Stress is common -- perhaps too common. Being stressed out is almost a chronic condition among a large portion of the population.
Stress needs to be handled as it comes, or else it can cause serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, there are many ways that stress can be easily managed and reduced. One time-tested method for relieving stress is soaking in a hot bath. This relaxing ritual can be made even more relaxing through the use of bath salts: salt crystals that dissolve in water and enhance the bath experience.
Bath salts can promote restful sleep, especially those made from natural ingredients like sea salt crystals and calming essential oils. Sea salts contain calcium and magnesium, both of which help prevent insomnia. Magnesium especially calms the nervous system. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile and clary sage are often added to bath salts for their scent and helpful health properties, which include calming the mind and body, and inducing sleep.
Using bath salts before you go to bed will reduce stress in two ways. First, the pleasant scent will help you feel calm and relaxed, and the warm bath water will relieve muscle tension. Second, these effects will allow you to sleep better, and the more restful your sleep, the less stressed out you will feel.
Bath salts also improve circulation, thereby reducing tension and relieving muscle aches. Rheumatoid arthritis responds well to soaks using bath salts because of the minerals they contain, including zinc and manganese, both of which are important for the health of your joints.
Bathing in sea-salt water will allow these minerals to absorb into your skin, providing your body with their benefits. Plus, chronic physical pain, even if it's mild in nature, can produce stress. So, a reduction in physical pain can certainly reduce stress levels, as well.