How to create those relaxing baths you keep seeing on Instagram

Follow these steps and before long you'll be luxuriating in warm, soapy suds, trying to remember why you ever felt so stressed in the first place. 

Inform the co-habitants

If there's one thing guaranteed to disturb the peace of your bath, it's your flatmate/ significant other/ spawn/ parent/ dog. Deliver a house-wide pre-bath briefing, then lock the damn door.

Ditch the phone

You may be tempted to use this time to respond to all those unanswered WhatsApps, or mindlessly scroll through social media, or challenge your best mate on the Scrabble app – but these are all terrible ideas. Mobile phones do not a relaxing bath make.

Prep the bevs

This is no time for self-restraint or moderation. Open the good bottle of wine you were saving for celebrations and/or emergencies (this is arguably both). Or go sans booze with a cup of herbal tea, a smoothie or a virgin cocktail. Whatever your tipple of choice, use the nicest glass you own.

Choose the entertainment

We know phones are off limits, but decide whether you'd like your favourite podcast, a book, some music or an audiobook to accompany you in the tub. Or just soak up the suds in serene silence.

Choose the best bath products

Finally, you need the right products to truly perfect the art that is the bath. Silky-soft shower gels, muscle-soothing salts, skin-smoothing oils, relaxing masks for hair and skin, fabulous foamers and of course, the very best at-home spa candles.

We also have a top tip from The Dorchester’s spa director, Sally Pedder. "Of all the fragrant essential oils Sally works with at the spa, she has one particular favourite, a comforting blend of rose, lavender and peppermint. She enthuses: “This glorious combination smells amazing and helps to soothe any skin irritations, relieve tension and improve energy levels – it’s a really great all-rounder. There’s nothing quite like a long bath at the end of the day. Sally says, “Bath infusions are a great way to relax, and you always feel wonderful afterwards. Simply add to your bath water to release all those wonderful aromas.”

Happy bathing.