Fitness Swellness: Epsom salt baths

April 10, 2014

Taking an Epsom salt bath is one of those things I know I should do after a long run, but don’t. I have had a bag or two in my bathroom cupboard for ages, and yet I just never am motivated to — I just don’t take baths, and then the times I’d like to try the Epsom salt bath, well, it usually would call for a major bathroom cleaning first, and so it just doesn’t happen then.

But I may be converted after visiting Body Blitz the day after running Around the Bay. One of the pools in the circuit is an Epsom salt bath and I felt better on Tuesday (and could it have helped my iffy ankle feel better, too?).

What are Epsom salts and how do they help with muscles soreness? Epsom salt is magnesium sulphite and this mineral can be absorbed through the skin, and it can help relieve muscle soreness as it helps to flush lactic acid from your muscles, explains Carene Coulter, the spa director at Body Blitz. She adds that the warm water you bathe in also helps tight muscles to relax. While you can use an Epsom salt bath at any time to help relieve or prevent muscle soreness, she recommends them before going to bed the day of your workout.

Other benefits of Epsom salts? You can mix a pinch of salts with your everyday cleanser to gently exfoliate your skin for glowing skin. Ache-y feet? A foot bath with Epsom salts will soothe them, and the anti-inflammatory properties will help reduce swelling.

And I might need to start traveling with some Epsom salts in my carry-on: traveling can take its toll on the body (dehydration, exhaustion, and jet lag) and these salts have a sedative effect, so you can relax your body and get the restful sleep you need when away from home.

To do an Epsom salt bath at home, Coulter suggests drawing a warm bath and adding two cups of Epsom salts and allowing them to dissolve. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. “Then take a nice, cool shower to remove any salt residue, close the pores and stimulate circulation.”

Filed under: Fitness Swellness

Tags: bath, bathing, body blitz, epsom salt bath, epsom salts, how do epsom salt baths work