Bed, bath and beyond

January is synonymous with denial, with self-imposed exile from drinking dens and shops lest you immediately break all well-intentioned resolutions. But relegating yourself to a month of evenings in doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a few of the finer things in life.

And there are few luxuries that are more attainable than a soothing soak. And if you have taken up the punishing exercise regime that’s almost mandatory at this time of year, your screaming muscles will really benefit from some well-earned liquid relief.

Admittedly in this time-poor, eco-conscious era, bathing has somewhat gone out of fashion in favour of speedy showers. But as some power showers can use at least as much water as a bath, indulging in the occasional tub once in a while shouldn’t make you feel too guilty.

Of course, not all baths are created equal, but a few basics should have you drawing a tub full of bliss with the best of them. First, you’ll need to clear the decks: whether it’s your housemates’ huge collection of almost-empty shampoo bottles or your children’s brightly coloured bath toys, clear any clutter off the rim and stash it somewhere out of sight. When it’s time to get the water running, you’ll want to aim for warm rather than hot as the latter will be harder to endure for more than a few sweaty minutes.

If you’re adding a bath foam, do so at the start, but if you’ve opted for an oil, add this once it’s started to fill up. On the subject of unguents: lavender is the ultimate in soporific scents and dominates the market, but camomile and jasmine are becoming increasingly easy-to-find alternatives.

Taking a bath is all about shutting the door and switching off, and that process can be aided by turning down the lights – or, even better, lighting a candle or five. Just be careful where you place them – a singed fringe will never be a good look.

Use this time to pamper yourself properly – try out a face mask or body scrub, apply an intensive conditioner on your hair. If you’ve used an oil, all but the driest skin types should be sufficiently moisturised, but if not then avoid anything citrus-scented, which may wake you up and undo all of that hard work.