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I read the piece.
Laura Austin/Adobe Stock
I sent it to friends and family.
She was right on all counts.
Its hard to know WTF to do with nothing but hours between us and any definitive resolution.
I decided to take a bath.
Before I go on, let me state the obvious: Baths wont fix the electorate.
They wont fix voter suppression.
Baths wont alleviateclimate change,anti-Black violence, or thecoronavirus pandemic.
Willful ignorance and pure consumerism couched as self-care make me cringe.
There are too many things a warm bath cant fix.
What I do know?
A bath can help folks fall asleep.
Ive also learned the difference between whats within my control and what is not.
I know relaxation can feel self-indulgent, but it actually promotes better health.
Adrenaline increases your heart rate and blood pressure, theMayo Clinicsays.
Cortisol dampens many bodily functions that arent essential, theMayo Clinicexplains.
These changes help you focus on getting away from the perceived danger.
But what if you cant run away from your stressors?
So we have to find ways to reduce the way these stress hormones can tax our bodies.
When day turns to night, your body temperature drops a few degrees.
AsSELF previously reported, this drop involves melatonin, a hormone that your body produces to encourage sleep.
And that really helps youfall asleep.
If bathing isnt an option for you, lean into taking a longshoweror soaking your feet for a while.
If neither of these things sounds appealing, locking your bathroom door and having somemuch-needed privacyis also acceptable.
Your bath doesnt need to be ultra-luxurious for you to reap the benefits.
And I know I also mentioned being wary of consumerism masquerading as self-care.
SELF editorial assistant Sarah Madaus created a roundup of her favoritebath productsfrom bath balms to inflatable pillows.
Take a bath, wrap yourself in ablanket, and fortify yourself for the fight ahead.
