The Return of the Big Bath: Reasons to Incorporate a Bathing Ritual into Your Routine

      Sharmadean Reid MBE serves as the Editor in Residence at Who What Wear UK, is a beauty entrepreneur, author, and the founder of 39BC, a brand focused on bathing rituals. Additionally, she established The Stack World and New Methods platforms, and was awarded an MBE in 2021 for her contributions to Beauty and Women. For me, bathing has always symbolized a cleansing experience—physically, mentally, and spiritually. As urban living becomes increasingly dense, we are constantly surrounded by various people's energies and stresses. We inhabit a time where we encounter many strangers daily, and I genuinely feel the necessity to wash away those influences by day's end. I truly can't fall asleep properly unless I've taken a bath. Bathing is so crucial to me that I do it twice daily. In the morning, immersing myself in water as soon as possible is essential. If I'm by the ocean, I jump right in upon waking. If I'm somewhere with a pool, I’ll throw on my robe and head straight downstairs for a swim. Connecting with water right away prepares me for the day. In the evening, however, bathing shifts to a more meditative practice for me. It's how I adjust my nervous system and ready myself for sleep, which I value highly as it's when the body rejuvenates.

      I believe many people underestimate the impact of bathing on wellbeing, particularly for women. It enhances circulation, alleviates muscle tension, and greatly boosts sleep quality. I am passionate about practices that calm the nervous system, with my top three being breathwork, forest bathing, and actual water bathing. There's something transformative about immersion and tranquility that alters your mindset entirely. I also engage in wet body brushing and foot acupressure while in the bath, but my rituals are relatively simple. I'm not the type to fill the water with numerous products; most days, I simply sit quietly with my thoughts.

      What intrigues me is how bathing rituals are present in nearly every culture throughout history. Humans have always felt a connection to water for purposes of purification and ceremony. In Jamaica, we refer to all water spirits as Mami Wata. Ancient Greece saw the emergence of private baths known as balnea in homes, and the Romans revolutionized bathing culture with their heating systems, allowing bathhouses to remain warm around the clock. Across the globe, there are numerous bathing traditions, from the hammams of the Ottoman Empire and North Africa to Japan's onsen culture, which arose around volcanic hot springs—a place where samurai would recuperate post-battle. In Japan, bathing is particularly ritualistic; one is expected to wash every inch of their body before entering the bath, as the purpose isn’t hygiene but rather total immersion. This distinction is essential to me. A shower is meant for cleanliness and is an active process, while a bath invites stillness. I say showers are for hygiene, and baths serve as meditation. Even for those without a bathtub, I believe one can still achieve that sense of tranquility through floating, swimming, or engaging with water mindfully. To me, bathing signifies total immersion in something that transports you to a different state of being, be it water, sound, or even a forest.

      Sharmadean Reid MBE's Bathing Rituals:

      **39BC Sage Water Oil Body Cleanser**

      Given my frequent bathing, I prioritize keeping my skin hydrated. The standout feature of 39BC's Oil Body Cleanser, which I created, is that it won’t leave your skin feeling dry because it's oil-based. You emerge from the bath with soft, fragrant skin. It’s not a conventional bath oil, as I find those too concentrated in fragrance; rather, it’s a blend between an oil and a bubble bath. Currently, I’m enjoying Sage Water for its fresh herbal aroma—ideal for rejuvenating the senses during warmer months.

      **Dr Teals Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution Lavender**

      I tend not to overcomplicate my baths with too many additions. The most I'll use at night is Epsom salts when my body craves recovery. I always opt for magnesium Epsom salts; otherwise, they might not be effective, and you need a fair amount for it to work well. I favor Dr Teal's Epsom salts, enriched with lavender essential oil, which is perfect for soothing before bedtime.

      I typically incorporate some gua sha and body brushing in the bath. I particularly love a Japanese body brush made of sisal bristles, but I prefer wet brushing to dry brushing, which was too harsh for my skin. Since I bathe often, over-exfoliation isn’t ideal.

      **Agatige 3 Point Wooden Massager**

      My favorite tool is my acupressure device for the feet. I often watch videos on fascia release, and I once experienced a spa in Germany with a pebble path designed to awaken areas of your feet, albeit somewhat painfully,