self-care tip: foot baths

I had a stressful week a few months ago. I can’t even remember now what was going on, but I was very frazzled. A friend told me to soak my feet for fifteen minutes. I didn’t really listen at first because whatever my problems were, I knew they weren’t that big of a deal (hence the fact that I can’t even remember them now), but for some reason, I did it anyway. And it was magical. I ordered myself one of these because I was using a big bowl that I also prep food in and that seemed like a bad and gross idea. I enjoy baths, but our only bathtub is now also the kids’ bathtub, which means, every time I want to take a bath, I seem to get distracted by cleaning the thing first (they’re gross, and I remembering to clean the bath tub is not my strong suit).

BUT I have found a 15ish-minute foot soak has nearly the same benefits of the bath but with less stress and prep (#winning). Since it doesn’t take as long, I find that I do them more often. I make a detox bath soak blend based on this recipe. I quadruple the batch, mix the following in a big ziploc bag, and then add the ACV and an essential oil* directly to the water right before I put my feet in.

1 cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
1 cup Epsom salt (benefits here)
1 cup baking soda

I keep the dry stuff in a large plastic bag or jar, and then use about 1/3 cup of the mixture per each foot bath. To the hot water (I just use my tea kettle), I add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and several drops of an essential oil. Lately, I have been obsessed with Plant Therapy’s vetiver essential oil lately. It is supposedly very grounding, and I have found that to be true – because usually when I am feeling like I could use a foot bath, I’m feeling a little anxious or stressed about my to do list and desperately needing some grounding.  I also love lavender and peppermint, but feel free to experiment on your own or leave them out.

It is difficult for me to sit still, so this a good practice, especially during those busy weeks when I tell myself I would be better off actually DOING something versus sitting in my room soaking my feet for fifteen minutes. But it is very relaxing and rejuvenating, and I find that I have more energy and patience reserves after gifting that time to myself. Try it for yourself to add to your self-care bag of tricks!