You probably can recall bath time as a child. The fun you may have had playing with toys, imagining you were captain of a ship or staging a mock battle with your action figures. Or maybe you sculpted bubble castles or used soap crayons to etch out primitive renditions of words on tiled walls. Even if you just splashed around in the water, those are memories you probably look back on with fondness. Bath time was play time. But when adulthood stepped in, play time ceased. Why not try bringing some of that experience of youth back into your current time in the tub? Sure, you're not going to pretend to pilot a toy submarine or splash around with a rubber duck but what are some ways to incorporate 'child-like' fun into your bath that is also beneficial for your health? Check out the suggestions below.
Bubble Play
Bubbles are not just for the little ones. Adding bubbles to your bath can lend a luxurious element to your experience, leaving you refreshed and relaxed. And there are bubble bathsmade specifically for adults that are formulated to soothe and soften skin. So, grab some of your favorite bubble bath and pour it in as the water is flowing. While you're in the tub, you can even give yourself a bubble beard like you did back in the good ole days!
Use Your Imagination
Remember when you played in the tub as a kid? Maybe you were by yourself, or it was you and one of your siblings. You let your imagination take you to different worlds dreaming up stories and making epic conquests, all in your mind. Well, that doesn't have to stop now that you're an adult. You can use your imagination to facilitate relaxation through meditation. The Mayo Clinic describes several meditation techniques helpful for managing stress, visualization being one of those techniques. While you are in the tub, try practicing a visualization meditation. Picture a calming scene with water elements like an ocean or a waterfall. You have the added benefit of incorporating the water in the tub to enhance the stimulation of your auditory and tactile senses.
Color Away Your Stress
Coloring…it's not just for kids anymore! It's doubtful that you want to color on your beautifully tiled walls now that you're an adult. However, the popularity of adult coloring is something that you can adapt to your bath time, and the health benefits of coloring for adults is backed by science. According to an article on CNN health that cited research done in 2005, "coloring definitely has therapeutic potential to reduce anxiety, create focus or bring [about] more mindfulness." So, it's ok, no one is watching to see if you stay inside the lines. Get one of these coloring books, grab some colored pencils, and relax in your Pelham & White tub.
Being an adult is not all work and no play. And when it comes to playing you may want to remember some of those tried and true things you did as a kid. Adapting them to your experience as an adult may even help you to have a less stressful life.