Water: The Most Natural Beauty Treatment

Aside from clean air, there is nothing our bodies need more than pure, clean water - and lots of it. We are in large part water. When we allow ourselves to dehydrate, we literally become less than our potential. Water keeps everything functioning smoothly and running well. Blood, sweat and tears - if it weren't for water, we'd just be creaking along.

There are always naysayers who declare that we do not need six to eight glasses of water a day, but they are simply wrong, and they are probably just cranky because they are not getting enough water. You don't have to get your water from water alone, though. Remember that fresh fruits and vegetables contain water. Herbal tea counts as water, non-carbonated and non-caffeinated drinks (like fruit juice) count as water. By keeping a bottle of purified water close at hand and enjoying water in all it's forms throughout the day, you are sure to get plenty of water. Don't ever let yourself become thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Your joints are already starting to creak, and your skin is already starting to dry out. Stay hydrated at each moment of every day.

You can also stay hydrated from the outside by taking a rejuvenating bath. Be sure to make your bath truly special with a lot of little extras like beautiful music, candles, incense, and a scent in the water. I like to use lavender essential oil because it is very relaxing. Shake about 20 drops under the running tap to fill the room with a relaxing scent.

You should make your bath the temperature that you like. I prefer a very hot bath, so that is what I will talk about. I always turn the water heater up as high as it will go about half an hour before my bath. I put on a CD of relaxing music, light a couple of candles and set up my bath. I make sure I have everything I need: soap, shampoo, facial cleanser, exfoliating gloves and so on, so I don't have to get out of the bath to get any thing!

I also prepare a purifying "tonic" drink to have while I am in the bath. Fill a large glass with ice. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Fill with Brita water. Set up your Brita pitcher with ice in the top and be sure the pitcher is full. Set the glass and pitcher in easy reach of the tub.

Once the water in the water heater is good and hot, I run a steamy hot bath. I get in while the water is still just a couple of inches deep so I can get used to the temperature. I just relax in the water until the tub is full. I sip my "tonic" then wash my hair and apply conditioner. I let the conditioner set while I scrub all over with a good, natural soap and exfoliating gloves. I take care of leg shaving at this time, too. I drink all of my "tonic" during this phase of my bath and refill my glass with ice and fresh water.

When I am ready, I drain the tub and relax while it is draining. I lie on my back with my legs straight up against the wall at the end of the tub. This is great for circulation. Once all the water is drained, I run fresh, cooler water into the tub. While it flows in, I do a little gentle yoga and stretching. I do this lying on my back in the cooler water to cool down before getting out of the tub. Just a few foot circles, point and flex, hip stretch, and then sit up to to a back stretch. This is nothing big or vigorous, just a way to transition from the total relaxation of the bath to the return to the real world. The cool down is very important, especially if you take a very hot bath as I do. You don't want to get dizzy and fall when you stand up!

Before getting out of the bath, I wash my face and neck with a medicated facial cleanser. Use your favorite facial cleanser to clean and moisturize your face after opening the pores with the hot water and scrubbing with your exfoliating gloves and soap. Rinse with cold water.

I use just a touch of leave-in conditioner on my hair before leaving the tub. I wrap my head in a towel to help the conditioner soak in and dry off with another towel. I splash witch hazel on my face followed by aloe vera gel and use walnut oil as an all over moisturizer. Soaking hydrates the skin and finishing up with oil seals in the moisture.

It is great to be able to just put on fresh jammies and go to bed or wrap up in a terry cloth robe and relax afterwards. This long, relaxing bath is a truly great way to wind down after a stressful day and give yourself a pampering, all-over, natural beauty treatment.

For more on water and natural beauty, you may enjoy:

DIY Natural Beauty
http://hubpages.com/hub/DIYNaturalBeauty

Advice on Creating Your Own Anti-Aging Program
http://www.advice.com/article.jsp?id=44804ffc4d4c4d65bcfe20acb5bea177

Dealing With Stress Through Gratitude: Learn to Choose Your Battles & Count Your Blessings
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1690828/dealing_with_stress_through_gratitude.html?cat=5

Advice On Gaining Health By Nurturing Your Self
http://advice.com/latest/article/2009/03/27/Advice+on+Gaining+Health+By+Nurturing+Your+Self