Today’s first is something I’ve been wanting to try for months, but the opportunity just hadn’t shown up yet. Tonight, after a busy day, it seemed the perfect time. My first was to experience Dr. Mark Hyman’s Ultra Detox Bath.
This relaxing bath is part of Dr. Hyman’s daily practices during the 10 Day Detox Diet. During my 10 days, I followed the other practices but didn’t get to do this one. Here is the recipe:
Fill a tub with hot water
Add 2 cups Epsom salts, ½ cup baking soda, and 10 – 20 drops of lavender oil.
Light candles, play soothing music, dim the lights
Add one stressed human
Soak for 20 – 30 minutes
The Ultra Detox Bath combines Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), baking soda (alkalinizing), and lavender oil (cortisol and stress reducing aromatherapy). This delicious ritual creates profound relaxation and detoxification. Soaking in the steaming water gives one the triple benefit of mind and muscle relaxation and whole body detoxification.
One of the reasons I’ve not done this yet is that I don’t have a bathtub. I have a large, step in shower, which is great for getting ready in the mornings. My daughter, Adriel, lives a block away from me. I can see the back of her house from the front of mine. I haven’t wanted to intrude or be there using her bathtub when she or Kelly are home. But tonight, I knew no one would be home, and Adriel not only offered the use of a tub, she graciously offered the use of her deep soaking tub in the master bathroom.
I have to say, I was excited! I gathered up the necessary ingredients, except I lacked Epsom salts, and bagged up several white candles. I just needed to pick up Epsom salts. A quick stop at Walgreens and I was ready to detox in the bathtub! Arriving at the house, I found Adriel had left the tv in the master bedroom tuned in to a music channel. I lit candles and started the hot water pouring into the deep tub. I added the baking soda and the Epsom salts. I paused, inhaling deeply. Was Epsom salts supposed to smell so good?
Checking the label, I discovered I’d purchased Epsom salts with Eucalyptus. Since I don’t believe anything happens by mistake, I considered this a happy occurrence. Adding 20 drops of lavender oil made the bath water and indeed, the whole room, smell wonderful. Sinking into that tub of fragrant, hot water was bliss. Eyes closed as I sank back, I took several slow, deep breaths and allowed my muscles to relax, and my mind to clear of chatter.
The next 30 minutes were wonderful. I sipped cold water. I listened to music. I meditated. And finally, I just allowed myself to be. I was Cindy, soaking quietly in a tub of hot water, happy to be. Nothing more was needed in that moment. At the end of my bath I was deeply relaxed, content, and I trust, detoxed!
I appreciate Adriel allowing me to use her home and tub tonight. I might want to offer her a monthly fee in exchange for use of that marvelous tub. And it just might be possible that in the future I could be seen padding across the street and vacant lot that separates our houses, hair up, wearing a bathrobe and flipflops, on my way to soak!
