There is nothing like a hot bath to invigorate both your mind and your body. A hot bath can inspire you to relax and stop thinking. It can calm you and create an atmosphere of sanctuary. Taking a bath is a ritual that is easy to do for yourself.

The act of bathing together can be as elaborate or as simple as you'd like to make it. It's easy to add bubbles to the bath water and light a few candles around the bathtub. Or you can get as elaborate as using a Japanese dry brush to pamper and stimulate the skin before you get into the water. Sometimes it's appropriate to bring music, drinks, food, and playful fantasy into the bath. Other times you may want to ceremoniously wash your partner's feet and anoint them with creams and oils. You can even have an important conversation while soaking in the bathtub.

There is no end to the imaginative things you can do in the bath. Get innovative and think up a few wild ideas for yourself. Here are a few suggestions of things to do in the bath:

• Lovingly wash your partner's hair

• Give your partner a foot or scalp massage

• Slide your soapy body up and down over your partner's body

• Put soap on a large soft sponge and soap your partner's body

• Dry your partner very lovingly

• Brush each other's hair

You may also want to add something to the bath water for an enhanced experience. Here are a few ideas:

• Put rose petals in the bath and on the floor of the bathroom

• Use a few drops of a favorite essential oil in the bath

• Use herbal and scented soaps

• Finely grate a little orange or lemon rind into the tub

• Float a cinnamon stick or a few cloves in the water

• Use foaming bath bubbles