That is the question...and for those that refute a bath, another piece of science. Over the years I have learned there are two camps of people: bathers and those that think taking a bath is disgusting and would rather shower away their filth as opposed to sit in it. This next bit is for the shower lover in you. Taking a shower affects body chemistry by changing the electrical charge of your body’s ions, increasing the “feel good” negative ions. By increasing the negative ions we can lower the number of positive, serotonin producing ions. Apparently, emotional stress produces serotonin, which according to Dr. Irving Oyle, is the “ultimate downer”.

In this report,  Role of Ions in Body Chemistry there is an analogous connection between rainfall and taking a shower.

“..a shower will re-ionise and has a tonic effect on the body, just like rainwater which clears the air.”

I think most people can attest to feeling better after showering or standing under a waterfall or walking in the rain; the thrill of getting splattered on is enough but now you really know why. Moving water creates negative (positive for us) ions. Good thing I splash around in the tub and take an occasional shower.

Next time: Hot Springs, Onsen, and The Cold Plunge.

Pulling from the mental archives all the musings, philosophy, and travel behind the creation of Monsoon Nectar Skin Care, I collectively call these ideas, experiences, and lifestyle choices, Bath Culture.

For whatever aches and ails a hot bath awaits.

My first post does not start at the beginning but rather with the inspiration of last week channeled into the inspiration of today. And so it will continue that way until there is no more inspiration.

I love to be enveloped by water. I’ll swim in a pool, a river or a lake, the ocean or a natural hot spring. jacuzzi are great, but a simple bath tub is just fine. My body just wants to get in that healing water! I swim in salt water pools and soak in hot tubs with ionizing filters. I make sure the springs I go to are really hot and not tepid breeding grounds (I learned about that the hard way), and I use a Bath Ball filter at home. Last week I stopped off in T or C  where the spring water is renowned for its mineral content and hot temperatures, took a soak, and was on my way in an hour. A few days later my cousins and I were whiling away the hot summer days in Albuquerque and we decided to go the river, yes, the Rio Grande. I had swam in the river years ago but this time I asked about the cleanliness of the water. My cousin brought up the Ganges, and all the people who get in, as rational that we would be okay. He also figured going to a part of the river above Intel wouldn’t hurt. The monsoon had brought the afternoon rains, so we went mid-day which was their usual time. The river was high and fresh from the rain the day before. The current was just enough to entertain our plan to get in, float down, get out, and walk back up the trail to get in and do it again. Wearing socks and tennis shoes, long shorts and a t-shirt, this was the stuff of my childhood, revisited on national “cousins’ week” no less. They say it is the simple things in life that bring the most pleasure and taking a bath is one of my simple pleasures, even if I have all of my clothes on.

As refreshing as it was, I do prefer my water hot! In the tropics a refreshing swim is great but it is the heat that takes me places, mentally, spiritually, and physically.  I know it is good for me by how good it makes me feel. Shower if you must, but I bathe. I feel that bathing opens the skin and cleans it more thoroughly. The heat is so relaxing. I could never take a shower long enough to get the same effects of a bath. Morning and night, I find it is the best way to greet my solar day and the best way to meet my lunar night and this is where Monsoon Nectar comes into my story.

Monsoon Nectar is a 100% organic and natural skin care line that I developed to customize and enhance the personal experience of bathing. I love to envelope my skin in essential oils (E.O.’s) and botanicals. After bathing, when the skin is most absorbent, is the best time to apply the immune boosting, skin conditioning, moisturizing, and repairing Nectars. Non-greasy these formulas drive into the skin and work on the cellular level to repair and protect. As an esthetician I made Monsoon Nectar for estheticians and at-home use. Ten years ago, awareness about essential oils was growing and I wanted to create natural, cosmeceutical grade products that gave people the most value and benefit for their efforts. More than just lavender in a carrier oil, my formulations are intricate but simple to use; formulated for potency and efficacy targeting anti-aging and maintaining healthy skin. Monsoon Nectar is part of a lifestyle that reflects the cultural shift of Bio-Consciousness; using organic and natural ingredients, reusable/recyclable, low impact packaging, cruelty free, and delivering powerful health benefits through the largest organ of our body – the skin.

Morning and night, I bring ritual into my life with Monsoon Nectar. Inter-related with bathing, moisturizing the skin is part of health and hygiene. A hydrated cell is a defensive, healthy cell. Not just routine, the symbolism of the bath parallels physically getting clean with mental and spiritual purification. Baptism comes to mind and then, of course, the Ganges with the Hindu celebration of avatarana. Derived from the Greek noun babtismos, meaning washing, different faiths attach varied meanings to this act but the common ground is in the symbolism of spiritual purification, which is a beautiful concept to bring into your daily ritual. This also gives new meaning to a summer float down the Rio Grand.