Epsom Salt Baths: Healing Time.

Ah the luxury and nourishment of a hot bath.
Something that busy folks and parents rarely have time for.
 
I hadn't had a bath in a very long time until a blocked duct (breast) sent me running for the epsom salts and the hottest water I could handle. Not only did these baths help heal my boobies, but as a pleasant side effect I noticed that my anxiety levels dropped significantly and I started to fall asleep hard and heavy at night.

I decided to continue bathing on a regular basis, increasing the amount of epsom salts and adding some immune boosting essential oils to the mix. I also discovered that if you cover yourself up with towels and a blanket after the event, you will continue to sweat things out as if in a sauna. After a month or so of regular soaking in epsom salts, I literally feel like a new person.
The deep drawing action of the salts combined with heat, steam and getting to have a lie down = the best kind of meditation that I have ever experienced. The mind is coaxed quiet and some lovely insights have occurred during the sweat out.

Here is a breakdown of these lovely salts and how to bathe yourself into love land:

• Epsom salt is hydrated magnesium sulfate.
• Magnesium and sulfate are often poorly absorbed through the stomach but easily absorbed through the skin. 
• Having sufficient magnesium and sulfate levels provide many health benefits, (here are some as listed on the website of the Epsom Salt Industry Council. See REF.)
• Improved heart and circulatory health
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

Having the best bath experience:

If you are pregnant, nursing, have a heart condition or any other medical condition, PLEASE talk to your doctor first before trying this. 
 

• Start small and work your way up. Use 1/2 to 1 cup of salts and only stay in the bath for 10-12 minutes. You will feel drowsy and tired, almost drunk, and if you stay in too long you will begin to re-absorb the toxins that have been drawn out. 
• You will reach a point where your body tells you "It's time to get out!!" Listen to that signal. 
• Set an alarm on your phone or battery alarm clock just in case. Even when my family are around, I always set an alarm to make sure I get out at the right time. 
• Play around with water temperature. I notice that if the water is not hot enough, I don't get as many benefits. If it is too hot, drain some water out or have a bucket on hand to scoop some out to put on the garden (epsom salts are great for the soil!). 
• Once you are ready, start working your way up to 2-3 cups of salts and staying in a little longer. I currently soak for 16-17 minutes and use really hot water. 
• Make sure you have a bottle of water next to the bath for any pangs of thirst.
• OPTIONAL: Lay some towels and a blanket on your bed or couch. Lie down and cover yourself with towel then blanket and continue to sweat for a further 5-30 minutes. Continue to drink water as you will have sweated a lot. 
• You can rinse under the shower afterwards, but some say to let the mineral rich water soak in.
• Having this bath close to bed will help you have a wonderful sleep.
• These baths are great if you need an immune boost. Great for fighting off and soothing ills and chills.

Enjoying some delicious "me time" will make a world of difference. This does not take long and is totally manageable within the working day - even as a parent. I find that asking for and making the time out is just as beneficial as the bath itself.

Happy soaking!


REF: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/about/

Reviving the good stuff

Hello again.

I have taken a break from this little blog space for nearly a year. I have had an interesting adventure into the land of anxiety and phobias, which landed my ass in the phobic trust's anxiety clinic being treated for post traumatic stress disorder. Trauma that is not dealt with sufficiently will often manifest as OCD, irrational phobias and varying levels of depression. I have always had charming and quirky fears and rituals that were laughed off and brushed aside. The birth of my first child provided a well needed shake up that caused a lot of these to rise to the surface in full glory to take hold of my entire thought structure.

I went from being a joyous being to a ball of mess to having full blown panic attacks and left unable to leave the house a lot of the time. I was terrified to my bones. I was so scared to be in the outside world and to be around other people that I seemed to disappear. As a result I made no effort to make time to spend with friends and suffered a complete loss of social nourishment. I am still trying to recover these relationships! If you are a friend of mine and you are reading this - I apologise from the bottom of my heart for not being in touch. Friendship is the most important thing in the world to me and a life without friends is very lonely indeed.

After a little therapy, a lot of self work and support from my beloved partner and my wildly happy daughter, I am finally through the clouds. I still get the odd day where I find myself falling back into old patterns. The difference now is that I can see it for what it is and have the tools to pull myself out. I am so happy to have found joy again that I am incredibly reluctant to let it go.

I look forward to getting back to sharing the delicious things in life!
Stay tuned for recipes, tea appreciation and all things 'joy'