Does Bath Time Count as a Hobby?
When I was trying to figure out what my hobbies actually were, I kept coming back to the same thing: hot baths. And I kept second-guessing myself. Does that count? Is that really a hobby, or is that just… bathing?
I think for a lot of people, a bath is something you do in four minutes before bed. But for me it has never been that. It's the part of my day where I actually stop. The water is hot, the door is closed, and for the first time in hours nobody needs anything from me.
That's when I pray. That's when I get quiet enough to actually listen. Whether I'm stressed out and need to hand something over, or I'm feeling good and just grateful, or I'm in the middle of a decision and need to think it through — the bath is where I work that out. Something about heat and stillness has always made it easier for me to hear what I need to hear.
During Covid I started paying closer attention to how I felt afterward. I wasn't going anywhere, I had time to notice things, and what I noticed was that the days I did a hot soak were just better. My sleep was better. My anxiety was lower. My body felt less tense. Turns out there's real science behind it — heat therapy improves circulation and lowers cortisol, and topping it off with a cold shower feels amazing — but I didn't need the research to tell me it was working. I could feel it.
So yes. Bath time counts. It's not indulgent. It's not laziness dressed up in warm water. It's one of the most consistent things I do for my mental and physical health, and it also happens to be the place I've gotten some of my best ideas.
If you've been writing it off, run yourself a bath. Try a nice cup of tea, or maybe a glass of wine, a huge glass of water. Listen to an audiobook or just put your phone in the other room. Maybe try the lights off with a candle and some essential oils in a steamer. Find what's right for you.