The Foot Bath Ritual

Dear readers,

We wanted to share with you a ritual that’s common in the spa world—and that you can enjoy at home: a foot bath.

Did you know that the highest concentration of nerve endings in the body is found on the soles of the feet? This center of the autonomic nervous system is our point of contact with the ground; it supports our body and bears the shifts in our weight. This explains the importance of the foot-washing ritual in all traditions, as a way to relieve pain and promote relaxation.

Since ancient times, foot washing has been practiced around the world not only for its hygienic benefits, of course, but also for its relaxing and therapeutic effects. Still practiced in Asia, the Maghreb, and India, it has also been part of Western culture for several decades. In the spa industry, you’ll find foot baths included in certain specific rituals, such as the Japanese Bath ritual or the Ayurvedic ritual.

Why not try this at home? After a tough day of work, for example? Here are our tips and tricks to enjoy the benefits of this ritual:

• To relieve pain, such as circulation problems, soak your feet in cold water at about 15 °C for three minutes, then rinse with warm water. This will improve venous return, relieve tension, and boost your energy.

• Looking for total relaxation after prolonged physical exertion or a busy day at work? Treat yourself to a warm foot bath between 37°C and 42°C. This will help you relax and eliminate toxins. Finish by rinsing with lukewarm or slightly cool water for complete relaxation and improved blood circulation.

• If you’d like, you can add a few drops of essential oils to your foot bath, choosing different scents depending on the desired effect. Lavender, tiare flowers, and ylang-ylang for a “cocooning” effect, or eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemon for a more energizing effect.

• If your feet need it, use a scrub for your feet or a pumice stone to soften the calloused and dry areas.

• Feel free to finish your ritual by wiping your feet feet with a small towel moistened with warm water (oshibori). This ritual is very common at spas; the effect is soothing and relaxing.
• Finally, you can use a moisturizer and apply it by massaging the painful areas to relieve built-up tension.

Our products that are recommended, ethical, and natural

• For your pond, a few products we recommend here

• For your essential oils, we recommend DoTerra, a really great brand we discovered recently DoTerra
• To take care of your feet:
  – Scrubs from the Botaniclas brand or for those who love DIY, create your own scrub with We Are Thought
  – Pumice stone from the brand Beauty By Earth
  – Moisturizing balms from the brand Botanicals

Does that make you want to give it a try? Then don’t wait any longer—pamper your feet!