Well, I did. In fact, it became something of a necessity for me. I constantly experimented with it 'til my personal bathing ritual was just perfect. Admittedly, I had a bit of help. I had had a serious relationship with a fellow from Japan while still at uni. It’s amusing to think that despite my (largely) Asiatic origins, compared to him, I was a total Westerner. It was through him that I was introduced to various aspects of his culture.
The one most pertinent for our purposes here: that of onsen – the Japanese bath. When a bath is filled, an entire family can bathe, using that water. Odd? Well, not when you consider that their baths are deeper and made of marble or denser material. The water stays hot for much longer than our baths.
But what about the filth, ugh! you’re probably asking. They’ve got that worked out, too. The bathroom is all tiled and has adequate drainage because you are expected to wash your hair and body thoroughly before actually settling to soak. Sheer genius, and no scum marks on the tub either!
I incorporated this pre-bath scrub-up into my decadent once-a-week bath, generally taken on Sunday evenings, the day before the working week, and right after a long music rehearsal. If I wanted to really spoil myself, I could apply a face mask, a hair mask, and use an exfoliating body scrub to make my skin all smooth, and also improve circulation.
I’ll be honest with you: at first, I was bored shitless in the bath. It was far too quiet. There was nothing to do (duh, that was the whole point, of course). Twenty minutes of this was enough for me. I kept with it, and refused to bring reading material with me. Besides, soggy books aren’t fun.
Then, something happened after about two months. The boredom just disappeared. I actually enjoyed the calm, the stillness. I took them really late at night when everyone was already in bed. I didn’t want to read, I just wanted to sit in the warm, scented water and let my mind empty itself. Just another reason to look forward to the end of the week.
So, did any of this actually work to help my initial ailment? My mother noticed that I seemed more peaceful, and less anxious. Friends goggled their eyes at my new-found obsession with bath products and at my cheerier disposition. Lovers enjoyed the smoothness of my skin (permit me that one sentence of too much information).
Without a doubt, my weekly bath helped me in several ways. As well as appearing happier and more positive, I also noticed that I engaged in a lot less self-destructive behaviour and thought. I grew more comfortable with my body, and that was no mean feat (if one considers that it physically sickened me to accidentally glimpse my naked reflection in the past, moving towards being comfortable with my body is a massive step forward).
Article comments
1 - Violet
I could not agree with you more. There are not many things that soothe me more than a bath. The enveloping warmth, that solitary moment. Bliss.
I do hope you can coax you're mum into having one some day, she won't look back!
2 - Snarkattack
Hi Violet, tell me about it. The poor woman works so damn hard, she could really do with the break, but all I hear is excuses...I'll keep working on it though.
In fact, I intend on having one myself tonight. I could do with a moment of bliss.
3 - Scott Butki
I tend to read while in the bath and try to take a warm bath 3 nites a week (I shower daily, for the record.)
The trick is in the reading selection. A newspaper, for example, is problematic. Believe me I've tried it.
Large books like Tom Clancy's are good to read if you want to work on strengthening your arm muscles.
Lately, though, I save articles I want to read with total concentration and place them next to
the tub.
Good piece.
4 - Mayank 'Austen' Singh
Ah, there are few more orgasmic pleasures in life than re-reading a Jane Austen or a Shakespeare in a bath tub filled with pleasantly hot water. It oozes out the exhaustion from the tired pores of the body, and fills them with a new rush of life-giving optimism. And how doubly soothing it is if the bath tub is shared with the naked naked companionship of a lover. Both of us re-reading two different books...and our bodies brushing off against each other from time to time......and when it becomes too much distracting, we make sweet nice familiar love and then again go back to our re-readings...till the next moment of desire.....aaahhh....
5 - Snarkattack
Hi Scott,
Thanks :)
I'm a total klutz - you wouldn't believe the amount of books I've partially destroyed when reading in the bath. Besides, I read so much I figure it wouldn't hurt too much to make bathtime word-free. Plus, I'm a bit too old to get away with reading those waterproof bath books. That'd look a little sad, I fear!
Ah yes, Mayank, sharing a bath with one's lover is indeed a treat! Though I've never read in the bath when I've company. There's the added benefit of having someone to lovingly scrub your back for you too. A bath can still be blissful without a companion, I do hope people will take note of that.
6 - larry
i am a great supporter of warm baths for soothing the soul. there is nothing more relaxing.. sometimes i fall asleep. unfortunally i have never had the pleasure of having a parner in the tub. when i get in a tub thereis no room for any one else,
7 - Snarkattack
Indeed Larry!
Baths are indeed soul-soothing!
Solitary baths are much more relaxing in a way, you don't have to worry about accidentally kicking so-and-so in a tender spot, or getting bathwater all over the place in an attempt to make room for your partner. The shared bath has its hazards!
8 - diana hartman
I am pleased to tell you this article is being featured in the Culture Focus today, August 15.
Diana Hartman
Culture Editor
9 - Snarkattack
Wow, thanks! I'm extremely flattered.