My first winter with the twins, I was still recovering from pregnancy. The weather was brutally cold, and newborn preemies needed fed often. My husband would do the 3 a.m. feeding and head to bed at 4 a.m. That’s when I woke up and made coffee to get ready for the 6 a.m. feeding.
First, I would draw a hot bath.
I found myself waking at 4:30 every morning to soak in the tub before the household was awake. It was my sacred quiet time. I got to see the sunrise every morning that winter. By the time the babies were up, I was clean, dressed and refreshed. And it was the bath that made all the difference.
In winter, we get cold and have a hard time fully warming our bodies up. Our circulation is poor, partly because we move around less, and partly because our bodies are just so darn cold.
A hot bath helps both problems at once. Hot water warms extremities instantly, boosting circulation.
Even better, a hot bath will help you break a good sweat. Like a sauna, a hot steamy tub can produce a similar humid environment and flush out some of the toxins that your body builds up in winter. Add some sea salt, epsom salt, clay and good essential oil, and your bath can become a delightful spa-like experience.
This mineral salt bath can help with acne, with weight gain, with aching joints, with headaches and so much more. It’s also the surest way to hydrate dry skin. Soak for 20 minutes and your body will absorb up to 8 ounces of water. Trap the moisture with a good beeswax body balm and you’ll enjoy softer skin for days.
The hot soak is a time-honored tradition, beloved by mothers since the beginning of time, I’m sure. Whether you need some therapeutic relief or just quiet time away, there’s always a good excuse for a soothing winter bath.
Wheelerderfer Journal 