The average American spends nearly 1/3 of their day sitting down –– but what if you could sit down and enjoy a little self-care at the same time? Enter a sitz bath: a cozy and soothing way to look after yourself, which also involves sitting.
What Is A Sitz Bath?
A sitz-style bath is a different kind of bath, one that focuses on the bottom area instead of the feet or the entire body. These baths can be taken in a standard bathtub or a bath that attaches to a toilet seat.
It’s a type of self-care practice that anyone can easily try. If you have a bathtub, fill it with a few inches of warm water, then soak your bottom and allow it to soothe you. Do the same with a sitz basin.
This type of bath is particularly popular with pregnant women or those who have hemorrhoids, but anyone can benefit from it. Because Americans spend so much time sitting down, sitz baths are an excellent way to soothe any sort of discomfort that may arise after a long day.
For those with hemorrhoids, itching and soreness are part of dealing with the condition. Unfortunately, there are more than a few people out there who believe they simply have to deal with the discomfort until their treatments work and the hemorrhoids start to go away.
A sitz soak is an excellent way to prove that idea wrong, and there’s no better time to take one of these soaks than when symptoms begin acting up. Alongside treatment from medical professionals, sitz bathing provides a ton of comfort and soothing care.
Taking A Sitz Soak
Taking a sitz soak couldn’t be easier. Because it can be taken in either a full tub or a sitz on the toilet bowl, it’s accessible to just about anyone. Before you soak, make sure your bathtub or sitz basin is clean and that you have a towel within reach.
After you’ve figured out where you’re going to take your sitz soak, it’s time to get your water ready. In a tub, test the temperature and make sure you settle on warm but not too hot.
If you plan to use a sitz basin, get your temperature just right before you begin filling your bath. The perfect temperature for a sitz is hot enough to generate a little steam for aromatherapy but comfortable and not harmful to the skin.
Once your tub or basin is filled, it’s time to prepare your soak. It's best to go for a sitz soak blend made of pure, natural ingredients to ensure maximum effectiveness and relaxation. Click here to order our all-natural sitz soaks at Better Bath Better Body.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is renowned for its ability to soothe and comfort, making it a popular choice for sitz soaking at any time. When adding your soak, start with 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. Gradually move up to 2 tablespoons the more often you do a sitz soak and once you learn what feels good to your body.
After adding your soak, agitate the water to make sure the salt has dissolved, and get ready to relax. As you’re soaking, you can read a book, watch a show you love, do a crossword puzzle, listen to music, or simply live in the moment and enjoy the aromatherapeutic essential oils.
Once you’ve been soaking for about 15 to 20 minutes, it’s time to get up and pat dry. Patting instead of rubbing the skin is recommended, as it is more gentle on the skin.
Sitz Soaks For Everyone
At Better Bath Better Body, we understand that we all have unique preferences and needs, which is why we offer different sitz salt variants. One of them is our Sitz Bath Soak, which is made of USP Grade epsom salt and infused with essential oils of juniper, niaouli, geranium, lavender, and frankincense.
Another soothing blend for hemorrhoids, postpartum care, or just plain relaxation is our Lilliuma Sitz Bath Salt. The difference between this and the Sitz Bath Soak is the Mediterranean sea salt base, jojoba seed oil, and essential oils of chamomile, lavender, and frankincense.
“Just because” is always a good enough reason to enjoy the soothing effects of a sitz bath. Whether you’ve been sitting all day, have been dealing with hemorrhoid discomfort, or simply want to elevate your self-care routine, having a good soak at hand is always a good idea.
Click here to place an order today.