I am not a bath person but, starting at the beginning of the year, I needed a way to escape and relax and calm my anxiety. I found adding a few simple products to a nice hot bath really did the trick.

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes

These bath flakes have been an absolute God send. I love everything minerals and really believe in the power of minerals and their necessities in our health. Most of our soils are depleted of minerals so it’s important to learn how we can incorporate in a way that works best for us, as individuals of course. These bath flakes help me to sleep like a baby and just give me such an overall feeling of relaxation.

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes - 4.4 lbs.

Dissolved in warm water, Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes provide the user with a medicinal bath of cell restoring, highly soluble magnesium chloride. These dreamy bath flakes contain nothing but raw magnesium chloride and other trace minerals drawn from the Ancient Zechstein Seabed in Northern Europe. Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes bypass the gastrointestinal tract for convenient, rapid absorption into the cells.

Are You at Risk for Magnesium Deficiency?

Nearly 75% of the US population is deficient in magnesium. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you may be at risk for magnesium deficiency.

Are you 55 years old or older?
Do you drink carbonated beverages on a regular basis?
Do you regularly eat pastries, cakes, desserts, candies or other sweet foods?
Do you experience a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently had a major medical procedure such as surgery?
Do you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks daily?
Do you take a diuretic, heart medication, asthma medication, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy?
Do you drink more than seven alcoholic beverages per week?
Do you take calcium supplements without magnesium or calcium supplements with magnesium in less than a 1:1 ratio?
Do you experience anxiety, hyperactivity, or difficulty sleeping?
Do you experience muscle spasms, cramps, or twitches?

The Health Benefits of Magnesium

Increases Bone Strength
Alleviates Stress and Anxiety
Boosts Mood and Fights Depression
Promotes Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure Levels
Promotes Heart Health
Alleviates Headaches and Migraines
Alleviates Muscle Pain, Cramps, and Twitches
Improves Skin Hydration
Speeds Wound Healing
Enhances Skin Barrier Function
Decreases Inflammation
Increases DHEA Levels

Suggested Use

Simply dissolve 1-3 cups or more of the magnesium flakes into a warm, but not hot, footbath or tub bath, and soak for 30 minutes or more. One cup contains approximately 15 g elemental magnesium.

http://www.genuinezechstein.com/genuine-zechstein-coa-a101-a901.pdf

Dried Lavendar and Calendula Flowers

This is probably a more indulgent part of the process and not always essential but, they really help to take my bath up a notch. I highly recommend. I get mine from the bulk section of Community Natural Foods or Light Cellar both in Calgary. You could also use some herbs or even dried rose petals, etc.

Calendula is one of my favourite flowers for it’s healing properties. It’s a gentle flower and used like arnica and promotes healing.

Temper and Lace Candle

A candle is a must for any relaxing bath, but I like my candles non-toxic and with a smell that doesn’t give me a headache from synthetic fragrance. Temper and Lace candles are truly one of a kind and totally add so much ambiance to my bath. The candles are pure soy wax with wooden wicks, beautiful essential oils, - all handmade in southern Alberta. Using phthalate + paraben free fragrance oils or pure essential oils to provide the cleanest burning candles on the market. Fragrances are never overpowering - but offer a lovely, light scent. Wooden wicks come from FSC certified mills. The soy wax is made right here in Canada - and it’s never blended with paraffin, additives, or preservatives. They’re literally THE BEST.

Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Bath Bomb

If I am really feeling indulgent and I have some on hand, I may add a nice Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Bath Bomb to take my bath relaxation up a notch. I love lemongrass and lavender and I know they are made with the cleanest of ingredients and, my kids LOVE them too!

Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream + Overnight Resurfacing Peel + Eye Revive Cooling Masks

And last but not least, what is a bath without some great skincare! I run through my skincare routine which includes Beautycounter’s anti-aging regimen Countertime and I relax with supple and soft skin getting ready to head to bed. The cooling masks take it up a notch and help to melt the stress away and really leave my eyes feeling revived!

Also using Beautycounter’s lemongrass body scrub on occasion.

Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream

Powerful, regenerative hydration Supremely rich and deeply hydrating, this cream supports elasticity and visibly firms while minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. With continued use, wake up to more radiant, youthful-looking skin. RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES After just four weeks of use*: 91% woke up to glowing skin 94% reported skin looked and felt firmer 97% experienced instant and lasting hydration 91% observed their skin tone looked more even *Based on a 33-subject consumer perception study after four weeks of use. Clinically proven to: Provide long-lasting hydration** Increase skin elasticity*** Increase skin’s plumpness*** Visibly increase skin firmness*** **In a clinical study of 33 subjects after eight hours.***In a clinical study of 33 subjects after four weeks. FEATURED INGREDIENTS Retinatural Complex: We took two of the most powerhouse plant-derived ingredients available and created a scientific breakthrough. Bakuchiol has been shown to provide skin-care results that are comparable to retinol—without harmful side effects such as skin irritation and increased sun sensitivity—and Swiss Alpine rose boosts the skin’s antioxidant defense. Tetrapeptide: Helps increase skin elasticity, minimize the appearance of lines, boost visible firmness, and smooth skin surface. Fermented Sugars (Biosaccharide Gum-1): This blend of fermented sugars helps soothe skin while helping slow the visible effects of aging by optimizing hydration for renewed skin.

Overnight Resurfacing Peel

Goodnight, dullness. Good morning, glow. Featuring a proprietary multi-acid complex, this leave-on AHA/BHA peel improves skin texture and boosts clarity without irritation or over-drying. With glycolic, malic, and botanically derived lactic acid, the formula clears away dull surface cells, while arginine and essential fatty acids help soothe to reveal a brighter, healthier looking, renewed complexion.After two weeks of use* 100% agreed skin felt and looked smoother 90% experienced radiant and glowing skin 97% reported that skin felt resurfaced 87% said pores looked minimized *Based on a 30-subject consumer perception study using the product every other day for two weeks.Clinically proven to** Boost skin radiance Help improve skin texture

Eye Revive Cooling Masks

Awaken the eye area and reduce the appearance of puffiness with these cooling masks. Formulated with cucumber extract and aloe leaf, they work to leave the skin around eyes feeling soothed and refreshed.Benefits: Helps reduce the appearance of puffiness. Instantly awakens the eye area. Ophthalmologist tested. Safe for contact lens wearers. After two weeks*: 97% said the eye area felt soothed 91% said the eye area felt refreshed and hydrated 81% said the eye area felt more awake *Based on a 32-subject consumer perception study after two weeks of use, once weekly. FEATURED INGREDIENTS: Cucumber extract: calms and soothes skin. Aloe Leaf: helps to soothe and hydrate skin.

And there you have it, my recipe for the most indulgent and relaxing bath ever!!