A Recipe for Wellness: A Look Into Bathing Therapies

The term “wellness” has become inextricably linked to the concept of interior design – an acknowledgement that good design will lead to a greater experience for the inhabitants of the space. And it’s no secret that this wellness concept gets thrown around at all levels of the industry, from manufacturers down to the end user. But there can be a lack of understanding of how integral certain elements of a space can be to enhance both the physical and mental interactions between product and user.

There is perhaps no better example of such than the bath, and the ample therapies that are now offered in the bathing sphere. Manufacturers have come to realize that the days of one-and-done features with bath tubs are over, signaling an understanding that both designers and end users are looking for ways to level up their bathing experiences. Acknowledging that when it comes to taking a bath, the mind-body connection is vital to increasing one’s wellness.

Brands are now designing tubs that not only have a pleasing look to them, standing out as the statement piece of the bathroom, but also offering a myriad of different add-on therapies that takes that statement piece to a whole new level. The thing about wellness and bathing therapies is that there is an ideal recipe for every user. There is no glass ceiling on “feeling good” and no threshold to be reached where someone says, “It can’t possibly get any better than this.” And similarly, there are so many combinations of therapies that can be added to a tub these days to help unlock a greater user experience.

Hydro-therapies such as jets, air baths, and whirlpools have been around for decades. And long gone are the days in which unsanitary systems are commonplace. Any showroom brand bath tub company has invested the time and technology in developing the most sanitary and safe bathing conditions for their users, ensuring that health is at the forefront. This investment has also led to a better understanding of the physical benefits brought on by these therapies. Blood circulation issues, skin conditions such as eczema, muscle aches, joint pain, and other wellness concerns can be soothed simply by finding the right recipe of therapy for the user, based on their lifestyle and physicality. But beyond hydro-therapies, there is a list of other options that take the holistic approach to wellness to another level. Additions like audio-therapy (introducing sound into the bath), chromo-therapy (the use of light and color), sensory therapies (like added heat retention), the sound of water (hydro ASMR, anyone?), aromatherapy (with the use of essential oils, e.g.) – and even the touch and feel of the tub itself – all play key roles in bringing about a more fulfilling bathing experience. 

Brands and users alike are recognizing that the investment in self and wellness take the forefront of the bath. Submerging oneself in water is integral to our human experience and has been a practice as long as our history itself. Tailoring this activity using these therapies facilitates a return to being present in one’s body and absorbing the natural benefits bestowed from such a healing element.