Let’s get over this idea that wine in the bathtub is the answer to all things. Bubble baths with wine are nice, but they don’t always help your anxious mind feel that zen afterward.

It is indeed a relaxing activity, but do I think it helps calm your anxious and stressed mind from there on out? No, I truly don’t.

I’m going to highlight some unique bath tips that may reduce your anxiety come evening time that are tried and tested by yours truly!

Here is my tried and tested calming bathtub guide

Step 1: Remove makeup and put on your craziest lipstick.

I recommend fully getting rid of all your makeup before getting in the tub to avoid annoying makeup getting all streaky or stinging your eyes. An added benefit, you get to see your face natural, fresh, and glowing.

Now, the least obvious step but most crucial, before getting into the tub you need to apply your craziest lipstick, lipgloss, tint, or balm of your choice. I suggest go big, go glam!

We all have some crazy amazing lipgloss or lipstick we feel nervous about wearing out since it might feel too fancy, too extra, etc. etc. Wear it for your bath! Bright pink? Perfect! Deep red? Yes, Queen! Put on whatever makes you feel beautiful and check your self out before getting in the tub.

Let your hair down, pout, blow a kiss, show yourself some love. Trust me, it’s hard not to feel in the very least cute or fun wearing some crazy lipstick in the tub. Rock it.

Step 2: Have a healthy hot drink in your favorite mug

So while I was questioning the whole wine bubble bath thing, I decided to go completely the opposite route on what to drink in the tub. I’ve seen a therapist for my anxiety and they informed me a few months back that certain tactile practices indeed have calming effects on your brain, for instance, a hot cup of something (and being in the water, for that matter!). I’ve decided to use hot healthy drinks as part of my relaxing bath routine from now on!

It’s also true that drinking something good for you, has the placebo effect of feeling good about your decision and that in itself uplifts your mood. There are many options you can go with this hot drink idea: a detox tea, a tea latte, regular latte with added turmeric and cinnamon, matcha latte, steamed alternative milk with a dash of vanilla extract stirred in, and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

For me, I had bought ashwagandha powder a while back and hardly ended up using it. I decided to steam some oat-milk with a teaspoon of the ashwagandha powder in it. I then added a dash of vanilla, maple syrup for sweetener, and some cinnamon sprinkles on top. It was truly delightful having a hot cup of a soothing yummy drink in my hands while in the hot tub.

Make sure to use your favorite mug! Choose the mug that feels the best in your hands and bring it with you in the tub.

Step 3: Close the curtains, splash around!

Do you know how being in a clean room void of clutter brings a calming sense? I figured I should test out if closing the shower curtain would help me feel even more relaxed. It does!

Something about feeling alone and in a tub with no visual distractions is amazing. It made me feel freer to splash around a bit, flipping one way and then the other, laying on my side, my tummy, feet up, etc.

Just having fun enjoying being free and naked in a small cozy confined place is quite wonderful. Get creative with how you enjoy the tub, move around a bit! Feel playful again.

Step 4: Focus on your breath during your relaxing bath routine.

Meditating can be hard but I find the bathtub naturally helps. By submerging your head mostly underwater while still having your nose above water, you can hear yourself breathe. Hearing your breath seems to have a very calming effect and acts as great ‘white noise’ when trying to meditate.

Thanks to the water, you can feel your lungs fill with oxygen as your body floats up towards the top of the water, and feel the oxygen leave as you exhale and your body sinks back down.

Take this time to practice mindfulness. Focus just on your breathing first. Just enjoy listening to it. Don’t judge it, don’t try to change it, just notice it.

Notice how your body feels going up and down in the water as you breathe. Be thankful for your breath and your beautiful working body. Notice your breathing again and just enjoy the moment.

I have found that taking the time to focus on my breath while in the water is a powerfully relaxing part of my bath routine.

Step 5: Go for a little ‘joy-shave’.

Sometimes shaving is stressful. It’s a huge task a lot of the time and takes more time than we’d like. For the shaving tip, don’t feel like I’m saying you have to shave to feel good or that you have to shave everywhere.

What I’m saying is this, generally, coming out of the tub feeling even slightly less hairy than before will help elevate your mood, especially when you slip into bed later! Don’t feel the need to do a perfect job or even a full job.

Pick a couple of places you can lazily shave while you’re in the tub and then proceed to do so. The effect of feeling smooth after emerging from the tub will indeed help carry your good mood throughout the evening.

Step 6: Exfoliate Your body

Exfoliating, mentally knowing that you are scrubbing away dead skin cells to allow new fresh smooth skin to surface in and of itself makes you feel good about this task.

However, there is the bonus that this awakens your skin, all those little surface capillaries, and gets your skin feeling fresh and awake! Feel free to use a loofah with soap or a lovely scented scrub.

There is a reason most full-body massages start with some kind of exfoliating body rub-down! The best massage I ever had in my life thoroughly exfoliated my body first to get my blood circulating!

Take your time and get every nook and cranny, which leads to the next point…

Step 7: Show love to your feet!

Oh my goodness. There was this yoga class that I will never forget taking because the yoga instructor took the time to single out our feet. She made us try to interlock our toes together!

She pointed out that feet are very sensitive to sensations and deserve more of our attention care since they carry us around all day. They deserve some love and respect! I couldn’t agree more. And oh my does scrubbing the bottom of your foot hard feel utterly amazing haha.

Also getting between those toes that don’t get enough attention feels incredible. Clean and exfoliate those bad-boys, do not overlook your feet! Think about how thankful you are for all they do for you. Show them some loving.

Step 8: Utilize natural scents to uplift your spirit.

Last but not least, I don’t think you need bubbles in your bath to have a good time. If that is a must for you, then, of course, go for it. I feel that as long as you utilize a beautiful scent at one point or another, it will aid you in feeling relaxed and lovely.

Wonderful smells make us feel good, I don’t know why, but we all know they do. Make sure to incorporate something that smells lovely at some point in your bath be it a scented shampoo, conditioner, body wash, exfoliant, or a couple of drops of essential oil in the tub.

And there you have it! The 8 tried and tested ways that can leave you feeling utterly calm and anxiety-free while in the tub and after.