Showers Vs. Baths - Which is Better - We Decide

Some are shower people, some are bath people--and some of us just can't decide what we like better. There are lots of reasons why we love our showers, and just as many why we can't give up our baths. If you have trouble deciding which is better, read on! We've listed the most popular reasons why showers and baths are both so popular.

Why You Should Love Your Shower:

It saves water. It's true that showers use less water than baths. There are a few shower experts who will tell you that this depends on the amount of time you spend in the shower, as well as the showerhead you use. And yes, chances are that if you take very long showers and use a showerhead that's inefficient, you may use more water in your shower than in a bath, especially if you don't fill the tub the whole way. But most of the time, you will use less water in the shower. This in turn saves you money on your water and heating bill, and it's better for the environment as well.

It gets you cleaner. Showers do get you cleaner than baths--the dirty water goes down the drain instead of staying in the tub with you. However, that's not the only reason showers are cleaner. When you're in the bath, you tend to use a hotter water temperature than when you're in the shower. This is because you'll be sitting in the same bathwater for some time, and you don't want it to lose its heat. But when your body is hot, it sweats--even when you're in the water. So in a bath, you can sometimes get dirtier when you think you're getting clean. True clean-freaks tend to prefer showers to baths.

It makes you sound like a pop star. Who doesn't love to sing in the shower? For some reason, showers make us sound like pop stars. And belting out "I Am the Walrus" in the shower before work couldn't be better for your health--studies show that singing gives your brain a euphoric jolt that calms your nerves, gives you energy, and puts you in a good mood. So next time you want to sing in the shower, remember it's for your own good--and don't hold back!

It's quick. Sometimes you're in a hurry to get out the door, and that's when showers really shine. No waiting for the tub to fill--just turn on the faucet, jump in, soap up, rinse off, and you're done! Nothing beats a shower when you're late to work or about to miss your bus.

Why You Should Love Your Bath:

It's healthy. Showers are made for speed, but baths are made for relaxation. There's nothing more soothing than a nice, hot soak at the end of a long day. Taking a bath lowers your stress level, and gives you a chance to take a deep breath and put things in perspective. In addition, aromatherapy and medications can be added to a bath to boost your health. If you've got a cold, there's nothing better than a bath to clear congested lungs. Even breathing in the steam from a bath is healthy, and can soothe sore throats. A bathtub is definitely a must-have for any house.

It gets you nice and warm. The winter months can be long, cold, and dreary. When you've got a cold house, you'll appreciate a hot bath. Baths are simply warmer and cozier than showers. If you've got a chill, a long, hot bath is just the thing to warm you up--followed by a thick, soft robe and a cup of cocoa or tea.

It's romantic. Baths are just plain sexy--and the bathtub is the perfect place for an intimate rendezvous. There's something about a pool of warm, steaming water that makes us want romantic company. Light up your bathroom with candles, turn on some soft music, and don't forget the sexy soaps and lotions--and you're sure to have a romantic encounter you'll want to repeat over and over.

It's the perfect mini-vacation. The bathroom is the most private place in most people's homes. When you take a bath, you shut yourself away from the outside world--even if only for a little while. You can bring a book, a glass of wine, your favorite music, and let your thoughts wander--it's almost like going on a luxury vacation for half an hour. If you need time to yourself, time to think and relax, or time to read a good book and escape from the ordinary world, the bathtub is the perfect place to do it in.

So, which is better--showers or baths? It's a tough choice--there are so many reasons to love both. Showers are more practical, baths are more luxurious--and both are plenty of fun. We can't decide which we like better--so you'll have to make the choice for yourself!

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7 Essential Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a term that you are probably familiar with by now, especially with the many varieties of aromatherapy massage now popularly sold at leading salons and spas all over the world. However, what you may not have realized is that aromatherapy is an age-old practice that can be used at home to treat a number of common and even serious ailments.
Aromatherapy is a healing therapy that uses the essential oils of plants to soothe and treat countless illnesses. The first recorded use of essential oils was more than 6000 years ago as a staple of the Egyptian culture and healing system. Today, aromatherapy is becoming popular for providing the same benefits in our culture, with one of the most common uses being for relaxation and stress relief.
To get you started on your home aromatherapy treatment, here are the top seven benefits that you can expect from using aromatherapy:
1. Improved mood. Rosemary is an essential oil that has been proven to boost the mood and offer feelings of contentment. Even better, this essential oil provides a positive benefit in overall mood and performance by reducing the stress hormone cortisol in the body. At the very least, rosemary in aromatherapy can be used on a regular basis to relieve stress, induce relaxation, and prevent anxiety.
2. Get a better night's sleep! If you find yourself tossing and turning every night and even sleeping pills won't help you to relax, aromatherapy may be the answer that you have been looking for. Aromatherapy is quite helpful for treating sleep disorders, and it is one of the fastest growing alternative therapies in the Western world. The topical use of essential oils will stimulate the limbic system in the brain that controls emotion and mood, meaning that aromatherapy can effectively induce calm, relaxation, and a deep sleep so that you can wake up feeling refreshed.

3. Improve your complexion. Many aestheticians would agree that aromatherapy is a powerful tool to alleviate a number of skin conditions, especially dry and flaky skin. If dry and flaky skin is left untreated, it can cause premature wrinkling and signs of age. For this reason, aromatherapy is helpful to keep the skin youthful, moist, and balanced, and it will also improve even more serious conditions of the skin, like eczema and psoriasis. Many essential oils provide anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce dryness and irritation and calm red and rough skin.
4. Relieve chronic asthma. If you are having difficulty with constant wheezing and coughing caused by asthma, when used wisely and under professional care, aromatherapy can often free asthmatic lungs of irritation. Wheezing is caused by pushing air through swollen bronchial passages, which frequently results in an asthma attack. Professional aromatherapy treatment can provide asthma relief in between these attacks by rubbing anti-histamine and decongestant essential oils, like ginger and peppermint, directly on the chest.
5. Treat nausea and stomach problems. If you suffer with constant digestive issues, like stomach pain, intestinal gas, belching, and nausea, all of the above can be quickly relieved with aromatherapy. In fact, using essential oils for stomach issues in children is a helpful home remedy for any young kids who have difficulty swallowing medicine. Aromatherapy targets the first stage of digestion by signaling the brain that food is on the way to create the immediate response of flowing digestive juices to alleviate a number of stomach issues. Aromatherapy also provides the added benefit of relieving stress and anxiety overall, which is often the cause of nausea and a queasy stomach.
6. Reduce the symptoms of PMS. PMS is something that many women struggle with on a monthly basis, and it can often cause a series of emotional and physical problems. PMS symptoms vary individually from woman to woman, and if you have very severe symptoms around the time of your period, aromatherapy may be the perfect answer. It is helpful to take an aromatic bath or get a massage with essential oils to reduce symptoms like depression, mood swings, irritability, and even bloating and tenderness.
7. Get rid of a bladder infection. Bladder infections are more common than you may realize, especially in women. Fortunately, aromatherapy provides several essential oils to take care of this issue, such as sandalwood, chamomile, tea tree, and juniper berry. However, it is important to use trained aromatherapy techniques for this treatment because treating with too much juniper berry could cause irritation to the kidneys if administered incorrectly. A bladder infection can be quickly treated using aromatherapy by applying the essential oils in a compress over the bladder or taking an aromatherapy bath scented with essential oils.

As you can see, aromatherapy is a legitimate and effective alternative healing therapy. If you are struggling with any of the above issues and are sick of taking medications or using other forms of treatment, aromatherapy offers a gentle substitute that will alleviate numerous illnesses and concerns. Even more importantly, all of the benefits of using aromatherapy listed above are just the beginning since aromatherapy has been proven to treat countless physical and emotional issues!
It is highly important to have legitimate training for the use of aromatherapy since using some essential oils improperly could cause sickness or irritation. Perhaps the simplest way to benefit from aromatherapy is in the form of a massage or bath, which will also provide you with a multitude of relaxation benefits. If you are new to aromatherapy, you can first try out aromatherapy massage from a massage therapist, which will integrate specific essential oils to target any physical or emotional problems you may be struggling with. On top of that, you will receive the anti-stress benefits of massage to relax your muscles, improve circulation, and flush dangerous toxins from your body.
Aromatherapy is a versatile and user-friendly form of healing that offers a long list of home remedies to maintain your health without paying for expensive medications or doctor's visits! Additionally, aromatherapy will also give you the much needed stress relief that you have been looking for to relax and improve your health from the inside out.

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