Friday, May 23, 2014

Fitness Friday - Private Spa

Top athletes will submit to a post work out soak in a tub filled with cold water.
 

During strenuous 2-A-Days my football players will add ice to the tub!  Brrrrrrr….not my thing!


A friend told me about a different kind of soak that works on aching muscles from a work out as well as a good detox.  Basically, a spa treatment in your own bathroom.

Draw a bath, as hot as you can stand.  
Add 1-2 cup of Epsom salts, 5-10 drops of lavender or peppermint oil, and just before you get into the water add a 1-2 cups of baking soda. Have a bottle of water handy to drink from. A 20 minute soak is great for muscles!  

I did this and felt like I could run a mile after. She explained the Epsom salts contain magnesium that is absorbed into your body to ease pain and inflammation. The salt and heat of the water draw out toxins while the baking soda neutralizes said toxins so they won’t return to your body.  As for the scented oil… that’s a bit of aroma therapy to relax your mind and soul.
 
If you have a cold, flu or some sort of but try a complete detox.  Add 1 tsp -1/3 cup of ground ginger or ginger tea. Try mixing lavender with some eucalyptus essential oil and add some drops to the bath. Be sure to have a drink handy.  Soak for up to 40 minutes.

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