By Naomi Mackenzie

Soaking in a bath has been a cultural practice all over the world for centuries. It has proven to provide benefits of improving mood, aiding skin conditions, reducing stress, clearing up cold symptoms and relieving muscle pain. What if you found out that bathing could actually help you stay on track with your weekly workout goals?

How does a healing bath burn calories?

As if I need any other excuses not to go take this run I have been putting off all week long! According to research done at Loughborough University, a warm bath can burn calories the same way you would by doing a decent cardio exercise.

This happens through what they refer to as passive heating of the body.

The study investigated 14 people taking an hour long soak in a warm 104 degree bath. The same people were also observed taking an hour long bike ride. Each activity included monitoring the number of calories burned.

The results were surprising. Though the bike ride burned more calories, the bath burned enough calories to compare to a brisk 30 minute walk.

Dr. Faulkner, one of the lead researchers, also found that baths may improve your health as it relates to type 2 diabetes prevention.

He states, “The overall blood sugar response to both exercises was similar, but peak blood sugar after eating was about 10 percent lower when participants took a hot bath compared with when they exercised.”

He also found that the anti-inflammatory benefits of exercise often help fight off disease in the body. The passive heating from the bath proved to yield similar results as well.

Healing bath recipes

So I guess you can take off that tracksuit and sweat it out in a tub instead! But, before you go just filling up your tub with plain old water, why not add some more benefits to your soak.

Detox baths are great for stress relief, muscle healing, and cold prevention. Try any of these quick recipes to take your bath to the next level.

Cold and Sinus

A hydrogen peroxide and ginger mixture is great for healing and opening up your sinuses.

Simply use a cup of peroxide and freshly grated ginger. It will certainly help bring your body into a sweat.

Skin and Vaginal Infections

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed with a few drops of your favorite essential oil will help to draw out toxins in the skin.

Just take a ½ cup of Epsom salt, 5 drops of essential oil, and 1 cup of ACV.

Muscle Relaxer

Baking soda and mustard together help to balance pH levels in the body, draw out toxins and works as an anti-inflammatory to treat your sore, aching muscles.

Just use 1 cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of mustard bath mix, and 5 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Naomi MacKenzieBeauty and Hair maven Naomi Mackenzie is a freelance writer and business consultant. Her passion is to continuously keep up with the ever-evolving techniques and topics as it relates to skin and hair, while helping others to embrace their own definition of beauty in a healthy way. Her blog, KissTheChaos shares both an educated and personal perspective, sought to spark ongoing discussion. Follow her on Instagram at @oOolala_laa and on Facebook.

September 21, 2021 by Naomi Mackenzie