Why a daily bath helps beat depression – and how to have a good one

I am fortunate enough to have a warm swimming pool to get in every day. It’s so relaxing and refreshing.

I read this study and it's a bit confusing. The study seemed to see benefits from people who went to some sort of spa/sauna bath, I'm not sure the results would stick if you just took a regular bath

Interesting that the bath subjects saw better results than the exercise subjects. I've long felt that exercise is probably not going to work for cases of severe depression.

Most bathtubs are too short for me to enjoy.

R1 I am so jealous! I've always wanted to have something like that. It would really help me de stress.

I wish I could take a bath every day, especially now that it's cold outside. But this would be so fucking expensive! So showers will have to do, I guess.

I swim in my bathtub.

Golden showers do the trick for me!

Many of the people in the "exercise" group dropped out of the study, so they can't be used as a reliable comparison group. They self-selected out.

It probably works by improving sleep quality, like exercise would. Maybe it alleviates some anxiety and epsom salts in baths relieve tension in muscles...which should also help sleep and / or anxiety.

30% of dataloungers are too fat for the tub.

R10 Data loungers are big! It's the tubs that got small.

I moved to a place with a ridiculously huge whirlpool, separate from the shower. I am still waiting for someone to get in it with me. I've only been in it a few times. They're kind of high maintenance because all kinds of shit grows in the pipes that create the bubbles. The thing is so big, it takes 10 min to fill.

[quote] Maybe it alleviates some anxiety and epsom salts in baths relieve tension in muscles...which should also help sleep and/or anxiety.

This is the appeal of hot baths for me, a person prone to bottling stress and depressive fugues. Sometimes after a long hot soak with oils and maybe some, ahem, "tension relief" I find certain muscles unravelling knots that I didn't even know were there or were hurting me. I find that I carry a lot of anger and fear/worry/panic in my shoulders, middle back, buttocks and the soles of my feet/toes so it helps especially to get these relaxed.

I also find the hot water numbs emotional discomfort, and makes me feel safe somehow in the way that hot water bottles comfort small animals (reminding them of the womb or their mother, it's thought). I like the sweet herbal scents of natural oils I add, and magnesium salts boost my mood.

Finally it's a private space where I have no other stressing pressures or distractions from people IRL or online, which is important for my mindset.I have no idea how Asians do it, bathing with a whole host of other people in a public space; aside from hygiene, don't they find it stressful?

I thought it was cold showers that were good for depression. I know that taking a cold shower in the morning erases whatever mood I wake up with.

R13 are there any brands of bath oils or salts you recommend? I'm thinking of trying baths for stress relief.

Hot baths and/or jacuzzis are supposed to be good for cellulite. Female here and yes I have to worry about this no matter how much I exercise.

I like Epsom Salts in my bath, I add a few drops of lavender oil. Mary!, I know.

It’s relaxing and gives me a bit of quiet time on my own. Morning showers are warm water but I end with a blast of cold, it’s supposed to help your immune system and boost your mood. I usually feel better anyway so I won’t question too much. My hair feels better too with a blast of cold water - any DL trichologists know why?

R15 my oil blend is a neroli, safflower seed, cottonseed, sweet almond, argan, jojoba, shea, olive and coconut oils blend and scented with jasmine/lemon. It's a cheap TJ-Maxx brand that I can't remember the name of anymore (label rubbed off), more for scent and skin smoothness than muscle relaxation. I don't really have the money for expensive brand oils or specialist relaxants, and usually just pick up little Bach-type bottles from my local Wholefoods.

I like Westlab pharmaceutical salts, but tbh nice rock salts from a food store work as well. I have a friend who swears by Himalayan pink salt.

R17 I've heard from a hairdresser friend that cold water "seals " the cuticles and makes them less permeable, IE shiny. While hot water tends to leave them open IE frizzy.

R18 Thanks!

Thanks r19. It works.