When’s the last time you took a long, hot bath? Bubbles floating around you, while floral scents waft up from the water to your nose. While sitting in the bath, I experience serenity. The water washes over me and takes my worries and anxieties down the drain. 

My bath time is my happy time, and they’re always luxuriously inexpensive. The one thing that absolutely makes my bath is my bamboo bath tray. It has extendable sides, a reading rack, a cell phone tray and an integrated wine glass holder. The best part is, you can get the same thing on Amazon for about $30. 

It was a bath-changing, no, life-changing present I received last Christmas, and I haven’t taken a bath without it since. The bamboo makes it basically waterproof as well as lightweight. It’s a must-have for all serious bath takers. 

Was it really a luxurious bath if you didn’t have any delicious scents floating around? Bath bombs are an obvious place to start, but here are a few tips. Avoid dark colors or super pigmented colors because they will stain your skin and your tub. I’ve had this happen to me countless times, it’s not hard to clean, but it’s a pain that can be avoided. 

Go for lighter colors and lighter fragrances. Heavy fragrances can potentially alter your pH balance, which can make you more susceptible to infections. It’s not a big concern, so you don’t have to swear off bath bombs for the rest of your life, just be cautious. 

Bath and Body Works make scents straight from heaven, and their body soaps make the best smelling bubbles. These soaps can be pricey, but B&BW almost always has a sale or BOGO going on. One of my favorite scents, “In the Stars,” features notes of sandalwood and starflower. It’s divine. 

When my body is aching or my muscles are sore, a bath is my go-to remedy. A hot bath with about a teaspoon of peppermint oil feels like you just put icy-hot all over your body but in a good way. The peppermint creates this coldness that travels all over your body while the other parts of you are kept warm by the bath, it’s amazing.

I just recently got over a bad sinus infection, my head was stopped up like crazy, but after taking a peppermint bath, I felt so much better. It didn’t cure me, but it alleviated a lot of pain and opened my airways up. 

Epsom salts and bath salts are other good pain relievers. Dr. Teals makes bath salts called soothe and sleep, calm and serenity, glow and radiance and relax and relief. These have essential oils like lavender, spearmint, eucalyptus and rose for whatever your body or mind needs that day. 

You can find these at Walmart, but I promise they will make your bath feel luxurious. Grab a container jar with a scoop and some small candles while you’re there, and voila! You’ve got a luxury bath that will put your mind and body at ease. Go fill up your tub, grab a good book and a few of these items, and, I promise, you won’t regret it.