If you are having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night, you are not alone. Research conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 2007 found that nearly 64 million adults in the country regularly experienced symptoms of insomnia. 

Maintaining overall good sleep patterns is essential to our overall well being and our health.  We’re all individuals and therefore require different amounts of sleep each night.  Generally adults require somewhere between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. 

One of the best things to do if you are having symptoms of insomnia is to take a bath!  Bathing with right bath salts before bedtime can be very helpful in getting that good night’s sleep. 

Visit our Sleep Well section for bath salt blends that we recommend for you to try tonight.  Sweet dreams!

Whenever I hear "Cold Bath", it gives me goose bumps immediately. I couldn’t possibly fathom the thought of soaking in a cold bath. But after doing some research, I found that Cold Baths are actually very beneficial and helpful to the body.

As the cold of winter surrounds, if you’re like me, your body is definitely not used to this body shock of freezing weather suddenly when this time of year comes around! However, soaking in a Cold Bath from anywhere between 5-10 minutes can improve your body’s response to cold weather for a longer period of time and help you cope with those cold & shivering times that you find your self encountering.

Proven studies have shown that taking Cold Baths will stimulate the blood flow to the skin and will psychologically and physically make you withstand cold temperatures that your body previously couldn’t have. Cold Baths are also great for for the body post-injuries, reduce stress, detox the body, and much more.

Cold baths may be difficult to take if you are used to soaking your body in warm/hot water, but you are definitely capable of withstanding it. In most cases, people tend to work there way up to soaking for 10 minutes or more- “it’s a work in progress”. To make the soak more beneficial, you can add Sea Salt. Dead Sea Salt is a wonderful and therapeutic option.

In the chaos of today’s busy lifestyles we often become prone to cold and flu viruses that can leave us fatigued and uncomfortable. With the demands of our careers and families we don’t always have the luxury of taking a sick day to nurture our aching and exhausting symptoms. Often when it comes down to either going to work in a bit of misery or using up one of our treasured vacation days, we usually opt to drag ourselves out of bed and head to work.

A perfect way for those with a demanding schedule to combat the cold or flu virus is to pamper one's tired body with a Cold and Flu Bath Soak at the end of the day. 

Draw a bath to a comfortable temperature and add a couple handfuls of our Cold & Flu Bath Salts.  Post bath, enjoy a cup of your favorite tea to hydrate yourself and further help to comfort your symptoms.

Our Cold & Flu Bath Salts feature these therapeutic ingredients:

Vitamin C - To reduce the effects of the common cold, high in antioxidants

Lemon Essential Oil - Boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation

Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Boosts the immune system, relieves sore muscles

Tea Tree Essential Oil - A natural antiseptic, also boosts the immune system

Rose Hips - Packed with Vitamin C as well as A, D, and E

Hibiscus flower - High in antioxidants

Echinacea Root - Strengthens the immune system

Ginseng Root - Energizes the body

When you become run down, take care by lending 20-45 minutes of well deserved attention for YOU!

1. Meditate.  Replace all thoughts that are stress inducing and focus on all the positive things around you, leaving out any negativity.  Reflecting on the good things in your life can leave you feeling centered and peaceful. 
2. Read.  It can be a tricky undertaking to manage to read a book without soaking it, but if you can manage, it can be an enjoyable way to multitask while still taking a time out from the rest of the world.
   
3. Play Music. And sing along!  Listening to some of your favorite tunes (whether it’s relaxing music or not) while you bathe can help you unwind at the end of your day.  No matter the type of music, if you enjoy it, it’s sure to put you in a better mood.
   
4. Lather Up. Grab that loofah and spend the extra time you have in the tub exfoliating your skin from head to toe.  Focus on areas prone to dry skin like your elbows, knees, and feet that tend to get breezed over quickly during morning showers.
   
5. Create a tub for two.  Have your sweetie join you in the tub as a romantic ritual before bed.  It’s a great way to spend time together while you both get to relax.

Fizzing, Foaming or Silky? Take your pick! San Francisco Salt Company offers the World’s largest selection of bath and salts.

Here’s a quick look at just 3 great bath soaks that offer a little something extra and stand out from the usual bath salts.

Fizzing Soak
Cool and fun! Add a handful (or two) of this effervescent bath soak to your bath and the water will become tingly. As you soak and enjoy this rejuvenating spa experience at home, the soak will help to soften your skin. Our Fizzing Soak is similar in effect to a bath bomb, but in a powder form.

Foaming Bath Salts
By adding a generous handful of our Foaming Bath Salts to a warm running bath, luxurious and fragrant bubbles will surround you in the tub sending you into pure bliss and deep relaxation. Ahh…..

Silky Soak Bath Salts
Adding a good handful of our Silky Soak to your bath will create the ultimate softening & silkening bath. Your bath water has never felt this good!

Click on the links above for more info on these great soaks and to see color and/or scent options for each so you can customize these products to your preferences.

 
Try this refreshingly tropical bath salt recipe next time you want to cool off in the tub:

1 Cup of your favorite Natural Salt
3 Drops Melon Fragrance
4 Drops Cucumber Fragrance

¼ cup of Dead Sea Mud

Draw a nice warm bath and add the Dead Sea Salt and Dead Sea Mud.  Allow the salt and mud to disperse evenly throughout the tub.

Step in and enjoy your soak for 20 minutes, or as long as you’d like. 

When you’re ready to hop out, give yourself a quick rinse with fresh water.  Follow with a light rinse of the tub to wash out any remaining mud left behind.

Spa Therapy: Moondreams             Himalayan Salt with Lavender & Chamomile essential oils

Sleep Lavender Salts                      Pacific Sea Salt with Lavender essential oil

Pure Organics: Lemon Squeeze       Grey Sea Salt with organic Lemon essential oil

Minera Deluxe                                Dead Sea Salt with the uplifting scent of your choice

Calspa Deluxe                                Pacific Sea Salt with the uplifting scent of your choice

Use this guide to help you choose which bath salt is right for you!

Customize your bath salts with a relaxation promoting essential oil.  Drawing a nice warm bath and adding a large handful of salts will help to ease stress and anxiety, uplifting your mood.  The salts will also soothe tired and achy muscles and make your skin feel amazing.

Our stress relieving essential oils:
Bergamot
Chamomile
Lavender
Lemon


Any of these oils can be ordered with our custom bath salts.

We recommend:

Light Pink Himalayan Salt-  For a limited time you can customize this salt with your choice of scent at no additional charge!

Calspa Deluxe- Pacific Sea Salt with your choice of color and/or scent

Minera Deluxe- Mineral rich Dead Sea Salt with your choice of color and/or scent

Calspa Foaming- Custom Pacific Sea Salt that foam. It would be difficult to not instantly be in a better mood with this fun bath soak!

First you’ll need a foot spa. This can be a large bowl, container or pale- whatever is large enough to allow you to fully submerge your feet (your ankles and lower legs, too!) in water.  Foot baths are convenient, too. You can place your foot bath in front of your favorite chair of sofa and relax while sitting down to read a novel or watch some television.

For each recipe below, fill your foot spa with medium warm water (for the Refreshing Foot Bath use cold water).  Next, simply measure out the ingredients and add them one at a time to your foot bath.  Each foot bath recipe calls for the perfect amount of ingredients for one therapeutic foot soak.  Finally, place your feet in the bowl and allow them to soak for at least 10 minutes.  When you’re finished soaking, pat your feet and legs dry with a soft towel and put on your comfy slippers (have these next to you before you start your spa treatment).

Repairing Foot Bath
½ cup Dead Sea Salt
3 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Sea Kelp Powder

If you’ve just stepped out in your favorite new pair of shoes and are feeling the effects of breaking them in- tired, achy feet and perhaps a few painful blisters, try the Repairing Foot Bath.  The Dead Sea Salt will cleanse and quicken the healing process of any broken skin.  The Bergamot & Peppermint oils and Sea Kelp Powder will aide in the skincare and healing process as well.

 
Detox Foot Bath
½ cup Dead Sea Salt
3 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
2 drops of Juniperberry Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Ginger Root Powder

For the ultimate purifying foot treatment try the Detox Foot Bath.  All of the ingredients for this recipe are ideal for ridding your feet, ankles and legs of toxins and impurities.

 
Refreshing Foot Bath
½ cup Himalayan Salt
3 drops Lime Essential Oil
3 drops Orange Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Ginger Root Powder

A great morning foot bath, the Refreshing Foot Bath will wake up and re-energize your tired tootsies.  Soaking your feet with mineral rich Himalayan salt will uplift you and by adding the refreshing citrus oils you’ll truly awaken and be ready for the day ahead of you.  The ginger powder will provide a detoxing element to your foot soak.  Remember to use cold water for this recipe.

 
Bedtime Foot Bath
½ cup Pacific Sea Salt
3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
1 drop Ylang Ylang III Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Mustard Powder

As you're winding down to the end of the day, soak your feet in a wonderfully calming foot bath.    The blend of salts and essential oils will help fight insomnia so you can be on your way to a pleasant night’s sleep.  Mustard powder is also added in this recipe as another calming and sleep promoting ingredient.

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy our products even if you don’t have a bath tub at home!

In the Shower

Any of our bath salts in an extra-fine or fine grain can be used as scrubs in the shower by simply massaging the salts directly onto your skin in gentle, circular motions with your hands, washcloth or loofah.  You can also sprinkle some scented bath salts onto the shower floor for an aromatic shower- the steam from the shower will help fill the bathroom with a pleasant scent. 

We recommend our Artisan Salts. Or choose custom Calspa Deluxe or Minera Deluxe (these custom salts can be ordered scented but without color).

Salt & Sugar Scrubs- Use our scrubs to exfoliate your body- leaving you with healthier, more radiant skin that is incredibly soft to the touch.

To use:  While showering, simply take a small handful of scrub and gently massage onto skin in circular motions.  Rinse.

Other products ideal for showers (ON SALE NOW!):

Namaste Body Wash, Namaste Body Scrub, Citrus Shea Body Polish, and Citrus Body Wash

At Home Spa Treatments

Pedicure Foot Soak- Just a large bowl or foot spa is needed to treat your feet to a relaxing soak. 

To use: Add a small handful of the Foot Soak to your foot spa to soothe your tired, achy feet by soaking them for 10 minutes.

Other products ideal for your spa at home: 

Dead Sea Mud- See our article on benefits and usage suggestions: Dead Sea Mud Masks

Lotion- Moisturize Dry Skin with our nourishing lotions.

In the Kitchen

We have a selection of gourmet, food-grade salts for consumption, too!

Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt
Light Pink Himalayan Salt
Utah Red Salt
Ibiza European Salt

There is a rumor that has circulated for years, concerning bathing during pregnancy: many believe that bathing during pregnancy is harmful for your unborn child. The most common believe is that germs and dirt from bath water could make it’s way up into the uterus and infect the fetus.

Turns out, this belief is in fact an old wives’ tale, and there is no reason why you shouldn’t bathe while pregnant. In fact, bathing during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do to nurture yourself. Baths are not only wonderful as a source of relaxation, they do wonders for aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

When you take your baths, be sure to keep the water very warm but not too hot - scalding water (at a temperature similar to a hot tub) is too hot and could harm the baby, particularly in the first trimester. 98.6 degrees is about as hot as you want to go, and that’s a nice temperature that will relax and soothe you perfectly.

Taking frequent baths - even two per day - is a wonderful way to treat yourself during this often challenging time. Here are some reasons why bathing during pregnancy is a good idea:

Relaxation: Pregnancy carries many rewards and is a beautiful process for many of us. But hormonal fluctuations, physical changes in our bodies, and the actual task of raising a child can all make us feel stressed out from time to time. Bathing helps decrease blood pressure and elevate mood, leaving us feeling relaxed and uplifted.

Aches and Pains: Many women experience backaches and other aches and pains associated with being pregnant. Bathing soothes tired, achy muscles and relaxes us from the inside out. In fact, bathing is one of the most popular - and one of the safest - treatments for muscle soreness.

Skin Care: Your friends and family have all noticed your new “glow”, thanks to the little one growing inside you! But despite your newfound dewy radiance, there may be some other changes to your skin that aren’t so favorable. Thanks to hormone fluctuations and stress, you may be breaking out and your skin acting up a bit more than usual. Bathing in sea salts - particularly Dead Sea salts - is a great way to clean and detoxify your skin, leaving it soft, supple, and clear. Now you can show off that glow, without anything else getting in the way!

To get the most out of your pregnancy baths, be sure to use high quality bath salts. Bath salts are made using real sea salts from around the world, and there are many varieties to address your specific needs.

Next week, we’ll explore the best salts for you as you go through this important phase in  your life. Until then, take a look at our site and familiarize yourself with the many bath salts we offer. Happy bathing!

But if you're a reporter asking the guys if they ever think about taking a long bath rather than a shower, they tend to clam up.

Men seem to be shy about admitting they pamper themselves with a nice, warm bath. One man went on and on about the therapeutic benefits of his daily bath, the proper mix of bath salts and how 30 minutes was the perfect amount of time for a good soak. Then he decided he preferred that his co-workers didn't know about it.

Others just dismiss the idea out of hand.

"The only reason why I would (take a bath) is we have a whirlpool, so I would fill it up with hot water after a day of physical activity," said Ron Pipkorn, 42, of Milwaukee. Pipkorn prefers the convenience of a shower because he can shave, shampoo and condition and, boom, he's done...................

And then we found Lee Golden, 41, of Milwaukee, who enjoys his time luxuriating in the tub and admits it.

"I love baths," said Golden, who recently purchased a big, new bathtub and uses it three times a week. He likes the Aramus line of bath salts because they soothe aching muscles.

"It's very masculine and it foams a little," Golden said.

He hasn't given up on showers. It's just that he prefers a good soak.

"A bath is not a special occasion for me," he said

Article by By KATHY FLANIGAN from Journalsentinel

Psoriasis Self-care

Although self-help measures won't cure psoriasis, they may help improve the appearance and feel of damaged skin. These measures may benefit you:

• Take daily baths. Bathing daily helps remove scales and calm inflamed skin. Add bath oil, oiled oatmeal, Epsom salts or Dead Sea Salts to the water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Avoid hot water and harsh soaps, which can make your symptoms worse. Instead, use lukewarm water and mild soaps that have added oils and fats.
  
• Use moisturizer. Blot your skin after bathing, then immediately apply a heavy, ointment-based moisturizer while your skin is still moist. For very dry skin, oils may be preferable — they have more staying power than creams or lotions do and are more effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin. During cold, dry weather, you may need to apply a moisturizer several times a day.
  
• Cover the affected areas overnight. To help improve redness and scaling, apply an ointment-based moisturizer to your skin and wrap with plastic wrap overnight. In the morning, remove the covering and wash away the scales with a bath or a shower.
  
• Expose your skin to small amounts of sunlight. A controlled amount of sunlight can significantly improve lesions, but too much sun can trigger or worsen outbreaks and increase the risk of skin cancer. If you sunbathe, it's best to try short sessions three or more times a week. Keep a record of when and how long you're in the sun to help avoid overexposure. And be sure to protect healthy skin with a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF, paying careful attention to your ears, hands and face. Before beginning any sunbathing program, ask your doctor about the best way to use natural sunlight to treat your skin.
  
• Apply cortisone. Apply an over-the-counter cortisone cream 0.5 percent or 1 percent, for a few weeks when your symptoms are especially bad.
  
• Avoid psoriasis triggers, if possible. Find out what triggers, if any, worsen your psoriasis and take steps to prevent or avoid them. Infections, injuries to your skin, stress, smoking and intense sun exposure can all worsen psoriasis.
  
• Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption may decrease the effectiveness of some psoriasis treatments.
  
  From Mayo Clinic - reference Psoriasis

This New Year’s Eve, you may find yourself surrounded by friends or family, eating great food and dancing the night away. Or, you might be spending a quiet evening at home, sharing a quiet champagne toast when the ball goes down. Either way, the best way to begin the New Year is not nursing a hangover or hitting the gym first thing in the morning - the best place to be on the first morning of 2009 is in the tub!

After the holiday festivities are over, you’ll likely feel happy, even relieved - and not to mention exhausted. Many people try to jump into a new routine as soon as they awaken to the new year. They put on their running shoes, jog around the block (or worse, on the treadmill) to make up for a year of sitting on the couch; they sprint to the grocery store in search of new, healthier food. But the first thing you do to ring in the New Year should be all about you, especially after spending a few months thinking of everyone else.

To continue reading the full article CLICK HERE.....

Bath salts and other bath products are a wonderful gift for anyone in your family. Many of us forget to pamper ourselves and don’t buy this kind of thing for ourselves (but we should, but that’s a whole other article!). Bath salts are a great gift idea for a variety of reasons:

Give the Gift of Healthy Skin
Bathing in high quality bath salts has been shown to improve skin tone, clear your complexion, soften and soothe all skin types, and even protect against environmental elements and pollution. Bath salts work to deeply cleanse the skin while working to detoxify and refresh pores.

Rest and Relaxation
Taking regular baths can lower blood pressure and is one of the most relaxing thing we can do. It also gives us time away from other demands such as work and social obligations - and taking time alone is crucial if you want to maintain your sanity in this busy world.

Extraordinary Value
These days, many of us are looking for ways to save money, and the holidays make it difficult to do so. While bath salts are a practical, enjoyable, and thoughtful gift, they won’t break the bank. And if you buy a good amount, they will last for a long time.

They are Beautiful!
Put simply, bath salts are really very pretty. These beautiful crystals come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are available in a rainbow of vibrant colors. When displayed by the side of your tub, they add beauty to the whole room! 

A Personal Touch
Bath salts come in a vast array of colors, scents, and can be infused with herbs and essential oils, making each salt as unique as your family member or friend. You can tailor your bath salt to fit the personality and needs of the recipient, so they will have their own, tailor-made, perfect bath salt.

The holidays are a time of excess - lots of parties, time spent with friends and family, and tons of good food. To combat any unwanted weight gain during the season, it’s a good idea to squeeze some exercise into your busy schedule. You’ll not only stay healthy and trim, you’ll be less likely to overindulge at parties when you see the rewards of all your hard work.

But while you’ll feel and look better, you will have to contend with one side-effect: muscle soreness. After rigorous activity (or any movement your body isn’t used to), you might find yourself feeling tight and sore for a day or two afterwards. This is mostly due to a buildup of lactic acid in your muscles during the cool-down phase of your workout, and tiny tears in the muscle fibers. These tears actually help you get stronger - as tissue builds up around them, your muscles get larger and stronger. Even though some moderate soreness can mean you had a great workout, it is still uncomfortable and makes it difficult to go about your daily activities.

One of the best ways to treat tired, sore muscles is to take a warm bath using high-quality bath salts and soaks. You don’t want to soak in the tub immediately after your workout - you should wait about 1-2 hours. Why? Warm water increases circulation and promotes inflammation; it’s best to gradually cool down your muscles and let them recover a bit before you head to the bath. Take a short walk, do some stretches and refuel with a healthy meal.

Then, take a bath! The warm water massages your muscles and makes them more pliable and less prone to cramping and tightness. The warmth increases your circulation and helps speed muscle recovery.

Bath salts are an essential ingredient in a post-workout bath. Bath salts are usually made from real sea salts, and high-quality salts contain minerals and nutrients that are essential for overall health and also happen to do wonders for sore muscles. Sea salts contain magnesium, a mineral known as a muscle relaxer, as well as other vital nutrients such as potassium.The bath salts also aid in the release of toxins that build up during exercise.

Dead Sea salts are an excellent choice for soothing tired muscles, since they are exceptionally high in mineral content. Essential oils of menthol and eucalyptus work to increase blood flow and cool the skin, resulting in great overall relief. You can create your own bath salts by mixing in your own essential oils and fragrances, or you can buy a soak designed to soothe sore muscles, such as our Muscle Soak bath salt formula.

So a few hours after your next workout, draw a nice, warm bath. Dim the lights and sprinkle in two heaping handfuls of bath salts - the more the better! Sit back, relax, and allow your body to unwind after all its hard work. You deserve it!

Why not take this opportunity to treat yourself to a “time out”, to truly pamper yourself? By taking a bath, you’ll lower your stress level while getting some much-needed time to yourself. Since this week is probably filled with preparations, traveling, or back-to-back plans, you’ll need to rest and rejuvenate.

Here’s an idea: take a bath the night before the big day, with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation. Then, take a bath after everyone leaves, to center and re-balance yourself after all that activity. Through the use of the right bath salts, you’ll achieve the desired results.

Here’s the perfect recipe for each!

Pre-Thanksgiving Bath:
For this bath, you’ll want to use a combination of relaxing and rejuvenating elements in your bath. Try mixing in some bath salts infused with mint or citrus scents to give you an energy boost, and add a soothing bath salt such as our “Tranquility” blend. Color is important as well - bright, lighter colors will refresh you, and “cooler” colors will calm you. Mix and match to perfection!

Post-Thanksgiving Bath:
Now that everyone is gone, you can treat yourself to the perfect, calming bath and follow up with a good night’s sleep. Scents like lavender and vanilla are good choices for a bath before bedtime, as they lower blood pressure and relax you from the inside out. Choose bath salts in blues, purples, or soft greens to calm you even more.

For each bath, dim the lights - or turn them off altogether and light some candles. Play your favorite music softly in the background. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and think of nothing but how the your body feels in the water. Be sure your friends and family know that this is your time to be alone; no interruptions.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Next time you have big plans - a wedding, a date with that special someone, a reunion or a party, take a bath before you go! You’ll arrive looking and feeling your very best, and you’ll enjoy other benefits that may surprise you.

The bigger the event, the bigger the stress; chances are, you’ve spent time planning and preparing, not to mention over-thinking. You hope you have a great time, and if you’re hosting, you hope everything works out perfectly and everyone else is happy. Taking a bath as part of your preparation will lower your blood pressure and give you time to be alone, to drift away and take a moment to escape.

The night before, you will toss and turn in anticipation, and may be unable to get the sleep you need to arrive the next day feeling your best - unless youtake a bath. Light some candles around the tub, pour in some soothing bath salts infused with lavender or another calming scent, and soak for 45 minutes before you go to sleep. You will still be excited about the next day - but you’ll fall into a long, pleasurable sleep and wake up feeling energized and renewed!

Bathing also helps you look your best. Your skin will be softer and smoother, you will be well-rested with a healthy glow. Now that you are feeling and looking your best, you’re sure to have a wonderful time!

But newborns aren’t old enough to safely bathe in the tub, so here are some tips to make your very own “mini-bath” for your littlest one.

Tips for The Perfect Baby Bath:

1.  Keep all your bathing things in a shoebox so it can be ready to go (if you forget anything, you’ll have to bring your baby with you, which is hard when they’re slippery from the tub!) In your box, keep supplies such as a clean diaper, a washcloth, toys, and some mild soap. Also, don’t forget to bring your fluffiest towels. Once everything you need is in the bathroom, bring in your baby!

2.  Fill a basin or a large bowl with warm water. Be sure to check the water and make sure it isn’t too hot. Don’t be afraid to add spongy toys or rubber duckies!

3.  Pick a place to bathe your baby. Be sure that the area is warm, not drafty or cool, as you don’t want your baby to experience drastic temperature changes.

4.  If you use a liner (foam or otherwise) in your basin or bowl, be sure to rinse it out after each use. This limits the growth of bacteria and the spreading of germs.

5.  Wash your baby’s face with a clean, damp washcloth. Don’t use soap, water is all you need. Don’t forget to wash behind those ears!

6. Wash your baby’s scalp and hair with baby shampoo (the kind that doesn’t irritate eyes, like “No Tears” by Johnson & Johnson).

7.  After washing your baby, be sure to rinse him or her off and be careful that no soap bubbles or suds get into the eyes or nose.

8.  Pat your baby dry very gently with a soft, fluffy towel and make sure your baby is warm and covered until dry.

Now It’s Your Turn
After your baby is nice and clean, smelling fresh and fast asleep in bed, take some time for yourself and take a nice relaxing soak in the tub. Don’t forget to add some soothing bath salt . Taking caring of a newborn is hard work so a nice bath should help take away some of the daily stress.

Some Important Safety Notes:
Tragedies can occur in less than 10 seconds: before, during, and after your bath, don’t leave your baby alone - not even for a second. Before bath time, tell your family/roommates/friends you are busy and can’t be disturbed. If you must leave the room to answer the phone (and really, do you?) or to retrieve something you forgot, wrap your baby in a warm towel and take him with you. While your baby is in the tub, don’t turn your back on him, and, obviously, don’t leave the room. Also, be very careful that the water isn’t too hot. Water that seems hot - in a good way - to you, might be too warm for your baby.  Test the water by leaving your wrist in it for a few moments. Also, do not use bubble baths or detergents - in very young infants, they can cause rashes.

Stay safe, and have fun!!

When people think of taking a bath, they generally only think of taking one at night. Baths are extraordinarily relaxing and often make you feel sleepy, so it’s logical that we think of bathing before bedtime.

But did you know that bathing can also be invigorating, and even energizing? If you find yourself groping for your coffee in the morning and taking a quick shower only to show up at work tired, you should consider taking a bath before you go.

For an energizing bath, keep the water warm but not necessarily hot, and mix in some bath salts infused with essential oils from energizing sources. Orange, lime, tangerine, and ginger are all good choices. Color, believe it or not, is also important - choose a bright color such as yellow, orange red or even green to lift your spirits. You’ll save money on coffee, you’ll look radiant, and you’ll feel mentally sharp - so tomorrow, take your bath in the morning and start the day right!

Turn the lights down, sprinkle some scented bath salts in the tub, and bring goodies- toy boats, rubber duckies, the more the better! The warm water will lower both you and your baby’s blood pressure, making you feel relaxed and calm and ready for bed. Scents such as lavender and rose are wonderfully soothing, and the bath salts will soften and smooth the skin, so you’ll both feel soft and supple! Bathing is also a wonderful excuse to share time alone together. Sweet dreams!

For those of you, like us, who are crazy about bathing, here's some interesting reading material before we ring in the new year................reference material is from wikipedia.org

Japanese Bathing Overview
For anyone who has not had the pleasure of a Japanese bath, they really are missing out. The first rule of bathing Japanese style is that baths are not places where you clean yourself. Instead, you first rinse yourself before you enter the bath. Traditionally, you would use cold water from a bucket but a modern shower, although not too hot, will suffice.

Now enter the bath. The bath should not contain any soaps or bubbles but a collection of bath salts dependant on the effect one is after. The water is as hot as you can take it. As you immerse yourself to the neck for up to fifteen minutes, you will feel yourself drift away with the relaxing combination of salts and heat.

Well soaked now, you will next clean. To do this you get out of the bath and use the shower. Do not wash in the bath. When fully scrubbed and rinsed, re-enter the bath for another fifteen minutes. Finish with a cold shower and you will feel like a new person.

If someone else is bathing after you, don't let the water out. Because the water is only for soaking, it can be used by multiple people. The insulation of a driftwood bath will ensure it stays warm.

Japanese Bathing - Rituals and Etiquette
Bathing is an important part of the daily routine in Japan. Baths are for relaxing; the body and hair must be thoroughly scrubbed and all soap removed before entering the bathtub or ¤ªïL.Î(ofuro). This is normally done at a small faucet or shower located in the same room as the tub, while seated on a small stool. The traditional shape of the tub is smaller and deeper than is common in Western homes. A traditional Japanese bathtub is square, and deep enough that the water will cover the shoulders, but requires the bather to sit with the knees drawn up to the chest. Newer bathtubs are more like the western shape. Rather than being drained at the end of each bath, the water is kept warm by means of special heaters, and the same water is used by all the family members. After use, some homes take the hot bath water from the tub and use it to wash clothes in a washing machine. A lid is placed on the tub to maintain the water temperature when not in use, and to prevent evaporation. Any hair or debris is scooped from the water after the bath.

In homes with small tubs, each family member bathes one by one, in order of seniority, traditionally starting with the oldest male. However, many young Japanese women now refuse to bathe after their fathers. If there are guests in the home, they will be given priority. In homes with larger tubs, it is not uncommon for family members to bathe together. Typically one or both parents will bathe with babies and toddlers, and even as children grow older they may still bathe with one of their parents.

Bathtubs are increasingly common in modern Japanese homes, but there are still many homes, particularly in older or rural areas, that do not have bathtubs, so public bathhouses called sent¨­ (äE?«) are common. A regular bathhouse will have tap water heated in a boiler. In all but the most rural areas baths are segregated by sex, and customers bathe nude, many using a small washcloth to cover the genitals. Hotels, pachinko parlours and other venues may have on-site sent¨­ for customer use.

Patrons of traditional Japanese inns or Ryokan will be offered the use of an Ofuro for bathing, either a communal Ofuro with bathing times being scheduled in advance, or a private Ofuro.

Onsen (ÎÂȪ) are baths that by definition use naturally hot water from geothermally-heated springs, sometimes outdoors. Larger onsen will have separate pools for men and women, and visitors normally bathe nude. As with home baths, at sent¨­ and onsen bathers must wash thoroughly before entering the communal baths. Many sent¨­ and onsen ban customers with tattoos which are traditionally taboo, citing concerns over yakuza activity. Very rarely, non-Japanese visitors are banned, a practice regarded as xenophobia. The bathhouses respond that non-Japanese, particularly Russian sailors visiting Hokkaid¨­ in northern Japan, are unfamiliar with the correct etiquette and either dirty the bathwater or behave inappropriately.

reference material from wikipedia

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The Perfect Bath - "Time Out: Stop Working & Start Soaking"