Soaking in a bath has been a cultural practice worldwide 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?
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.
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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.
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.
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Ginger is a potent natural anti-inflammatory. This rhizome also has a natural heating effect, which allows your body to release toxins through your sweat. As your bath is filling up, add about three tablespoons of fresh, peeled, grated ginger. You can also add Epsom salts to this bath for extra oomph.
To fight fatigue while regulating your metabolism and endocrine system, add some peppermint essential oil to your ginger bath. This will also help you to feel fresh, clean and energized. Add no more than 20 drops and be careful not to get this oil in your eyes. You could also add some fresh peppermint leaves to your bath for an extra luxury factor.
Ingredients:
2 C. Epsom Salt
1 C. Baking Soda
1/4 C. Bentonite Clay
10-15 Drops of Lavender Oil (to promote relaxation)
Bentonite clay is a highly absorbent natural substance formed by volcanic ash, and it is truly a star of this detox bath for weight loss. Because it is negatively charged, it can absorb and eliminate the positively charged substances (such as heavy metals) from your body, and that’s what makes it a highly potent detoxifier. Clay detox baths have been used for centuries since people noticed how clay promotes overall wellness and detox.
Another ingredient in this detox bath is baking soda, which is very alkalizing to your body and has detoxifying and cleansing properties.
Apple cider vinegar is a great boost to a weight loss program when added to a glass of water and sipped, but it can also be a great addition to a detox bath. Simply add a tablespoon of Epsom salts to your bath, then add about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Doing this may help you to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
A hydrogen peroxide and ginger mixture is great for healing and opening up your sinuses.
Use a cup of peroxide and freshly grated ginger. It will certainly help bring your body into a sweat.
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 ½ cup of Epsom salt, 5 drops of essential oil, and 1 cup of ACV.
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.
Beauty 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.
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