Doing 50 things at once? Busy schedules often come hand in hand with stress and anxiety – and many of us forget to add “RELAX” to our overflowing To-Do Lists. However, making time for relaxation is important. Stress can remain in your body, and cause health problems in the future.

I started taking stress relief more seriously after experiencing my first anxiety attack, which was terrifying. Since then, I’ve been making an effort to live a “Hakuna Matata” lifestyle- and this is how I discovered the magic of Epsom Salt Detox Baths.

This is not your typical bubble bath. Epsom salts cause you to sweat, and Alkaline substances (like baking soda) help draw out toxins. These two ingredients combined with the hot bath water will cause you to sweat out harmful substances, and detoxify your body. In addition, it soothes body aches and relieves tight muscles.

To make your own Detox Bath, you will need the following:
2 cups Baking Soda
1 cup Epsom Salt
A few drops of Jojoba oil (for those of us with dry skin!)

Fill a standard sized bathtub with hot water, and pour in the ingredients. Allow the salts to dissolve, and then climb on in! I like to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. Your sweat will dry on your skin, so gently exfoliate with a loofah every 5 minutes to  clear toxins. In addition, make sure to drink plenty of water during and after your bath, to prevent dehydration.

An important thing to keep in mind is that Epsom Salt baths aren’t for everyone. They generally aren’t recommended for people with heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes. If you fall in any of these categories, call your doctor! If you’re all clear, grab those salts and get to soaking. Enjoy!

– Shalyn Tharayil