The weather is getting colder and the nights darker, so for many of us the relaxation of a simple bath is second to none.

But how many of us really take the time to indulge ourselves properly?

Showers are great and use less water, but when it’s time to indulge in some ‘me time’ nothing can really beat a good warm relaxing bath.

The Romans created this simple cleansing ritual, and yes it’s about getting clean but that extra 5 to 20 minutes relaxing in the bath with a good book, maybe a glass or two, some music or candlelight can make all the difference to the day.

The perfect accompaniment to a bath surely has to be a nice selection of candles aiding to create a beautiful ambience, fragrance, easy and flattering lighting and a warm glow that never disappoints.

My favourites are:

• The Jo Wood Organics Tula Candle £30 for 6.7fl oz from www.jowoodorganics.com
• ECOutlet Mandarin Scented Soy Wax Recycled Square Glass Candles, £4.00 from www.ecoutlet.co.uk (pictured below)
• Abahna White Grapefruit & May Chang Candle £22.00 for 180g from www.abahna.co.uk

The Abhana scented candle is a fantastic accompaniment to the Abahna White Grapefruit & May Chang bath salts (£27.50 for 400g).

Bath salts seem to be getting a new era of followers and it’s no wonder with greats such as Nothing Nasty Lavender and Calendula Bath Salts £18.50 for 650g from www.nothingnasty.com and Burt’s Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals (£10.99) from www.bloomsburystore.co.uk.

To infuse your bath then the Africology Herbal Bags (£23.99 pictured below) from www.africology-uk.com are truly worth a try.

For a real ‘do it yourself’ bath how about adding some rose petals to the bath or maybe some dried or fresh herbs?

Baths with bubbles are great and Neals Yard Remedies Foaming Bath (£12.60 for 200ml from www.nealsyardremedies.com), is a real frother!

Once in the bath it’s nice to add a little pampering action. Why not restore your skin with a good body scrub? Skin feels amazing with Wild Organics Sugar Scrub Marshmallow Butter £28.00 for 400ml, available exclusively at QVC.

For something totally different, Voya Lazy Days Seaweed Bath (£15 from www.voya.ie), creates a luxurious and powerful therapeutic spa experience in your own home.

It’s a fresh organic seaweed bath of hand-harvested seaweed which can be dried and reused up to three times before making an excellent fertiliser for the garden!

Or get into a lather with the Manuka Honey based range, Living Nature Trio of Divine Handmade Soaps (3 x 70g soaps. £10.27 from www.livingnature.com)

Bathing tips
The bathing experts at Abahna advise that it is not a good idea to have the water above 40 degrees c before bedtime as this can increase the heart rate, but a hotter than 40c bath is fantastic for tight, aching muscles as it will increase the circulation which will release toxins from the body.

A good hot bath is also great for facial care as the steam opens the pores and allows warm water to flush out dirt and grime.

Using a facial scrub or mask whilst in the bath can be very effective and some simple home made scrubs can work wonders.

Try crushing oatmeal and mixing it to a paste with a little yoghurt or milk and honey. This simple home made recipe is brilliant at brightening the skin.

But for something a little less ‘messy in the kitchen’ try Lucy Russell Organic’s The Cleansing Balm (£24.00 – 60ml from www.lucyrussellorganics.co.uk). Certified organic by the Soil Association, this truly organic hand made range offers the wonderful lemony cleanser that can also be used as a face mask.

We have always been advised not to eat before a bath but a simple indulgent Booja Booja choc (www.boojabooja.com) surely can’t hurt!? For a touch of chocolate in your bath without the calories try the ME! Bath Choco-holic Bath Ice Cream (£10 www.b-avante.co.uk) – it’s as sweet as it sounds – or Faith In Nature Organic Chocolate Bath Foam (£4.69 – 400ml from www.thegreenstoreonline.co.uk).

Once out of the bath it’s always good to nourish, protect and fragrance our skin with good body moisturiser.

The Suzanne aux bains Massage Oil is exactly that. Organic and totally luxurious the Suzanne aux bains Massage Oil (£27.50 – 100ml from www.trueaffinity.co.uk), is a delicate dry oil that helps ease tension when massaged in.It moisturises the skin and soothes for overall relaxation, calming the mind and spirit. Natural Being is a new range just launching with a price point to suit all purses. The Manuka Hand & Body Cream is easily absorbed and leaves the skin soft and beautifully protected (£6.00 – 100ml from www.naturalbeingskincare.com)

The products we choose for our bodies are just as important as those we choose for our face. So make the most of your time in the bath, and enjoy your sensory journey and the little time you have to indulge yourself. After all it is your time and you really are worth it!