Sheesh, I was rockin’ and rollin’ until last week. Holy moly! If you felt like you were completely knocked off your a$$ last week, you were not alone! An Epsom salt bath can really help when you’re feeling this way.
It was the last Super (Full) Moon of 2020 and it was intense! I’ve noticed, as an empath, that I’m highly affected by the moon phases. It’s actually been a really fascinating discovery and proven to be a way for me to discern why I’m feeling off kilter during that time, much like I reference my menstrual cycle for feeling tired or emotional certain times of the month.
Last week’s Super Moon was in the house of Taurus and Scorpio and while many people were feeling the affects, Scorpios and Taurus were affected even more intensely and I can attest to that as a Scorpio.
Feeling exhausted, drained, stressed and in pain
My sleep was poor at the start of the week despite my being consistent with my sleep hygiene, I was extremely sensitive, touchy and emotional and then my physical body started to break down on another level. I could barely turn my neck from my neck and upper back being in so much pain, my entire body was aching, I was extremely drained and exhausted and had a splitting migraine for 2 days.
Now, whether it was the affects of the Super (Full) Moon or an accumulation of internalized stress from 8 weeks of quarantine life that was now begging to be released, I certainly was feeling maxed out physically, mentally and emotionally.
It felt like everything was hitting my body like a ton of bricks. I’ve been saying since, that it felt like demons took over my body for 5 days given how intense, extreme and out of the character it all was.
I decided to take an epsom salt bath since it’s one of the best ways to relax, detox and support your body.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom Salt is a magnesium based salt, versus a sodium based, like your table salt or Himalayan salt. It’s a natural compound known as magnesium sulfate, which is an easy to absorb source of magnesium.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in ensuring our bodies function effectively. Aside from it being necessary for over 300 bodily functions, it plays a critical role in stress management, aids the removal of toxins in our bodies and weight loss, promotes restful sleep, supports energy metabolism, blood sugar balancing, proper nerve functioning, bone building and more.
Sulfate, the other main ingredient, is another essential mineral for many biological processes. It helps flush toxins, cleanses the liver, can strengthen the walls of the digestive tract and assists in the formation of proteins in joints and brain tissue.
Benefits of an Epsom Salt Bath
Research has proven that combination of both ingredients stimulates detoxification.
Our bodies can’t produce magnesium, stress depletes it further and we require a sizable amount of it for our bodies to function properly. It’s becoming more and more challenging in today’s food environment to get the needed amount of magnesium through food sources, resulting in 80% of people today being magnesium deficient.
Using Epsom salt in beauty treatments, such as a bath, is one easy way to improve magnesium levels, while also being a highly supportive, feel good and beneficial experience.
Additionally, given that skin is the body’s largest organ, it provides an amazing ability to absorb, filter toxins and deliver nutrients to the body, making epsom salt baths even more efficient.
Benefits of an Epsom Salt Bath for Health and Relaxation
We all know how relaxing soaking in a bath can be in it of itself, but add Epsom salt and the experience is now extremely healing and even more relaxing.
Here are all of the benefits you’ll get from soaking in Epsom salt in your bath:
- Boosts magnesium
- Reduces stress
- Eliminates toxins
- Reduces muscle pain and swelling
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves circulation
- Support better nutrient absorption
- Relives headaches
- Speeds up wound healing
- Supports healing illnesses, especially respiratory illness
- Heals acne, eczema, psoriasis or other skin problems
- Eases joint pain
- Relieves poison ivy or skin reactions
- Improves skin hydration
- Helps constipation
- Improves exercise performance and recovery
- Improves blood sugar levels
- Helps breathing problems
And yes! You can 100% add it to your kids baths for added relaxation and sleep support for them!
How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath
Pour 2 cups of Epsom salt in to warm running water and soak away for ideally, a minimum of 20 minutes, though 30 minutes is ideal.
If you want to enhance your bath experience even more, add 3-5 drops of your essential oil of choice, I love lavender, but do you! The oils can just make it an even more relaxing and feel good experience.
Light a fragrant smelling candle, put on some soothing music and shut your eyes. Meditate, or even bring a book and read. It’s freaking magical.
*Heads up, don’t use soap in the bath. Just use an Epsom salt bath for a relaxing soak.
Results of taking Epsom Salt Baths
Let me break down the insane results I experienced last week from my Epsom salt bath.
So, as I touched on earlier, last Saturday, I woke up as if I had been beaten up. My neck and back were in excruciating pain, my entire body was aching, I had a terrible migraine, was extremely nauseas (probably from the pain and migraine) , I felt like I couldn’t function or think and had literally no energy. I felt like someone kicked the shit out of me! I’m not exaggerating at all either.
The worst part was that I had a presentation to give for a wellness retreat at 11am and I swear I had no idea how it would be possible.
I spent the morning chugging water, resting, with a lame back massager on that felt like it wasn’t doing much at all. At 9:30am, it occurred to me to take an Epsom salt bath. I kid you not, I hobbled in there in misery, when I sat down to prep for my presentation at 10:45am after the bath, 90% of my pain had gone away, my headache was gone, my body aches were gone, I felt energized and ready to rock! It was truly mind blowing!
I’ve relied on Epsom salt baths for years for stress relief, detoxifying and healing and each time I’ve felt a noticeable difference.
With all of this time home and added stress, I suggest we add Epsom salt baths to Mama’s self care routine.
What’s your favorite way to take a bath? Have you taken an Epsom salt bath before? Let me know in the comments below!
