bathing

Ever since I can remember I have bathed when I was sick, felt sad, felt upset, felt weary, depressed, or have been in pain. I would say I have spent A LOT of time in the tub. I’m an adult mother of 4 and I have multiple diagnosis. UC (IBD), IBS, Dyspepsia, BPD, chronic pain, carpal tunnel, chronic migraine (made worse my certain meds), arthritis. I really try to limit what medications I have to take because then you end up taking other meds to offset the side effects of the original meds. It’s all quite obnoxious. I am a firm believer in whole body wellness. Therapy, Psychiatry care, proper diet, & using coping skills. Due to my chronic fatigue & chronic pain I stretch everyday at the very least for exercise. Plus, I currently live in Arizona https://a.k.a Satan’s Crotch & I can’t ride my bike in the heat. One of my go to stress & pain relievers is a nice epsom salt bath with Dr. Teals lavender or eucalyptus bubble bath; body wash. Idk what it is but as long as I am soaking in the tub with the door locked I feel like I am in a more calm & much more peaceful state. I regularly use this as one of my methods for self care. Idk why I feel at such peace in the hot water with the smell of the Dr. Teals but, I am so thankful that even for a little while I have my own sense of peace & calm. If I’ve had a particularly hard day with my kids, & I need a mental/emotional time out I will have a nice bath too. Watch a movie or a show & shut out the world for the time I am in the tub. Very rarely in my life have I ever felt at peace like I do when I’m in the tub. It’s one of the very few things that help me feel like my old self again. The person I was before I became chronically ill. I feel thankful that if anything, I can still have my bath time, & my peace. (Sorry for any typos)