Achy bones and a tight back are symptoms of what we all may call fatigue. But when you combine your everyday common fatigue with pregnancy, you enter a new realm of tired, sore, and straight up uncomfortable. It is hard to even figure out what can help when you are in so much pain and are so tired, your pregnancy can seem endless. We’ve all been there!
I want to discuss one aspect of my relaxation routine, and that is Epsom salt soaks. A long hot bath with a cup of Epsom salt works wonders for my stress headaches, lower back pains, and upper shoulder tension. As long as you do not ingest any of the bath water, it is a perfectly safe method for pregnant women to relax and destress.
Epsom salt has been used for years to treat a variety of ailments including muscle soreness from over-exertion to stress related muscle spasms. It is affordable, easy to figure out, quick to prepare, and extremely effective when used properly.
Epsom salt works its mysterious ways quite clearly. The salt part of Epsom salt is not real table salt at all. It was originally names for a bitter water spring at Epsom in Surrey, England and is one of the naturally occurring mineral salts.
When dissolved in water, the salt compound releases magnesium and sulfate. When these particles are absorbed into your skin, the magnesium and sulfates play a large role in loosening your muscles. The salt will help the muscles surrounding your shoulder, neck, back, and skull and is known to help relieve tension headaches or migraines.
Epsom salt helps stabilize your mood, relieve stress, and a variety of mood imbalances. Some researchers claim that the magnesium present in Epsom salt helps increase serotonin production in the brain.
Contrary to public belief, although soaking in an Epsom salt bath for an hour is pleasurable, it is not needed to retain the full benefits of the Epsom salt. If you place 300 grams of Epsom salt into a bathtub filled with water, in as short as 15 minutes you will begin to feel the mental and physical benefits of Epsom salt.
Another added benefit to Epsom salt soaks is that it helps stave off constipation brought on by hemorrhoids. While common in pregnancy, hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable and irritating. Soaking in a warm bath can help relieve some of the hemorrhoid symptoms and the anti-inflammatory properties of Epsom salts an help shrink the veins.
The magnesium in Epsom salt has multiple benefits, also aiding in soothing skin. As your baby grows, your skin struggles to keep up and is often stretched tightly. For some women, the stretching can result in a highly irritating itching sensation. The soothing qualities of the Epsom salt help calm the skin so the itching is relieved.
However, it is important to note, if you have an open, scab, or wound, or suffer from a skin condition, always contact your primary care physician before using Epsom salt. Additionally, it is also just as important to purchase your Epsom salt from a reputable source as many deals online that seem too good to be true are too good to be true. Make sure the seller can fully guarantee the quality of the Epsom salt.
