Imagine yourself floating in a warm, aromatic cup of tea, breathing in the essences of healing herbs and letting them wash over your skin. Your bath tub can easily be transformed into a giant teacup and your bathroom can be transformed into an oasis of relaxation, a place you go for healing, retreat and rest. Make it your private place that takes you away from the hectic side of your life. It can be magical if you lend it the power to transform and make you whole again:

A bath not only relaxes you, but also serves the basic function of cleansing you. So adopting a bath-time regimen that includes cleansing, exfoliating and moisturing, that keeps your skin healthy and allows much- needed downtime in an otherwise stressful life. A soothing soak is pure pleasure. It is a gentle way to start your day. Make sure your bath time is a time of solitude, no interruptions allowed. The bathroom becomes your personal property at least the next 30 minutes. Put down your to do lists and let yourself luxuriate in this watery retreat. And put a ‘do not disturb’ sign out.

Tub tea: To create your tub tea, all you have to do is make tea bags by placing a bunch of herbs in a large square of muslin tied in a pouch with a ribbon. Using old stockings works too. After you’ve filled your bag with herbs, place it in your bath as the tub is filling with water and squeeze it a couple of times to let the herb juices flow. For an extra treat, add a cup of bath salts and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar directly to the bathwater. The combination is nourishing for your skin.

The latte chica: Cleopatra knew well the therapeutic properties of milk and regularly filled her swan shaped tub with camel milk to ensure that her skin remained soft and supple. A few drops of almond oil can be added for extra softening. If you want, use a loofah to exfoliate dead skin. Creamy, glowing skin is the result.

Other spa tricks: If you did nothing but lie back and luxuriate in your tub, you’d still be doing plenty to promote relaxation. If however, you want to do more, here are some delightful ways to relax your body:

• Scrubbing your body with sponges and brushes in warm water is an invigorating way to stimulate circulation, remove dead skin cells and leave your skin healthy, soft and vibrant.
• The skin around your eyes tends to reveal your exhaustion. Therefore, for your eyes, place a cold slice of cucumber on each eye, and rest for 30 minutes. You can also use grating potato.
• For the rest of legs and neck, use towels that can be used to support your legs and lower back and to enhance relaxation as you bathe.