Get self-care bath routine tips that will help you create the perfect self-care bathing routine for you! Learn 7 steps to create the perfect bath, get product recommendations and get ideas for activities you can do in the bath.

As a kid, I always loved bath time, but when I got older, the concept became less appealing to me. It felt like too much work for too little payoff.

It wasn’t until I visited Japan that I learned to value the benefits of a good bath. 

Though baths are items that people have in their homes in Japan, there are also public baths called onsens.

They are basically big hot tubs that are attached to hot springs and have extra minerals in the water.

Many people who live there will pay a small price to use these baths daily or weekly. Many will visit at the end of a long workday to relax and unwind before going home. 

For the three weeks that I was in Japan, I used an onsen pretty much every day.

It was such a special treat at the end of the day and it turned my more boring hygiene routine into a truly blissful self-care experience every night. 

I wish that Canada had a place like that.

But since it doesn’t, I try to mimic the onsen experience at home by aiming to follow the routine I observed while in Japan.

It is simple and relaxing and will clean and refresh you with the simplest of materials.

Are baths not your thing? Check out how to have a restorative shower routine, instead!

7 Amazing Self-Care Bath Routine Tips to Help you Unwind

1. Choose your time wisely

The first thing you will need to be aware of when having a bath is what time is best.

Many people think that having a bath right before bed is the best time.

However, the ideal time to take a bath is actually 1-2 hours before going to bed.

Additionally, your bath doesn’t need to be any longer than 10 minutes for you to reap the benefits of it. If time constraints are a problem for you, then this is good news! 

Related Post: Get more tips on how to sleep better at night

2. Add ambiance to make it more relaxing

In Japan, there actually wasn’t a lot done to the decor to make the onsen feel more relaxing. The steam from the tub and the sound of running water was quite relaxing on their own.

Here are some nice ways you can add a little ambiance to your self-care bath routine:

• Place fairy lights in your bathroom and dim the lights
• Light a candle
• Use an essential oil diffuser with your favourite calming scent
• Light incense
• Turn on some calm music or background nature sounds
• Bring in some greenery to fill the space
• Use a bath bomb

3. Have a tray or stool with items you will want to use

One of the most stressful things about baths is that, if you want something in the middle of bathing, you have to get out and get it.

Everything gets wet around you and you just end up annoyed.

To make sure that this doesn’t happen, it helps to get all of that stuff gathered before your bath.

Additionally, make sure it is easy to reach from the tub.

I personally like to use a bath tray to make this easier. You can get simple bath trays on Amazon:

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Take a look at this list of bath essentials that you should have within reach to give yourself a better self-care bath routine:

Bath Item #1: A Drink

One luxury bath essential I always like to have with me is a drink.

The more decorated you can make it, the better it is!

If water is all you want, then put it in a nice glass that feels fancy to drink from. If you want to feel cozy, then a warm beverage is a good idea.

Or if you want the typical spa-like feeling of bathtime, then a glass of wine is nice. 

Having a drink available while you are bathing will make you feel even more nourished than if you were just sitting there without anything.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about getting thirsty while you’re there. 

Bath Item #2: A sweet treat

I only just recently started bringing a snack with me to the tub, but it has been a serious game-changer!

I’ve noticed that I stay in the bath longer when I have something to snack on while I’m there.

I would recommend getting something sweet that is good for your body, like fruit or a piece of dark chocolate.

This will make your bath feel so decadent! 

Bath Item #3: Candles

Candles are great luxury bath essentials that will make you feel so pampered and relaxed by the end of your soak.

They add a pleasant light to the room and make everything smell so nice.

It can even be nice to watch the flames on the candle as you’re bathing. 

One candle is enough to make the atmosphere instantly more luxurious but if you want to add more, that’s fine, too! Whatever makes you feel relaxed and a little spoiled is ideal. 

I personally love Bath and Body Candles. They last longer than any other candle because of their three-wick design and they smell great!

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Bath Item #4:  A Face Mask

Using a face mask while soaking in the tub is going to make you feel like you’re at a spa, and the best part is that you don’t need to fork over your entire life’s savings for one.

There are a lot of inexpensive options and DIY mask recipes out there that will all make you feel equally pampered.

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Bath Item #5: Bath bombs or bubbles

This is probably the most obvious of the 7 bath items and for good reason! There is just something so satisfying about watching bath bombs fizzle out in a pool of water or watching bubbles rise higher and higher as water spills into the tub. 

Next time you’re out shopping, take some time to admire the many styles of bath bombs and bubbles available.

Don’t just grab the first bath bomb you see- make it a special experience that gets you excited for your next bath time. 

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Bath Item #6: A Dry Cloth

I know this one sounds super basic and not at all luxurious, but trust me, you’ll appreciate having a small, dry cloth rolled up and within reach.

If you choose to do any activities while in the bath, you will struggle a lot to keep everything dry.

If you have a cloth readily available, you can dry off your hands whenever you need to without a hassle.

It’s something small, but it makes a big difference in making your bath time feel much more luxurious. 

Bath Item #7: Plants

If you’ve ever been to a spa, you’ll know that plants are super important for making a space feel relaxing and luxurious. Real ones, fake ones, big ones, colourful ones…anything goes!

For me, I just grab a little cactus plant from my kitchen and have it beside me while I’m bathing. That little plant alone brings so much joy to my time in the bath. 

If you’ve got plants around your house, then this is a great option for you!

Just take them with you to the bathroom and return them to their homes when you are finished soaking.

It’s simple, affordable, and makes a big difference! 

I also like to have some fake plants hanging on the shower walls because they don’t need sunlight but add a little greenery to the space.

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4. Rinse off before your bath

This step is something that I’ve found makes the biggest difference in my own self-care bath routine.

When you do a quick rinse before taking a bath, you don’t have to worry about any pieces of dirt or grime floating around in your bathwater.

In the traditional onsen routine, you would sit on a stool and rinse off your body at a shower station.

This station doesn’t look like a typical shower. The showerhead is situated close to the ground.

Instead of standing under constant running water, you would only turn on the tap long enough to rinse. Then, with the water off, you would apply soap. Finally, you would turn the water on for another few seconds to rinse all the soap off.

You could then enter the onsen completely clean. 

5. Add something to your water for added benefits

One of the biggest advantages of a bath is that you can add other ingredients to the water to give your skin other benefits.

A Japanese onsen typically has up to 19 different minerals that absorb into the skin to improve circulation and oxygen flow, among many other health benefits. 

I don’t know where I would even begin to find minerals to add to my bathwater, but I do like to add ingredients to the water that have some sort of health benefit for my skin. 

I’ve listed a few for you that I like to use regularly: 

Olive Oil

Just adding a splash of oil to your bath will reap amazing benefits for your skin. You’ll leave your bath feeling like you already applied moisturizer. It will make your skin so soft! 

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Baking Soda

I usually add this in addition to the olive oil. Baking soda is a natural exfoliant, so it will softly exfoliate your body and all you have to do is sit back and relax! 

Epsom Salt

This magical addition will help to replenish your magnesium levels, which will in turn help to lower your stress levels. 

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Essential Oils

Though lavender is the ideal essential oil to add to a bath, you can really use any essential oil. Each one has a different purpose and benefit, so play around with it! Lavender, in particular, will help you have a more relaxing bath routine. 

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Related Post: 11 Summer Skincare Tips for Healthy, Beautiful Skin!

6. Have activities to do in the bath

In a Japanese onsen, the activities were few. You would either come alone and do some small stretches while in the tub or you would come with friends and have a quiet conversation while seated in the tub. 

Though it probably isn’t likely you will be inviting a friend to your tub (or that they would accept that invitation), you can definitely do some enjoyable activities while bathing.

Here are some ideas:

Bath Activity #1: Watch a show or a movie

I know that this suggestion might rub some people the wrong way.

I mean, a bath is often seen as this place where the technology is set aside. Baths are known to be places where you are supposed to sit with a candle and a meditative playlist, not veg out with a television show.

But that’s just one opinion of what bathing should be. 

Personally, I think that baths should be something that you enjoy because it is both entertaining and restful.

If watching a show or a movie is going to help you enjoy the time more, then go for it!

As long as it is leaving you feeling rested and positive instead of stressed, then there is no reason that you shouldn’t enjoy some visual entertainment while in the bath. 

Just be careful not to be dropping electronics in the water!

Bath Activity #2: Listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks

This self-care bath time idea is similar to watching television but with a little less of a hassle.

It’s easier to manage since all you have to do is turn on the audio and leave it running.

Additionally, you don’t have to keep your eye on the screen the whole time, which might feel less stressful.

Pick an album to listen to or a show or audiobook that you’ve been meaning to listen to.

It is a great option if you want to be able to rest your eyes while still having something to entertain you in the background. There is lots of amazing content out there, so take your pick!  

Bath Activity #3: Read or Write

Reading is a surprisingly easy activity and is probably one of the more popular things to do in the bath.

The only risk is that you might end up with some water splashes on your book.

If you’re worried about that, I’d recommend that you invest in an e-reader. Most e-readers can even get submerged in water without breaking! 

Writing is a slightly harder task to manage in the bath, but if you have a wooden board that you can rest on the tub to serve as a desk, then it is much easier. If you have a way to write, then you can journal or draw to pass the time while bathing. 

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Bath Activity #4: Self Massage 

This simple bath activity is a great one that will do more than just keep you busy.

In addition to that, you are also helping your body heal. While you’re soaking in the tub, do a body scan and notice if there are any sore spots on your body.

When you find a spot that feels sore or tight, spend a little time massaging that area while you’re sitting there.

You’ll leave your self-care bath feeling much more rested because of it! 

Bath Activity #5: Do a mask

This is one of my favourite times to try out masks. They are so fun and relaxing!

This is also a great thing to do in the bath, as it requires a bit of waiting time once you put it on your face.

If you want to go the extra mile, you could do a series of body care activities, like putting on a face mask and a hair mask at the same time or even resting some cucumbers on your eyes.

Whatever feels good to you is fine! 

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7. Air-dry and moisturize afterwards

To seal in the benefits of your self-care bath routine, let yourself air-dry afterwards and maybe even put on some moisturizer while your skin is still wet.

This helps to retain as much moisture as possible, which is especially nice in dry winter months.

Just sit in a bathrobe and enjoy a minute more of quiet before moving on with your night routine. 

Related: Find out how you can use coconut oil as a moisturizer and much more!

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<<< If you are someone who just doesn’t get the hype of taking a bath, these bath routine tips might be just what you need to change your mind! Try these tips to create the perfect bath and have a more relaxing bath routine that will leave you feeling happy and rejuvenated. >>>