When was the last time you took a bath? For most of us, jumping in the shower is something we treat as a chore, not something we look forward to. But bathing can be something else entirely. If you approach it with intentionality, taking a bath can become an elevated ritual that gives you space to unwind both physically and mentally. Not everyone is into meditating—but anyone can run a hot bath and use it as an opportunity to reset, turn off your brain, and nourish yourself.
How to Craft a Bathing Ritual
If you don’t identify as a bath person (or maybe you consider yourself “bath curious”), Shannon Davenport, founder of Esker, is on a mission to get more people into bathing. “You don’t know what you’re missing,” she says.
With a background in trend forecasting, aromatherapy, and natural beauty, Davenport is well-versed in how sensory experiences can promote self-care. After spending years in the hustle and bustle of New York City, she treasured the small moments she had to herself and realized that a bath made all the difference to her mood and wellbeing. Read on to get her best bath secrets and relaxing bath ideas.
Shannon Davenport
Shannon Davenport is the founder of Esker, a brand dedicated to making bathing and self-care rituals effortless, effective, and deeply restorative. Before launching Esker, she worked as a trend forecaster, giving her a sharp eye for consumer behavior, ingredient innovation, and the future of self-care. Seeing a growing need for elevated, ingredient-forward bathing rituals, she created Esker to help people integrate these wellness practices into their daily lives. As a busy mom, she believes baths aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity—and she’s on a mission to bring the power of bathing to more people through intentional, results-driven products.
Embrace the Ancient Ritual of Bathing
Bathing, she says, is an ancient practice—from Japanese onsens to Turkish hammams and Roman bathhouses. The act of bathing isn’t just about getting clean, but about creating intentional space for yourself. To get the most out of a bathing ritual, it’s not just about running a hot bath and sitting in it. It’s about learning the feeling of being still in your body, all while receiving the health benefits.
“Immersing your body in warm water for as little as 20 minutes has all of these health benefits,” says Shannon. “You fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer or sleep more solidly. It’s good for hair growth. It’s good for your brain, for serotonin levels. It promotes circulation. You can actually burn up to 120 calories in the bath from the hot water, from sweating.”
To get the most out of a bathing ritual, it’s not just about running a hot bath and sitting in it. It’s about learning the feeling of being still in your body, all while receiving the health benefits.
And that’s before you add anything to your bath water or embrace anything else as part of your bath ritual. While I love a good sauna-cold plunge, Davenport reminds us that we don’t have to go to extremes to get the benefits of temperature therapy. Just immersing yourself in a hot bath can do the trick.
By founding Esker, Davenport sought to create products that enhance and support the art of bathing. Below, she provides inspiring tips for creating your own bathing ritual to make it mentally and physically restorative.
Relaxing Bath Ideas for Your Next Soak
So now you have your intention—an affirmation or just a timer set and the resolve to chill out—now what? Here’s what Davenport recommends for the most restorative bathing ritual:
Set the Atmosphere
Your surroundings impact your ability to unwind. Dim the lights, light candles, or use soft lighting to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Don’t overthink it. You don’t want to make it so complex you avoid doing it. Make it something to look forward to, like your own relaxing spa.
Incorporate Aromatherapy
Davenport’s first foray into wellness was a certification in aromatherapy, which she anchors in its ancient roots. It’s a “time tested way of caring for yourself,” she says. “It’s just another way of working with plants.”
Essential oils are a good way to incorporate aromatherapy into your ritual. Lavender promotes relaxation, eucalyptus clears the sinuses and refreshes the senses, and rosemary helps improve circulation and mental clarity.
Bring a Beverage
This is Shannon’s favorite tip. “I always say, bring a beverage tubside—preferably water or ice water. You could also, if you want to, have tea or even wine…something to sip on is really helpful.” Hydration is key, and bringing in a drink is another thing to look forward to in the bath.
If you’re bathing before bed, try a sleepy girl mocktail or “sexy water” to stack your wellness habits and prime yourself for beauty sleep.
Prepare Your Skin
Dry brushing before bathing stimulates circulation and exfoliates dead skin cells, making it an excellent step for improving skin health. To maximize these benefits, a gentle body scrub or body oil post-bath will lock in moisture.
Use Quality Bathing Products
Elevate your bath routine with nourishing products like body oils, bath salts, or botanical-infused bath milks. These add therapeutic properties to your experience while also having benefits for your skin.
Take Your Time
“Maybe some people don’t like baths because they aren’t used to spending time with themselves,” says Davenport. If you don’t make the time to connect with yourself, your life will feel out of alignment. Take time in the bath to look within or do something that’s just for you.
Read a book, watch the latest TV show everyone is raving about, scroll on Pinterest, read the Substacks you’ve been saving for later. Let yourself sit in the bath for as long as you need, and create a ritual that lets you connect with yourself and be present.
Post-Bath Care
Seal moisture with a hydrating body oil or lotion. Also, consider using a tool to maximize the lymphatic drainage and skin benefits like exfoliation.
A Relaxing Bath is Always Worth It
Bathing might seem indulgent or inconvenient, but by cultivating a bathing ritual, you can use it as a wellness tool that reconnects you with your body while boosting your health. Whether you soak in hot water for 20 minutes, or luxuriate in a bath full of oils and essential oils for hours, taking the time to intentionally immerse yourself in warm water grants permission to put yourself first.
For those new to bathing as a ritual, start small. Draw a bath, set an intention, and allow yourself to be fully present in the moment. With each bath, you’ll discover new ways to enhance the experience and create a practice that is uniquely yours.
