It’s 2021! That means we made it through the helluva year that was 2020.  If you’re needing to de-stress in this new year then look no further than your lovely bathtub!  But don’t rush into this… Taking a bubble bath is a splendid and luxurious way of pampering and there are some details that will turn a delicious soak into nirvana for your body.

But first, in honor of National Bubble Bath Day (January 8th every year), let’s take a look at a quick history of bathing.  Like so many things in this world bathing can be traced back to the Romans and Egyptians.  The Romans of course were known for their bathhouses, with whole cities developed around them, as in the case of Bath,UK.  They not only bathed daily but also used the bathhouses to socialize, mingle, and relax.

For the Egyptians, it was important to bathe daily because cleanliness made the gods happy.  Some would bathe up to four times a day and would also use them therapeutically by adding medical ingredients or donkey milk for smoothing skin (Cleopatra was known to love milk in her bath).  While the Romans used oils and sticks to scrape off their daily grime, Egyptians used a soap made from clay and ash.  This soap didn’t foam or bubble, like today’s soaps but it still did the job!  So, when did bubbles become part of baths?

Bubbles found their way into tubs beginning in the 1930s and 40s and became popular during the ’60s with the introduction of soap flakes and surfactant-based soaps.  Bubble baths were marketed towards dirty children with the rise of Mr. Bubble, and tired moms could “Calgon” just about any trouble away.

Today, baths are associated with relaxation and are believed to have many benefits:

• Bathing in warm water increases blood flow 
• Soaking for at least 10 minutes reduces fatigue, decreases stress, and reduces pain 
• Soakers enjoy better sleep
• Baths nourish and hydrate your skin
• Boosting your immune system to help relieve cold and flu symptoms

Better yet, a bath might even improve your creativity!  Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday, Spartacus) preferred a bath to crank out screenplays, and Agatha Christie, the Queen of Mystery, felt most creative submerged in bubbles.  Even, Ben Franklin (credited with bringing the first bathtub to America) enjoyed reading and writing during a long soak.

If you’ve gotten into a shower routine day after day, then a bubble bath may be just the right change of pace.  With the dawn of a new year resolve to make time for a few bubble baths with some luxurious additions…

• Add essential oils like Lavender or Rose will relax you while leaving your body nicely scented. 
• Candles add a great low lighting effect.
• Speaking of books, a bubble bath is a perfect place for reading as well as listening to podcasts, music, or meditations. 
• Sipping while soaking!  Grab a beautiful glass and pour your favorite drink.
• Snacking is okay too… fruit slices are as luxurious as bites of chocolate, you get to choose!
• Add a bath bomb, bath salts, body wash, bath milk, or even Mr. Bubble… bubbles will actually help keep your bath warmer longer so you can linger even longer.
• Smoothing on moisturizer after your bath will leave your skin feeling oh so luscious!

Now, go run some hot water, your bathtub is calling you, see you in the next blog!

Deb Fries is a freelance writer and designer and has worked for Julianna Rae in graphics and customer service.  She now writes lifestyle pieces for the blog at JuliannaRae.com