There is a crucial meeting at office but you are stuck in a traffic jam, getting late for the meeting. During this time the hypothalamus inside your brain orders the body to release the stress hormones, which triggers your heart to start racing, and your breath to quicken, while your muscles get ready to jump into action. This particular response works as an emergency procedure to safeguard your body through prompt reaction, but if this response continues on a daily basis, the high level of stress will adversely affect your health. The lines below explain how stress can negatively impact your body and how you can relax and unwind using bathbombs, candles and handmade soaps to improve your health.

Understanding Stress And Its Negative Effects

Stress can be explained as a natural mental and physical reaction that occurs in response to various life experiences. All individuals experience stress at some point of their lives, whether it is at work, or due to medical condition, or even personal relationship crisis. If the stress is short-lived and immediate, it can benefit your health, and assist you with coping in difficult situations.

However, if the stress response continues to fire day in and day out then the chances of stress adversely affecting your health are very high. In fact, chronic stress will trigger several symptoms that will negatively impact your wellbeing. These symptoms of stress can also affect the body, feelings, behavior and thoughts. If you can recognize the immediate symptoms associated with stress, you can take immediate action accordingly. The symptoms that are triggered by stress include:

  • Pain or tension in the muscles
  • Pain in the chest
  • Lack of interest in sex
  • Fatigue
  • Upset stomach
  • Problem in sleeping/ insomnia
  • Headaches

As mentioned earlier, stress can also affect your mood in the following ways:

  • Lack of focus or motivation
  • Restlessness
  • Anger or irritability
  • Depression or sadness
  • Overwhelming feeling

You will also notice changes in your behavior due to stress, which includes:

  • Undereating or overeating
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Use of tobacco
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Less physical exercise
  • Withdrawal from socializing

If not checked in time, stress can lead to serious health problems, like obesity, diabetes, blood pressure problem and cardiac disease. If you want to avoid such health conditions, then you have to come up with a way to de-stress your mind and body.

How You Can Overcome Stress:

An effective way to undo the effects of stress and enjoy a healthy life is by relaxing and unwinding whenever you have time. Relaxing can help you slow down your thoughts and help you think clearly, and unwinding helps you free your mind of stress that builds up during the day. All your creative juices start flowing when you spend time relaxing and unwinding. And the best way to relax and unwind your mind and body is by stepping into the bathtub. All your anxiety and anger is released from the body and you can reach a peaceful state of mind and body. This peace is much needed for improving your health and wellbeing.

Here are some bath time essentials that can enhance your relaxation and unwinding:

  • Candle- The perfect way to set your mood is through a candle. The way it glows in the dark and its subtle heat can usher in hope, warmth and light. You can consider investing in aromatic candles that offer an extra touch to your relaxation time. There are several types of aromatic ones you can choose from including vanilla and lavender fragrances that work wonders. Alternatively, you can opt for aromatherapy ones that provide energy as well as relaxation, or citrus or eucalyptus based candle for an energizing, power bath.
  • Bathbombs and Handmade Soaps- Not only do these treats improve your bathing experience, but they also enhance your skin. You will come across several types of handmade soaps and bathbombs in the stores that actually pamper your skin. There are also some varieties that add amazing fragrances and colors to the water while calming your body. You can also use the aromatherapy ones to help you prepare for bed as they provide immense relaxation during your bath time.
  • Soothing Music- Another very efficient way of setting your mood is through music. With the availability of Bluetooth speakers today, you can use your smartphone to play soothing and calming music while in the bathtubs. Music works like magic, as it can make you feel alive and improve your mood in no time. However, you can also opt for silence during your relaxation if you feel the need for some quiet time.
  • Artwork - Having a piece of art hanging in your bathroom is a good way to relax. Place the artwork in a position that you can see while lying in your bathtub. The stimulation provided by visual art can help you overcome the feelings of being overwhelmed due to work pressure or household chores. The power of art can make you connect to the present moment, and rejuvenate your mind with fresh and positive thoughts.

Your relaxation time is an absolute necessity if you want to de-stress yourself. This is the only time which you can spend on yourself, thinking about nothing stressful or worrisome. Make sure that you are well supplied with a comfortable and dry towel when you step out of the bath. Sheet towels work best for patting yourself dry after a long, hot bath, completing your process of relaxation and unwinding.

Final Words

You now know how harmful stress can be for your body and overall health, and how it can invite several medical conditions if you don’t keep stress under control. The best way to control and in fact, overcome stress is taking some time out to relax and unwind. However, you should not rush with this process, and should keep away all other thoughts when you sit down to relax. There is no point in soaking your body and letting your mind drift into thoughts of what work/chores await you once you are done. Dedicate your mind and body when relaxing in a bathtub, and make sure that you have one or more of the essentials like candles, bathbombs or handmade soaps to help you enjoy your relaxation time. This is the time that you need for yourself, so make the most of it!

Author's Bio: 

Hey there, I’m Nancy and I’m absolutely in love with food and health blogs. I’m on a mission to share my insider cooking, food and health tips with all of you…