The Bathroom

One of the best rituals to end a frantic day is a hot bath – although if you’re more of a shower person, the rush and tingle of hot water that offers can be just as good. Even the simple daily ritual of washing our faces each morning and evening, touching our skin, brings us into our bodies and performs an act of self-care.

A THERAPEUTIC RITUAL

Baths have been such a huge part of human health that every continent has its own bathing tradition. In ancient times, herbal baths were used to help the sick, while mineral baths were considered effective for detoxification. Some cultures even believed that bathing offered good luck and protection. Romans built huge complexes with under-floor heating, Scandinavians plunge in cold water after a sauna and the Japanese have developed the art of bathing in a smaller, specially designed ‘soaking bath tub’ that allows you to sit up while being deeply submerged. These are designed primarily to relax a tired body and give you time to collect your thoughts and inspirations. They are designed not for hygiene, but for peaceful meditation and calm: in some cultures, people even give themselves a quick wash before getting into the tub, having a completely clean soak. Even if we only take a deep bath every month, the experience gives our minds some time to slow down.

CONNECTING WITH OURSELVES

Bathing allows us to bring full awareness to our body, checking in with every part of ourselves both physically and mentally. Washing gives us an opportunity to take care of our physical vessels, to clean away any dirt and bacteria along with our troubles and anxieties. Bring awareness to each part of your body as you wash; practise being thankful for the wondrous vehicle that you inhabit, and grateful that you have a calm space to use for just this purpose.

The actions of washing and drying ourselves can be a grounding ritual that offer an opportunity to settle our flighty minds, which might still be racing after a day of constant use.

There is something about washing that cleanses the mind as well as the body. Our muscles have their own knowledge: each time we wash our hands we perform several actions without thinking about them. Observing these rituals allows us to become present in the moment. We roll up our sleeves, put the plug into the sink and fill it up. We reach for the soap and we can look at the sensations we feel, combining water with lather and massaging our hands, adding a little pressure to the parts that may need it. Notice the texture of the towel against your hands; how does it feel? And how good is it once our hands are clean?

A PEACEFUL SPACE

A mindful bathroom can be created with nature in mind, using greenery to incorporate the outdoors within your four walls, as well as oxygenating the air. A good bathroom is efficient, of course, but it can also be set up for enjoyment, a meditative space for rest and rejuvenation. For those wondering how best to create a verdant space, air plants, bamboo and succulents are commonly used in bathrooms to withstand the steam from hot showers and water. Work with the nature of the plants, and they’ll reward you.

Half an hour in a bath with some peace and quiet allows us to slow down to an absolute stop, allowing ourselves to have space to think, to not think, or simply be present with our calming surroundings. Parents can relish the solitude of the bathroom once children are asleep, the soothing noises calming the senses after a hectic day. It’s like pushing the reset button, whether you have a shower to wake up or a bath to relax and create calm. We emerge as a new and fresher version of ourselves.