From bathing to ritual: why water is part of our wellbeing

Since its origins, Homo sapiens has also been a Homo aquae, learning to wash through instinct and by observing other animals, whether to cool down on hot days, soothe bites and wounds or simply enjoy the pleasure of feeling clean. However, as the great civilisations of humanity developed, bathing became a ritual that went far beyond hygiene and beauty.

Why bathing rituals are connected to mental wellbeing

Life moves quickly. Our days fill up with endless tasks and wellbeing is often pushed aside because there never seems to be enough time. A bath, not simply the quick morning shower but a true bathing ritual, offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and reset both body and mind.

There is a significant difference between a hygiene routine that we carry out automatically and a bathing ritual prepared with full awareness and attention to every detail and sensation.

If bathing lies at the heart of so many wellbeing therapies, it is no coincidence.

With the right atmosphere and state of mind, a bath can become a truly restorative experience.

• It helps relieve stress: when enjoyed in warm water with bath salts or a bath infusion, the muscles relax, the nervous system begins to calm and the airways open.
• It can improve sleep: a warm bath followed by a lukewarm shower before bedtime can help regulate body temperature and support the quality of the first sleep cycle, which is essential for the body to recover and eliminate toxins.
• It supports blood circulation: at the same time, it can help reduce tension, which in turn supports blood flow to the brain and reduces cortisol, the hormone released by the body in situations of stress, anxiety or distress.

Preparing the bath itself as a moment devoted entirely to yourself is already an exercise in mindfulness. It helps calm the mind and release tension by bringing your attention to every movement and sensation associated with the ritual.

Bathing across cultures

Hygiene, health, spirituality or simply pleasure. Bathing is inseparable from what we call the art of living or quality of life. Interpreted and performed in countless ways, the bathing ritual is a cultural practice with deep roots and important meanings within different societies.

• There is hardly a luxury hotel or resort without a spa offering a wide selection of treatments centred around bathing. In Western culture, bathing is primarily associated with cleanliness, beauty and pleasure. The growing interest in health and wellbeing has gradually enriched and diversified our understanding of the bathing ritual.
• In Japan, the culture of the onsen, or communal hot spring bath, revolves around a precise ritual focused on meticulous body cleansing and mental relaxation. It begins with thorough washing using soap and a massage cloth while sitting on a small wooden stool, followed by several rinses using a wooden bucket. This ritual perfectly reflects the extraordinary attention to detail and gesture that characterises many aspects of Japanese culture.
• One of the oldest bathing traditions originated in the Indus Valley. India remains a country where ritual bathing continues to be a powerful expression of spirituality, attracting enormous numbers of people. It is no longer simply about hygiene, beauty or pleasure, but about spiritual purification and drawing closer to the divine. The Ayurvedic tradition, which is thousands of years old, includes medicinal bathing rituals using streams of water and exfoliating soaps before treatments with seed oils such as sesame oil, which are poured over the body before massage.
• The Finnish bathing ritual, with its extreme changes in temperature, stimulates the body's nerve endings and produces a profound sense of calm and relaxation without draining energy. Quite the opposite, it can act as an invigorating therapy. Traditional practice begins with a thorough shower before entering a dry sauna at temperatures above 80 °C. This is followed by gentle tapping of the body with fresh birch branches and finally a cold shock, either by plunging into icy water or taking a very cold shower. It may not be for everyone, but its effects are unmistakable.
• The hammam brings together Mediterranean culture and the Eastern spirit. It is a bathing ritual centred on purifying the body and calming the mind. The experience is slow and serene, moving through thermal rooms at different temperatures before reaching the steam room and finishing with an exfoliating massage. It is a true purification ritual designed to remove toxins and impurities, tone the body and release tension.

The physical and symbolic role of water

Water is the principle of all things. This was the idea proposed by Thales of Miletus, the first philosopher to offer a rational explanation of the world without resorting to mythology. He identified water as the primary element from which everything originates and to which everything eventually returns. Moisture is where life begins and where the vital warmth that sustains it is generated.

Water is also an element associated with the feminine and therefore takes us back to the origin of life. This is why it is traditionally represented by an inverted triangle. For many of the world's major religions, water is an element of purification and a means of connecting with the divine.

As a symbol of youth, water represents primordial matter, the substance through which pure life is transmitted. This is also why Taoism associates water with virtue.

Through the bathing ritual, we can rediscover the sacred nature of water, no longer seeing it simply as something that flows from a tap without a second thought, but as a precious substance that is essential to life.

How to create your own bathing ritual

The image of a bathtub filled with bubbles, surrounded by candles and accompanied by a glass of wine has become something of a cliché. Reading a book in the bath surrounded by dozens of candles can feel more like an Instagram pose than a genuine moment of relaxation.

Beyond these clichés, bathing can become an authentic moment of care and wellbeing adapted to the individual needs and circumstances of each person.

Elements that help create intention

The essential element is water and the way we choose to experience its benefits, whether through the jets of a shower, immersion in a bathtub or steam produced in a steam room or by a hot water diffuser.

• If you are using a shower, the most important factors are water pressure and temperature. Begin with lukewarm water to cleanse the skin thoroughly using an exfoliating gel, cleansing soap or massage glove. Then move to warmer water to rinse the skin and help open the pores, finishing with lukewarm water that gradually becomes cooler. At the end, use cold water at maximum pressure to massage the legs with upward movements from the ankles towards the upper thighs.
• If you are using a bathtub, the water should be pleasantly warm without becoming uncomfortably hot. Bath salts, a bath infusion or a few drops of concentrated essential oils can be added. Enter the water gradually, first checking that the temperature is comfortable, and settle into the most relaxing position possible with the body immersed.

This is not the moment for reading, drinking wine or introducing other distractions. The important thing is to focus on the sensation of the water, the aromas and the way the muscles gradually relax as the pores and airways begin to open. It is not advisable to remain in the bath for more than fifteen minutes, and the ritual should always finish with a cool shower.

Other important elements when preparing a bathing ritual are the temperature of the room, ideally between 22 °C and 24 °C, and the lighting, which should be soft and warm.

The natural sounds of bathing can create their own ASMR experience, particularly the sound of running water, so there is no real need for music, especially when this involves handling electronic devices.

Recommended frequency and times of day

To gain the greatest benefit from a bathing ritual, it is essential to devote your full attention to it, without rushing, watching the clock or, even less, checking your phone. Whatever time of day you choose, it should be a moment of calm, silence and complete immersion in the experience.

• First thing in the morning, bathing can become an energising ritual when finished with a brief cool shower and a citrus scented body mist, for example.
• After physical exercise, a bath can help relax and restore tired muscles, particularly when followed by a massage using a good body oil scented with mint or lavender.
• At the end of the day, before going to bed, a bath can become a calming ritual by adding a couple of tablespoons of green tea and a small amount of rose scented oil to the warm bath water.

The bathing ritual with El Jardín de Hammam

The hammam bath is essentially a purification ritual. It removes toxins and impurities, helps reduce tension and inflammation in the body and prepares the skin to receive the benefits of oils and other treatments.

1. Always begin with a short, lukewarm shower using a 100% plant based soap scented according to your preference. El Jardín de Hammam offers four different fragrances in its bar soap enriched with seven plant oils.
2. Continue by immersing yourself in warm bath water, making sure it is not too hot. After around five minutes, the skin is ready for massage using the 100% natural black soap cream with activated charcoal and the Kessa gloveMassage the entire body gently before remaining in the bath for another five minutes.
3. Return to a lukewarm shower to remove any remaining soap. Finish by rinsing the legs with cold water.
4. Dry the skin and massage the entire body with your chosen oil. El Jardín de Hammam offers a collection of seven scented oils with highly nourishing and moisturising properties thanks to a formula based on seven 100% natural plant oils. The effects of the oil can be complemented with a scented body mist.
5. Wrap yourself in a bathrobe and allow the skin time to fully absorb the oil. Meanwhile, hydrate from within with a good cup of mint and spearmint teaThe skin will feel radiant, smooth and toned, tension will have faded and the mind will feel noticeably calmer.

Frequently asked questions about bathing rituals

What is the difference between a bathing ritual and a normal bath?

A bathing ritual is a carefully considered sequence performed with full awareness and attention, which is why it can also have a positive effect on the mind. A normal bath is usually something we do automatically, primarily for hygiene, to cool down or simply as part of our everyday routine.

Can a bathing ritual help you sleep better?

Yes. It can help reduce stress, regulate body temperature and relax the muscles, all of which can encourage better rest.

What are the mental benefits of bathing rituals?

Above all, they help focus our attention on what we are doing, encouraging greater awareness of self care and a deeper appreciation of our own body. A bathing ritual reconnects us with our senses and, through physical sensations, can help us regulate our emotions.