On a cold winter’s night in the festive season, find time for yourself with a piping hot scented bath.

Christmas might be the most wonderful time of the year but the busy schedule of family gatherings, food preparations and shopping for gifts can leave the best of us feeling a little depleted. To help make things a little easier to juggle, planning a few moments of self-care is essential and bathing has some impressive science-backed health and wellbeing benefits.

When the stress of Christmas gets too much, escaping for a bath can be a powerful ritual to calm the body and mind. Immersing yourself in warm water with bath foam or oils creates a peaceful environment and a chance to switch off from the activities of the day. “Studies suggest that warm baths can improve feelings of stress, and reduce fatigue as well as contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing,” says Dr Kerry Aston, a doctor and founder of The Movement Medic. To maximise time in the tub, create a spa-like environment with a fragrance that fills the room with a relaxing scent. Then, add a grounding fragrance to the bath with a comforting bath oil to calm the mind even further.

Whether you’ve been running around after children or carrying one too many heavy platters, the bath is the perfect place to ease any aches and pains with a muscle soak. Baths can provide relief from tension in the body whether it’s caused by physical exercise itself or general stress and tension. “Sinking into a tub of warm water offers gentle pressure on your skin and the optimum temperature of 40–45°C to soothe joint and muscle pain. This can be particularly helpful for people who are dealing with inflammation,” Dr Aston tells us.

Sleep is especially important during the winter months and the busy festive period when the chance of catching colds and viruses is even higher. “Quality sleep is vital to keep your immune system in top condition and help you fight off common coughs and colds,” Dr Aston explains. However, switching off at the end of the day when you’ve been busy isn’t always easy. If you’re looking to ensure a solid night’s sleep, having a pre-bed bath is an effective solution.

   
“A warm bath has been shown to help improve sleep quality with one study finding that those who bathe or shower one to two hours before bedtime not only fall asleep faster but also experience deeper and more restorative sleep,” Dr Aston describes. To add to the comfort, try adding a magnesium-enriched bath soak. To really enjoy that post-bath feeling, dry off with a fluffy towel and wrap yourself up in a snuggly robe before lighting a sleep-inducing candle in your bedroom and using a spritz of soothing pillow mist.

Building a bath into a daily routine can also help with health in the long term. While baths are no substitute for a good fitness regime, says Dr Aston: “A warm bath is a great addition to your wellness routine especially if you have reduced mobility which is limiting your exercise options. This is largely attributed to the concept of thermotherapy, a process which temporarily increases your core body temperature.”

This content was first published as part of a partnership with Telegraph Media Group and published on telegraph.co.uk