If anything is true, it's that we at VAAY have the experience to truly put into perspective what matters – our loved ones and our health (both mental and physical). We hope that you have found the time this year to take some time out for yourself to reflect and relax, as self-care is vital for our wellbeing. Cannabidiol, or CBD, can be a wonderful addition to your self-care routine for its natural and potential calming abilities. And what's more calming than a bath? Why, a bath infused with a CBD bath bomb, of course! Consider this article your guide to ensuring your bath time experience is the best you can make it, and why you need to add CBD bath bombs to your wish list right now! So, sit back, relax, and soak up everything you need to know about bathing with CBD.
What's self-care, and why is it important?
First things first- let's begin by addressing the all-important question: what is self-care? This is vital to address, as you would be surprised at how many people confuse self-care with being self-involved or selfish. This is totally not the case, so, the next time you hear someone tell you they are going to have a self-care day or mental health day, don't judge them! You see, self-care pertains to acts that we do for ourselves to make us a better person, as we are putting our mental and physical needs into focus for a little while. Let's face it; you are more likely to be a nicer, more personable individual if you feel in a good, relaxed mood. Where if you feel tired and stressed, your relationships can take a hit- especially if you take it out on your partner, family or friends (regardless of if you want to or not). You should want to commit to acts of self-care, it's not something that you should feel obligated to do, as this negates the whole purpose! So, the next time you feel yourself feeling stressed and anxious, we recommend that you consider your needs, and what would make you feel better, not just what's worked for your friends and family. This can revive you as a person, and allow you to be there for your loved ones if they need you. We all need to replenish ourselves from time to time, and you should never feel ashamed of putting your needs first.
Examples of self-care
Some of you may already have set self-care routines that you like to follow, while others may be looking for a good place to begin. Wherever you are in your self-care journey, below we have provided you with some helpful ideas:
Emotional:
The possibilities are endless when it comes to self-care acts that enhance your emotional wellbeing. You could decide to make a therapy appointment to talk and vent your feelings in a safe place, and in a healthy manner. You could also make an effort to write in your journal every night before bed, or to employ coping strategies unique to you when you feel yourself getting overwhelmed or stressed. Or it could be as simple as setting time aside for you to take a relaxing bath (stay tuned to discover why you should be adding CBD bath bombs into the mix) or meditating with a candle for ten minutes every day.
Physical:
There are plenty of self-care acts that pertain to your physical health. It could be as simple as taking yourself out for a daily walk, making a diet plan that includes all of the nutrients your body needs (while allowing yourself a few treats) or trying new activities like yoga, meditation, or a new sport. You could learn the skills online, or head out to a class and meet new like-minded people.
Work:
If you find yourself working too hard or for too long, then ensure that you set aside time for a well-deserved break every couple of hours. This will ensure that you are working to the best of your ability, and not approaching burnout. You could set the alarm on your phone so that you don't forget (slumping over your computer screen and fighting back tears is also a good indication of burnout, FYI). Setting boundaries is also a good idea- if you find your boss asking more from you than you can give, then it's time to set up a meeting.
Financial:
This is an often-overlooked area when it comes to self-care, but it's time to put it into the spotlight. After all, it can negatively impact all areas of your health. You could set time aside to make budget plans, so that no nasty surprises crop up. Or, alternatively, you could open a savings account, put a little money in it every month, and then buy yourself a treat at the end of the year. You can regard this as your reward for successfully saving your hard-earned cash!
Social:
When it comes to social life, many people rely on this area as their main area of self-care. This can be because they regard spending quality time with their loved ones and friends as time well-spent. Loved ones can also be a support system in your time of need, and vice versa, so it's essential to keep them close.
What is CBD?
Before we get into how CBD bath bombs can enhance your self-care routine, we need to answer the question: what is CBD oil? You obtain CBD from hemp plants, otherwise known as cannabis Sativa plants. Research into the compounds found in the cannabis plants is always growing, as people are becoming more intrigued by how natural products can add to their healthy lifestyles. CBD is not to be confused with recreational cannabis, although marijuana as a plant does contain CBD in small amounts. Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly referred to as THC, has psychotropic properties and therefore has the power to make you high. CBD is not psychotropic – so you can use it with confidence, making the experience even more enjoyable.
CBD bath bombs
Have you ever found yourself wondering "what is CBD oil good for"? If so, then you're not alone! And there are many answers to this question, as CBD is seriously talented – it lends itself to a ton of products. You've likely heard of CBD oil, as this is one of the most popular ways to consume it. Before you found this article, you may have even thought that this was the only way! It can come in a tincture, or as a spray, and you simply hold the oil beneath your tongue, to be absorbed via the sublingual gland. Other widespread ways of consuming CBD oil are via vaping, skincare products, and edibles. While these are all great ways of adding CBD oil to your life, sometimes it's fun to spice things up a little, right? Well, this is where CBD bath bombs come in! We here at VAAY like to keep ahead of the pack, as well as get our creative juices flowing. This is why we can present to you: our CBD Lavender Bath Bomb. It's infused with (you guessed it) all-natural CBD oil, as well as lavender leaves, shea butter, and bath salts.
How do you use CBD bath bombs?
We're sure that you're familiar with bath bombs, and the explosion of colour and fun they can add to your bath time. However, in case you're not 100% sure of how to use them, let's answer your burning question: how do you use our CBD bath bomb? Well, first things first, you should set the mood of relaxation and calm, you could do this by surrounding your bath with candles or by playing your favourite music in the background. You then run a nice, warm bath for yourself and pop the bath bomb into the water. Then watch as it fizzes into the water, releasing the beautiful scent of lavender – it's a treat for the eyes and nose! Once the fizzing has ceased, the core of the bath bomb is freed, and you can enjoy our organic CBD, nourishing shea butter, and oils. Smooth this over your body, and then sit back and feel the metaphorical weight of the world being lifted off of your shoulders.
Top tip:
stay in the bath while you allow the CBD bath bomb core to fully absorb into your skin, and don't wash it off until at least five minutes have passed. This way, you can fully reap all of the calming and moisturising potential benefits it has to offer.
Benefits of CBD bath bombs
Now we've got to the good bit – let's examine how adding CBD bath bombs to your self-care routine can possibly benefit your life!
The scent
The aroma that bath and body care products can produce can be as intoxicating as it is relaxing. Did you know that the terpenes in CBD products can release natural, beautiful smells? Well, now you do! CBD bath bombs are no different, take our Lavender Bath Bomb, for example; it contains the terpene linalool. This is a firm favourite among many bathtime enthusiasts, as it's famed for its relaxing floral smell, along with a tinge of spiciness. It's extremely prevalent in skincare and bath products, and it also occurs naturally in essential plant oils like lemon, mint, and cinnamon. Surrounding yourself with a heavenly scent while soaking all your cares away can do wonders for your emotional health. In fact, one review reported that inhaling CBD may reduce people's response to fear; therefore this could help to create a possible calming effect. CBD bath bombs could produce an atmosphere of relaxation as you sit back and enjoy the natural, comforting smells while you soak.
Moisturising baths
We all dream of healthy-looking skin, and, for some of us, that means wanting to look younger than our years. You can spend a fortune on chemical creams, lotions, and potions to help turn back the clock, but wouldn't you prefer using something natural? This is where CBD comes in! Reviews have indicated that CBD oil may help to nourish and moisturise your skin, and this can help to give you a more youthful appearance. What's more, CBD has demonstrated its potential ability to act as an antioxidant, and it has the ability to repair skin that has been damaged by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms in the body that can cause damage to us in the form of illness, and cause premature ageing in the form of wrinkles. This is where a CBD bath might just give your skin a helping hand, and give it a more youthful glow. This way, you will be able to look as good as you feel! You even could combine your CBD bath with your facial skincare routine (such as using a face mask while you're in the tub), as this way you are truly putting your needs and skin health into focus- and probably smelling great, while you're at it!
It may affect your skin health
Did you know that our skin is our body's largest organ? And yet the health of our skin is often overlooked or pushed to the back burner, in favour of our other organs. However, our inner health can most certainly reflect through our skin, so taking care of it is vital. A growing body of research is emerging concerning our skin's health and how CBD may play a part in it. One study published in 2014 examined the effect that CBD might have upon sebocytes. These are the glands in the human body that can create sebum (the oil on our skin responsible for acne), and an excess of sebocytes can also cause skin conditions like acne. Acne is categorised as a skin condition that causes spots to appear on the face, chest, and back, and it can also cause your skin to feel hot and uncomfortable. It's such a common skin condition that the chances are you've experienced the horror that is acne! The good news is that CBD has the potential to exert its therapeutic potential effects on these glands, and help to prevent the skin from producing excess sebum. This means that regularly taking a CBD bath could possibly help to reduce any acne and spots that cover the chest and back. This can be the trickiest part of your body to reduce spots on, due to it being hard to reach, but also your skin rarely gets the chance to breathe. This makes taking a long, relaxing bath the best time to give it some much-needed TLC.
So, what else could CBD help with? Well, there has also been a fair amount of research into the cannabis plant and how it could potentially hold antifungal and antibacterial effects for the skin. Name a more fun way than taking a nice, warm bath, to possibly reduce symptoms of skin infections? Nope, can't think of one, can you? Researchers have also taken an interest in studying the potential effects of CBD on the symptoms of fairly typical skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, thanks to its other therapeutic properties. The symptoms of psoriasis include itchy, sore patches of skin and swollen skin. The symptoms of eczema include swelling, itching, soreness, and red skin. CBD could possibly help to relieve some of these symptoms, in particular itching, as a study published in 2019 discovered. This small study included participants dealing with severe itching as a result of their skin condition atopic dermatitis. A CBD ointment reportedly helped to reduce their symptoms of itching, and in turn, this led to a good night's sleep, as well as purportedly improved the appearance of the skin. So, if you find that you can't ditch that itch, then run yourself a calming and therapeutic bath accompanied by a CBD bath bomb. Again, it's important to note here that some skin conditions can come with symptoms like broken, bleeding, and cracked skin. Refrain from using CBD bath bombs on your skin if you are dealing with these symptoms. Indeed, you should probably refrain from putting most other bath products onto broken skin, so as not to exacerbate your condition. Finally, it's also a well-known fact that the mind can influence the body, and this is no different when it comes to the health of your skin. A potentially calming CBD bath may help to soothe your anxious thoughts and therefore to maintain, not worsen, the health of your skin.
CBD and sore muscles
Are you an avid gym-goer? Or maybe you prefer heading out on a long run to clear your head? No matter how you like to exercise, there's no getting away from the fact that it can be strenuous and cause you to experience sore and aching muscles. Some individuals like to create a recovery routine for themselves. Common acts of recovery can include holding ice packs onto your sore muscles, stretching, drinking plenty of water, resting, and massages. All of these acts can help to improve your soreness, however, many people are now incorporating CBD into their recovery routine. You can do this in many forms; for example, some people will apply a topical cream or drip a few drops of CBD oil into their protein shake. We here at VAAY think that it's high time you considered using CBD bath bombs! After all, a warm bath on its own is known to help to get your blood flowing and allow your muscles to truly relax. With the addition of CBD, and the warming ginger essence contained in the core of our CBD bath bomb, we can help to warm and relax you. Not only this, but after your intense exercise session, the beautiful lavender scent will help to make you smell fresh and clean once more. Why not combine your CBD bath with our CBD Sport Gel? You apply it to dry skin once or twice per day to supplement your recovery after an intense exercise session.
Sleep
Do you find that good quality sleep regularly alludes you? If so, then you are not alone. It seems our society, in general, is seriously sleep-deprived. It has been reported that 1 in 3 people are not getting enough sleep, and this can have absolutely awful consequences on all aspects of your daily life. Many different factors can cause this lack of sleep, for example: stress, over-work, technology, and unwanted loud noises (nobody likes those neighbours, right?) This can cause you to be in a horrible mood the next day, cause you to overeat, and suffer from a lack of concentration- no matter how much you try to focus on the task at hand.
A lack of sleep over a prolonged period of time can lead to much more serious issues like a less effective immune system, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is recommended to get eight hours of sleep per night for adults, and there are a range of things that you can try to help you get that shut-eye. For example, you could turn off all your technology an hour before bed and read, meditate, stop drinking a few hours before bed, or buy black-out curtains. It's all about creating a relaxing atmosphere and a solid bedtime routine that you can stick to. Your body understands routines every well, and a solid before-bed routine will help it understand when it's time to wind down. So, why not try adding CBD bath bombs to your nightly routine? There's research to suggest that CBD can help you to sleep, thanks to its potential calming properties, so combining it with a relaxing bath can only be a win-win! The next time you're feeling sleep deprived, we recommend that you give a CBD-infused bath a try.
Our top tips for the best CBD bath
Finally, let's cover some of our best tips to getting the most out of your CBD bath bomb experience.
Check the expiry date:
When you first purchase your CBD bath bomb, you will notice that there will be a use-by date on the packaging. Despite this, we would recommend using it during the first few weeks of purchase. This is because you want the fizz and scent to leave the maximum impact. There's nothing wrong with using it at a later date, however, but you want to be blown away by the stunning colours and smells that it has to offer.
The atmosphere:
If it's a calming bathing experience that you're searching for, then we recommend that you set the tone before your bath even begins. You can do this by dimming the bathroom lights (or forgoing them altogether), putting on a calming soundtrack, and surrounding yourself with candles. Why not try our hemp candle? Not only does this give off a lovely warm glow, but it also boasts the scents of cedarwood, lavender, geranium, and hemp- perfect for complementing the scent of our CBD bath bomb. It also looks classy and simple, making it the perfect addition to a shelf or table.
Top tip: don't let the candle burn for more than three hours at a time, and burn the candle until the pool of wax reaches the glass edge. This will allow your candle to last longer, meaning that you can create a mood of relaxation for longer- possibly over the course of multiple self-care evenings.
Make your own:
If you would prefer to make your own CBD bath bombs, then it's time to get crafty! You'll need to decide upon the shape of the bath bomb. Then it's over to you to do your research into what ingredients you would like to include. There are plenty of natural ingredients and oils you can use, like hemp, CBD, coconut, herbs, honey, and so much more! Get creative and enjoy taking the time out of your day to enhance your own self-care routine.
Bath time reading:
Why not take the time to catch up on your reading while you immerse yourself in a world of calm? This is the best time to focus on a book or magazine, as your mind is centred thanks to the calming and restful bathtime atmosphere. You'll be able to take everything in and not get distracted.
Ditch the tech:
Speaking of distractions, we would recommend that you leave your phone in another room. This way, you won't feel the temptation to reply to work emails or stressful messages.
Wake up:
If you’re aiming to take a bath to help energise and wake you up, then why not look for ingredients that give off a citrus scent? This can rejuvenate you and kick-start your day in the best way. What's more, some studies have indicated that CBD could help to supplement wakefulness. Therefore, this could lead to an improved level of concentration and focus for the rest of the day.
After exercise:
This is the prime time to run yourself a CBD-infused bath. The mix of CBD and the hot water may work synergistically to potentially soothe your aching and sore muscles. This, in turn, can also help you to drift off into a peaceful slumber once you are out of the bath.
Give the gift of CBD:
Why keep the joy of CBD bath bombs to yourself? We're sure that your loved ones will greatly appreciate this thoughtful gift, as it shows that you truly care about their wellbeing. This could be a homemade CBD bath bomb, or our luxurious premium CBD Lavender Bath Bomb.
There we have it – how to rest, relax, and revive your tired mind and body with CBD bath bombs. So, what's stopping you? An oasis of wellness and relaxation awaits you! Here at VAAY, we also offer you plenty of other CBD-infused products to calm you. For further information, check out our CBD shop.
