Men's Health - UK (2019-07)

Wash away the symptoms of

depression with a post-workout

bath. It’s the simplest way to

keep your head above water

A

sip of cold beer on a

scorching afternoon,

turning off your alarm

at the weekend, sinking

into a hot bath after tough training

• each elicits the same blissful
  exhalation. But while the first
  two offer only temporary relief,
  regular bathing can help you
  achieve lasting happiness.
  A study by the University
  of Freiburg in Germany
  found that taking a hot bath
  twice a week produced a
  greater, more persistent mood
  lift in sufferers of depression
  than biweekly aerobic exercise
  classes, which is particularly
  impressive, given that exercise
  is already recommended as
  a therapy for the condition.

THE BARE

ESSENTIALS

Upgrade your bath with

scented oils. Science suggests

that they’ll make reaching

your goals a slicker process

Over eight weeks, the study’s

participants bathed in water heated

to 40°C for 30 minutes, then spent

a further 20 minutes wrapped in

warm blankets. Researchers believe

that by raising your core body

temperature, hot baths reinforce

the natural fluctuations of your

circadian rhythm. This rhythm is

typically disrupted in those with

depressive symptoms, leading

to restless nights, which only

exacerbate their struggles.

But the benefits go beyond

improved sleep. Scientists have

also suggested that baths may have

a more direct impact by instructing

the body to release the potent

feel-good hormone serotonin. One

in six of us now suffer from some

form of anxiety or depression

in the UK but this research

suggests that the salve needn’t

be complicated: one of your

most steadfast allies against

the black dog is the attainable,

everyday combination of a

sweaty workout and a soothing

bath. We’ll just let that soak in.

GRAPEFRUIT

Scientists in Japan

found that exposure

to this oil could help to raise

your body temperature and

reduce appetite, inhibiting

any unwanted weight gain.

Neuroscience Letters

SWEET ORANGE

Researchers have

discovered that the

compound limonene in this

citrusy scent can decrease

your anxiety levels while

increasing your alertness.

Acta Horticulturae

LAVENDER

Lavender is a safe

bet for those with

insomnia. The scent helps to

soothe your nervous system

and lower your heart rate.

Journal of Science

and Healing

MEN’S HEALTH 31

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13

HEAVEN

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12

HAPPINESS

ON TAP

SOAK UP THE BENEFITS

OF YOUR MOST RELAXING

MOOD BOOSTER

MIND

NEWSFEED

07/19