Outdoor Bathing has become a bit of a trend and it’s worth giving this some credence. Of course, some may say having a bath outdoors is a bit bonkers but in actual fact, the health benefits are huge.
A dip in cold water gets the blood pumping, improves circulations, improves sleep, metabolism and boosts the immune system. Bathing rituals help create a pathway to relaxation, your brain starts to destress when the senses are engaged.
We’ll show you how to light your way to wellbeing.
The below image shows hot running water – much more my style!
Image of The Hudnalls Hideout, credit to @itsjonnykeeley
Doctors suggest connecting with nature to combat depression and stress. There’s been multiple experiments and assessments to ascertain why moods are boosted. The Japanese practice forest bathing. This is where you bathe in a forest, being deep within nature itself. This practice is called Shinrin-Yoku, Shinrin meaning forrest and Yoku means bath.
This is not a hot tub experience! It’s more rustic more connected to the natural world. In a world where nature is valued more and the appreciation of the depleting world’s resources, why heat the water indoors when you can benefit from a cold dip outdoors? We’ve gone sustainable. Sustainable lighting is a personal passion, especially now solar lighting is so good.
How to create an outdoor bathing space.
If you love the idea of relaxing in an outdoor tub under the stars, here’s a few tips to get your outdoors ready for a bathing ritual. Before we jump right in, it’s important to say this is not outdoor swimming, nor is it exercise. It’s disconnecting from stress.
The sensory experience of connecting sight, sound, taste, smell and touch to get you to a happy state. We are talking self-care. It’s a lone experience, but you could always be alone together. Perhaps choose not to go with a chatty person, as you’ll want to hear the breeze, rustling of leaves and birdsong and allow yourself to experience all the sensory delights that offers.
Scentscaping is a popular phrase for using scents to help zone areas of the home into moods.
Pick the Right Spot
If you possibly can opt for a location near trees, this is ideal. If not, create as naturalistic a setting as you can (not all of us live on a 12 acre estate!). You can always have large shrubs and greenery, be that a tropical look or against a private hedge.
Image courtesy of Ursa Bear Cabin
On the subject of trees, did you know that we pay to plant a tree for every new email subscriber that we receive? Teaming up with Eden Reforestation Projects, we are helping combat the effects of deforestation around the world. Have a read of our sustainability statement and our pledge to cause as little harm to our planet as possible.
Why not sign up to our newsletter and have a tree planted for you? We keep you up to date with all the latest trends and offer advance notice of any sales and promotions we’ll be running. Anyway, back to outdoor bathing…
Choose a tub.
Outdoor baths come in various shapes and sizes. On a TV programme, I saw a wheellie bin used as a makeshift ice-bath, whilst amusing, there are a few more aesthetically pleasing options.
If you like the rustic look an old barrel, boat, cattle trough, wooden bath or an iron bath would all fit well.
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Personally I prefer my water warm, but I guess there are ways of heating water with solar or even filling a tub early on a hot day and allowing the sun to warm the water.
Solar is a popular for heating water, solar is also perfect for lighting area’s away from the home where there’s no electric.
Image courtesy of Ursa Bear Cabin
On the subject of exterior lighting, it’s important that you remember to have an IP rating of 44 or more to keep your electrics dry.
Some people prefer the canibal pot style of heating. This is when you light a fire under a metal tub and wait for it to heat. You’d leave the fire alight whilst in the bath, let it burn down so you get a slow simmer rather than boil. Have water close by incase you need to put the fire out in a rush. we’d further suggest a wooden board to sit on, it may prove useful to stop any potential hot-spots.
Feeling hot, hot, hot! That’s the wrong vibe for relaxing, may we suggest an alternative soundscape for your listening and relaxing pleasure. Curious by the word soundscape it’s simply like a mixed tape or playlist.
Make it Private
If you are taking your clothes off the aforementioned hedge should be in a private location not on the front lawn (decency darling, there are laws against be naked in public!). Screen the area off with natural screens like bamboo, willow or a hedge would be perfect. If not, a wooden fence works too, as too does a gazebo with a curtained or fenced side walls
Create Ambience
Most of us prefer to bathe outside under the cover of darkness but some level of light adds to the ambience but keep this a low level. Gentle soft pockets of light bring a warming glow. We’d suggest keeping things simple as quick ways to add light will get your garden project done sooner.
Opt for solar lighting, faux candles which are battery powered. These still give the flicker effect of candle light but without the flame. If you enjoy real flames, it’s best to take care, perhaps use storm lanterns to contain the flame. Firepits are also a lovely warm glow and it’s delightful to stare into the flame and be alone in your thoughts.
If, of course, you’ve got the ability to add an electric outside light, consider the brightness of bulb you use you don’t want to floodlight the area. Consider these flame effect light bulbs they are mesmerising.
Get in the right mood.
Image courtesy of Ursa Bear Cabin
Don’t simply jump in. Get in the right frame of mind maybe, yoga, t’ai chi, breathing exercises or a light ramble may be a nice start to your path to distressing.
There you have it – everything you need to bathe outdoors. Oh, except for maybe a towel and a cosy throw for after you emerge, refreshed and invigorated from the bath.