"I don't believe in baptism, or the waters of the Jordan, or any of that, but I believe I have the same feelings for hot baths that believers have for holy water," wrote American author Sylvia Plath in her novel The Bell of Distress. While personal beliefs vary, emerging research suggests hot baths offer significant mood-boosting benefits. A study from the University of Freiburg, published in New Scientist, found that evening hot baths improved mood in people with depression more effectively than physical exercise.
To test this, researchers recruited 45 individuals with depression for an eight-week experiment. Participants alternated two evenings a week between two options: immersing in a 40°C bath for 30 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of relaxation wrapped in a blanket while sipping hot water; or engaging in 40-45 minutes of physical exercise. At the end, those who chose baths reported greater improvements in well-being.
The key lies in the body's circadian rhythm, often disrupted in depression. Raising body temperature via hot baths helps realign this rhythm, enhancing sleep quality—a proven mood regulator. Next time you're feeling low, consider drawing a warm bath, adding a bath bomb, lighting a candle, and letting the warmth work its restorative magic.
