{"id":193,"date":"2024-12-31T15:58:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T15:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fathproperties.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/31\/stay-warm-and-cozy-this-winter-part-ii\/"},"modified":"2024-12-31T15:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T15:58:00","slug":"stay-warm-and-cozy-this-winter-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fathproperties.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/31\/stay-warm-and-cozy-this-winter-part-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay Warm And Cozy This Winter, Part II"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Stay Warm And Cozy This Winter, Part II<\/h1>\n

It’s January. Cold. Gloomy. Typically, it’s a quiet month without much to look forward to; the complete opposite of December. Spring seems a long way away. Did I mention the cold? Short days with – here in the Midwest – just 10 hours of daylight.  I don’t know about you, but my activity level is driven by sunshine. So, when my first winter living solo was particularly cold and dark (or maybe that was just my soul), I spent evenings living like a slug. Binge watching TV, eating popcorn for dinner, and drinking too much wine. In our “Stay Warm This Winter<\/a>” blog post, we provided tips to help keep your apartment warm and cozy. Today we’ll chat about keeping yourself (your soul) warm and cozy during the dark days of winter.<\/p>\n

Is there anything more warming than relaxing in a hot bath? As a matter of fact, there is. Adding Epsom salt to the bath. What is Epsom salt? It’s an ingredient used in a soak to treat minor aches and pains. It’s thought to soothe tired muscles and reduce swelling.<\/p>\n

As a medication administered intravenously, it can stave off premature birth and alleviate seizures caused by several conditions, including magnesium deficiency, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. The most popular use for Epsom salt is in baths. While there isn’t strong scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, many people say they feel relief for multiple symptoms by soaking in an Epsom salt bath.<\/p>\n

Let’s look at how you can use it.<\/p>\n

BATH SOAK<\/p>\n

Epsom salts<\/a> dissolve in water. Enthusiasts believe this allows magnesium and sulfates to be readily absorbed into skin. Whether this is sufficient for various treatments or not, Epsom salt is considered safe. It’s also easy to use, easy to find, and inexpensive.<\/p>\n

There really is no downside to taking a warm bath<\/a>, although it’s important to check with your doctor first if you have low blood pressure<\/a>. This is because hot water can temporarily lower blood pressure.<\/p>\n

The Mayo Clinic<\/a> recommends adults use 2 cups of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water. More than that can make the water feel slippery. It may also be drying to your skin.<\/p>\n

Lower concentrations you can try are:<\/p>\n

\n
• 300 grams (1.5 cups) of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water<\/li>\n
• 1 cup of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water<\/li>\n
• 2 cups of Epsom salt added to your bathtub of water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

   <\/p>\n

  Soak for at least 15 minutes. If you’re soaking in an Epsom salt bath for aches and pains, make sure not to use water that’s too hot. This might worsen instead of reducing swelling.<\/p>\n

  Other ways to use Epsom salt in a soak:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Create a detox bath<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  • Create a detox footbath<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  • Mix a foot soak<\/a> for general use.<\/li>\n
  • Use Epsom salt water in a compress for direct application to sore muscles.<\/li>\n
  • Shop for Epsom salts for your bath.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Many Epsom salt advocates believe the amount of magnesium able to enter the body through the skin is sufficient for reducing swelling and relieving aches. It’s also thought that Epsom salts are effective for soothing skin and reducing irritation and itching.<\/p>\n

    Epsom salt bath side effects<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

    When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe. If you’ve never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with magnesium sulfate and water first. Avoid submerging broken skin in an Epsom salt bath. Stop use if you experience:<\/p>\n

    \n
    • itchy skin<\/li>\n
    • allergic<\/a> reactions, like hives or rash<\/li>\n
    • skin infection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \nFOOT SOAK<\/p>\n

      Ultimate relaxation may be one of the most obvious health benefits of foot soaks, but research shows that soaking your feet in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes per day can do wonders for your mood, your energy level, your sleeping habits and any aches and pains that affect you — both in your feet and beyond.<\/p>\n

      To make use of the foot soak ideas below, be sure to have these basics:<\/p>\n

      \n
      • Tub<\/b>. For each soak, you’ll want a bathtub, a large, shallow washbasin, or foot tub.<\/li>\n
      • Towel<\/b>. Have a towel, bathmat, or drying cloth nearby, too.<\/li>\n
      • Time<\/b>. Soak for 15 to 60 minutes.<\/li>\n
      • Warm water<\/b>. Have some additional hot water available to freshen up the water if you’re not using a bathtub.<\/li>\n
      • Cool water<\/b>. Finish each foot soak with a cool water rinse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        For relaxation and aromatherapy<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

        When your ultimate goal is to relax and unwind, this recipe is just the ticket. According to a 2018 study<\/a>, adding essential oils to your soak may help to relieve stress and anxiety, and put you in a more positive state of mind.<\/p>\n

        Aromatherapy ingredients<\/b><\/p>\n

        \n
        • 2 tbsp. carrier oil<\/li>\n
        • 5–20 drops of essential oils of choice<\/li>\n
        • 2 cups of Epsom salt<\/li>\n
        • 1\/4 cup dried flowers, such as rose, chamomile, and lavender<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \nSteps for foot soak<\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
          • Mix the carrier and essential oils in a large bowl.<\/li>\n
          • Add in the other ingredients to create a mixture.<\/li>\n
          • Slowly dissolve the mixture into the tub of hot water.<\/li>\n
          • If you have any leftover, store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Consider a nice soak the next time the cold and gloom of winter threaten to dampen your spirits. Here’s to a warm, cozy, and relaxing season!<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            RESOURCES: Healthline, Mayo Clinic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Stay Warm And Cozy This Winter, Part II It’s January. Cold. Gloomy. Typically, it’s a quiet month without much to look forward to; the complete opposite of December. Spring seems a long way away. Did I mention the cold? Short days with – here in the Midwest – just 10 hours of daylight.  I… <\/p>\n

            Read More <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27857,"featured_media":192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,32,162,124],"tags":[46,6,8,154,9,10,11,44,159,141,163,153],"class_list":["post-193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apartment-living","category-health","category-self-care","category-winter","tag-apartment-living","tag-apartments","tag-cincinnati-apartments","tag-cozy-home","tag-dallas-apartments","tag-dayton-apartments","tag-fath-life","tag-fath-properties","tag-love-where-yo-live","tag-nky-apartments","tag-self-care","tag-stay-warm"],"metadata":{"_pingme":["1"],"_thumbnail_id":["192"],"_yoast_wpseo_title":["Stay Warm And Cozy This Winter, Part II"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Tips to keep yourself warm, cozy, and pampered during the dark days of winter."],"_yoast_wpseo_metakeywords":[""]},"yoast_head":"\n