oils and candles, it’s worth a trip to Organica Bath & Body (Call 323/852-4960 or stop in to their shop at 313 North Edinburgh Ave, off Fairfax). Save Your Skin rainforest soap is handcrafted and pampers skin, while donating proceeds to a 200,000 acre reserve in South America (See www.saveyourworld.com). And the
Napa Soap Company’s Mandarin Chardonnay Liquid Soap makes washing any of your body parts a fragrant experience. We’re big fans of their entire product line, which includes lotions and delicious handmade soaps (See www.napasoap.com). If you’ve been wanting to try organic hemp bath products, Hempstead in Laguna Beach caries a great deal of wholesale hemp lotions, washes, oils, as well as hemp shampoo, and hemp conditioner (Call 800/284-4367 or
see www.store.hempsteads.com).

Scrubs: For an invigorating treat, try The Ultimate Man Body
Scrub Soap, or for more moisturizing exfoliation, try Crème de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish, both by company Kiehls (See www.kiehls.com, phone 323/965-0569 or visit their L.A .store at The Grove). Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Body Peel exfoliates with fruit acids, and smells like a moonlit apple orchard (See www.juicbeauty.com). Thom Fleming Lemon Souffle body scrub smells like a lemondrop in a bottle, and makes your skin fresh and soft (See www.thomflemingskincare.com). Finally, for a spa-inspired bath, try Avance Seaweed Spa Bath, which hydrates and detoxifies your skin, making it silky soft (See www.avanceskincare.com). Bubbles: Jason Natural Cosmetics offers a terrific supply of bubble baths, washes, and other products. The Chamomile Satin Shower is sumptuous, and contains relaxing herbs of chamomile and comfrey, along with rich natural oils of sunflower, avocado and vitamin E (See www.jasoncosmetics.com).