Pandemic Winter Health Hacks

Soak Your Bones Before Bedtime

The magic of hot baths

As a daily (one-hour) bather, I don’t think I’ll ever run out of praise for restorative hot-water soaks. Perhaps that makes me something of a bathing extremist, but I’m not suggesting you have to go quite that far to feel good this winter. Even the occasional short bath can offer incredible health benefits, especially for those taunted by insomnia. As Robert Roy Britt reports for Elemental, “a hot bath (104 to 109 degrees) can help people fall asleep 10 minutes faster and significantly improve their quality of sleep.”

The more senses you can engage, the better you’re likely to feel on the other side. It’s an open question whether Epsom salts deliver their promised benefits, but there’s some interesting science around aromatherapy, like essential oils and bath bombs.

Don’t have a bathtub? Try a steamy shower before bedtime to warm up cold muscles and wash away concerns of the day. You might also consider investing in a simple heating pad to rest under your low back or neck as you nestle into bed. Heat goes a long way toward relaxing tired muscles, and relaxed muscles make it easier to fall asleep.

Illustration: Sophi Gullbrants