Lying on a bath tub soaked in pool of hot water can be so relaxing and self soothing, to some people this is just a luxury. It can help relief stress, refresh your muscle, induce sleep and clear off nasal congestion. After a long stressful day from our daily activities, a hot bath becomes our next crave and somewhere to find solace. During the winter or cold seasons, having a hot bath is just a bonus.

Although tub time may put us in a state of great comfort and elegance, but it can also wreak a whole lot of havoc on our skin and body in general. It can react with the oil glands in the skin making it go dry and can also affect the body tissues (collagen and elastin), making them loose elasticity and resilience -resulting in wrinkles.

If you must enjoy the full glory of bathing hot water without any negative effect, you must make sure you follow some bath rules which are as follows.

Avoid too hot water

. Your skin mustn't peel off your bones before you realize that your bath water is too hot. Make sure the temperature is cool enough, perhaps, lukewarm -before having your bath with it. This is the best way to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from drying up, itching or even rashes.

Don't spend too much time bathing

.  It can be so soothing and relaxing having a hot bath that you failed to realize you are not in your bedroom. Spending more time in it can make your skin appear wrinkled like a prune. Less time in the tub not only benefits your skin, but also you’ll decrease the amount of water wasted, too.

Avoid Harsh Soaps

.    Soaps that are too harsh or low in moisture can dry up your skin even without bathing a hot water. They contain chemicals that can react with the skin oil layers. You can choose from soaps that have good moisture content as an option. They are good alternatives.  

Cream up your body with moisturized creams

.    After bath, pat yourself dry, and apply an unscented lotion, cream, or oil to your skin. Be sure that your skin is not completely dry before you cream up. It should at least be damp and moist before you apply cream. This can help lock in or retain moisture.

Health Benefits of having a hot bath

Hot baths are so refreshing and soothing to your skin. Not only that but can also have the following benefits;

. It Can Elevate Your Mood

This is a good way of ditching out negative energies flowing in your vessels. Having a hot bath can relief stress and depression, and can elevate your mood. To most people this is a good way of giving out negatrons in order to stay cool and positive.

According to psychologist Neil Morris, who surveyed 80 people in his study, bathing can diminish feelings of depression and pessimism because "Baths give you...a wonderful combination of isolation, quiet, and comfort." The feelings of closeness we receive from being submerged in warm liquid "gives us connotations of being in the womb, and it is very comforting," Dr. John Harcup, chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee for the British Spa Foundation, suggests. In a nutshell, bathing induces feelings of comfort and easiness, and subsequently cause your body, to relax.

. They Can Help You Sleep Better

It is true that an adult need at least eight hour of sleep daily for the body to rejuvenate and work optimally but to some people this is just a farfetched dream. According to some studies, bathing warm water before bed time can help improve sleep patterns. And has been one of the regimen for coping with insomnia.

Studies have shown that at night our body temperatures naturally drop, which signals the production of melatonin - the hormone that controls our sleep. Soaking in a warm bath will raise your body temperature, and cause a rapid decline thereafter, thus, instigating the production of melatonin, and better preparing you for a sound sleep.

. A Hot Bath Can Help Relieve Muscle Pain

Thinking of a better way to recuperation after a strenuous exercise? consider a hot bath as an option. Exercise can strain our muscles and injure them within. Having a hot bath can help them recover. Our muscles from Heat will get blood flowing, which is not only great for circulation but also help sore or tight muscles to relax.

. It can help Burn Calories

Doesn't this seem like a good way of loosing weight?  Sure it does, at least to some extent!. A good sweat induced by a hot bath can burn as many calories as taking a walk. Not only bathing but also drinking hot water can also do this as well. Study have shown that drinking ordinary water or warm water can boost metabolism and suppress appetite.

. Hot baths Can Relieve Cold And Flu Symptoms

Bathing hot water is a good way of fighting cold and flue symptoms. It can reduce nasal congestion. Congestion is caused by inflammation in your nasal passages, and steam can gets the blood vessels in your face and nose moving, thus, loosening any mucus blockage.

. It Can Soothe Irritated Skin

A warm bath—in combination with essential oils, like coconut oil, olive oil, lavender oil, can better hydrate and heal dry or irritated skin. Not only that, but also, essential oils are good for improving our moods and reducing stress.