“During a busy, high-stress day, our bodies are often running on adrenaline,” Carla Manly, PhD, a clinical psychologist practicing in California, says. “Calming, mindful actions such as taking a bath bring the body’s parasympathetic nervous system on board; as we wind down, we feel calm and stress-free. As we relax in a bath, the levels of stress neurochemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol subside, and we experience an increase in soothing, feel-good neurochemicals such as serotonin.” In addition to the mental benefits, there are also ways that bathing may help improve your physical health. “There are many benefits of taking baths, like relaxing your muscles and joints, de-stressing from the day, and even improving digestion—as you relax your gut relaxes as well,” Navya Mysore, MD, a primary care physician at One Medical says. But depending on the size and shape of your bathtub, as well as your body, it can be difficult to find a position that’s actually comfortable. That’s where bath pillows come in. Here are the best bath pillows on the market for ultimate bathing comfort. Not only is the pillow made from soft, breathable mesh, but it’s also fully adjustable, allowing users to find the perfect position. And in the event that something goes wrong with your bathtub pillow, it comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee. Price at time of publication: $36 The bath pillow can attach to most smooth surfaces, thanks to its suction cups. Price at time of publication: $13 Another standout feature of this bath pillow set is that it’s inflatable. It’s perfect for travel, and it allows the user to make the pillows as firm as they’d like by adding or letting out some air. On the other hand, many people prefer a mesh and foam combination pillow over something plastic and inflatable. But given that the concept is achieving a feeling of weightlessness, you might not care what the pillow is made out of if it makes you feel weightless. Price at time of publication: $88 An attached hook makes it easy to hang up the pillow to dry, and the whole thing is machine washable (though you can also wash it by hand). The 3D breathable mesh allows air and water to pass through, cutting down on drying time and reducing the chances of mold or mildew growing. Price at time of publication: $55 At 13 x 10 x 3 inches, the pillow is compact while still offering a decent amount of support for the neck and back. Price at time of publication: $33 It’s worth noting that the external material of this bath pillow is nonporous and 100 percent waterproof: That makes it very easy to wipe clean, but it may feel too much like plastic for some people. Price at time of publication: $22 The two-panel contoured design and 4-inch pillow-top cushion make it especially comfortable. Price at time of publication: $25 The 3D honeycomb-woven mesh material dries quickly and is resistant to discoloration. Plus, if you’ve found the design of other bath pillows uncomfortable, this pillow’s unique shape offers another contoured option. Price at time of publication: $30 The breathable mesh material is machine-washable and quick-drying, and the pillow comes with a built-in hook allowing the user to hang it up to dry. Price at time of publication: $24 Because the pillow’s dense foam tends to absorb water, your best bet is to keep it behind your head (as designed) rather than submerging it in water. Price at time of publication: $23 But the exterior material of the Aquasentials Inflatable Terry Cloth Bath Pillow is a soft, waterproof terry cloth. It provides a comfortable exterior with all the benefits of an inflatable pillow. Price at time of publication: $10 And if a child is bath-resistant because they don’t think that sitting in a hard tub for any length of time is comfortable, the cushion on this pillow should provide some good support. Also, pay attention to how the bath pillow is going to stay in place. The shape and/or slope of some tubs may make it difficult for some bath pillows to remain in the spot where you need them to be, while in others, it’s not an issue at all. If bath pillow slippage is an issue, you may want to purchase one with suction cups on the back—the larger, the better.
Comfort
Ultimately, your decision to use a bath pillow is all about comfort so that your body and mind are able to fully relax. “When a bath is a soothing and restorative personal care ritual, the bathing process itself can be truly calming,” Manly says. “And, once you settle into the just-right bathwater, stress and anxiety tend to melt away in the safe, calming space you have created.” Keep in mind that part of being comfortable is being able to breathe easily and deeply, so make sure that a bath pillow also leaves you in a position to enable—and ideally, encourage—deep breathing. “Focusing on all the sensations of the body can allow individuals to engage in mindfulness and slow down their respiratory rate, which could dissipate stress and anxiety.” Leela R. Magavi, M.D, a psychiatrist and Regional Medical Director for Community Psychiatry + MindPath Care Centers, says. “Individuals can engage in diaphragmatic breathing while they bathe, as this could slow down some of the pathways implicated in anxiety.”
Material
Bath pillows are typically made of either a combination of foam and mesh—that provides a softer, more fabric-like feel—or smooth vinyl or PVC, which may be less comfortable but is easier to clean and better for preventing mildew. It is possible to have allergic reactions to both vinyl and PVC, so while those materials make caring for a bath pillow easier, avoid them if you have any prior knowledge of sensitivities. “When using any products, always check for allergies in advance to avoid any reactions,” Manly says. Another factor to consider is where you plan to use the bath pillow. If you want to use it while traveling, then getting something inflatable might make more sense. But if your bath pillow will be primarily for at-home use, you can opt for something made of foam or a bulkier material, since it won’t be going into a suitcase.
Why Trust Verywell Mind
As a seasoned health writer and editor with a special focus on mental health and well-being, Elizabeth Yuko understands how powerful stress-relieving activities can be for many people—as well as the fact that they’re not one-size-fits-all. With decades of first-hand experience dealing with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she’s always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with stress and other mental health challenges. To prevent this, keep your bathroom as ventilated as possible with an exhaust fan, an open window, or both. Then, take the time to rinse off and dry your bath pillow. If that’s not doing the trick, spray your bath pillow with a solution of either water and white vinegar or water and one teaspoon of tea tree oil—both of which should help stop mold and mildew from forming and growing. If a strained neck is the reason why you can’t get comfortable during a bath, test out a few different bath pillow positions until you find the one that allows you to fully relax. First, baths should be limited to around 15 to 20 minutes for pregnant people, he explains. Second, the water shouldn’t be too hot. “There is discussion of increased body temperature before seven weeks causing neural tube defects, including defects of the brain, spine, and spinal cord,” Salinger notes, adding that saunas, steam baths, and full-body immersion in hot tubs are not recommended during pregnancy. But at the appropriate temperature and length, taking a bath can help soothe muscle aches and pains that are common during pregnancy, Mysore says. The key, she explains, is to make sure you’re not overheating your core temperature. “In a healthy pregnancy, your body temperature is a little higher than when you are not pregnant, and hovers around 99 degrees,” Mysore says. “Ideally, when taking a bath you want to make sure the water is between 98.6 to 100 degrees.” It may be helpful to purchase a thermometer, so you’re able to check the temperature of the water before taking a bath. If you feel like you are ever overheating, Mysore urges pregnant people to get out of the water, and possibly even take a cool shower to bring down their core temperature. In addition to all the mental health benefits of taking baths, Salinger says that baths can help relieve pain in muscles and joints and reduce swelling in feet, hands, and fingers. “They are frequently used to alleviate discomfort caused by hemorrhoids and skin tags, especially when a good amount of salt is added,” he notes, adding that baths can also soften the skin.
