Remember when you were little and you took baths instead of showers? Unfortunately, I stopped taking baths years ago. However, my training for the half marathon has brought about a new set of challenges for my body, including plantar faciitis, shin splints, joint pain, back pain, runner’s stomach, etc. So my best friend Wendy recently introduced me to epsom salt baths-the purpose of which is to relieve muscle pain and tension, and relax the body from its daily tensions and stresses. I’ll admit, I wasn’t a huge believer at first. However, when I decided that I wanted to take my prescribed anti-inflammatory medication as little as possible, I started including these baths into my workout regimen after my long runs. They have not only proven relaxing, but effective in virtually eliminating my joint pain! I highly encourage anyone who is experiencing these kinds of pains to do this for at least 20 minutes a day, and you’ll feel good as new! Here’s the formula:

~Fill your bath tub with hot (not warm) water.

~Pour in 2 cups of epsom salt and one cup of baking soda-the epsom salt will help relieve muscle and joint pain, and the baking soda will leave your skin feeling silky smooth

~You can find epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) at stores like Costco for super cheap!
~I like to add scented candles (like lavender, which is soothing) to my bath time, to make it more enjoyable and relaxing. After all, if you’re taking a bath, why not go all out??

You can also add bath oils and other fun additions to your bath. I haven’t yet experimented with these things since I tend to be extremely sensitive to scents, fragrances, and oils, but if it sounds like something that would enhance your bath-time experience, try it! Indulge in some hot water, suds, and salts!

-Allison