With assignments, exams, work, obligations and more, sometimes it’s nice to just take a little break from it all and soak in a tub. As someone who takes a lot of baths as a way to relax, I have compiled a list of everything you need to make your bathing experience as relaxing as possible.

Taking a bath does more than just get you squeaky clean; studies have found that taking a bath can help with muscle pain, arthritis, insomnia and some skin conditions. On top of all that, taking some time to chill in a bath can help with your mental health.

So here’s a list of everything you need to take an amazing bath.

1. Find a bathtub

Not everyone is blessed with the gift that is a home with a bathtub. If you have one, then congrats. Move on to the next step. If you don’t then don’t stress. You may just have to ask a friend or a family member if you can use their’s. This may sound weird, but the promise of a tub scrub or a home cooked meal afterwards may convince even the most hesitant person.

2. Candles

Candles are one of the most inexpensive ways you can treat yo’self. Head to the closest dollar store and pick up some tea lights or splurge on some larger scented candles and be prepared to relax. The main point of having candles is so you can turn off the lights in your bathroom but can still see. Just make sure you don’t place the candles near anything flammable and remember to blow them out when you’re done.

3. Bath bomb or bubble bath

It’s impossible to feel stressed out sitting in a tub of rainbow water or bubbles. I personally prefer bath bombs because they make my skin feel silky smooth, but bubbles are just as calming. Just make sure to use a product that is safe for your body, or you may be at risk of developing a UTI or yeast infection.

4. String of lights

This is where bubble time gets real. This may seem like a bit of a splurge, but trust me, it’s worth it. For a small investment (I’m talking $30 to $40) you can drastically increase both how relaxed you are as well as how fancy you feel. Choose a soft light, like a set of lantern lights, over a harsher, whiter light. This will seem like candlelight and will give you just enough light to not trip over anything while also being beautiful. Worst case scenario, Christmas lights would work too.

5. Music

Just take a few minutes before turning on the water to make a playlist of your favourite music. It doesn’t even have to be relaxing music, just put on a list of music you love and can sing along to. If you don’t want to listen to music, set up a laptop (somewhere far enough away that there’s no risk of it getting wet) or put on some Netflix. I prefer to watch something really relaxing, like Game of Thrones. Because fire cannot kill a dragon, and my baths are super hot which makes me feel like a Khaleesi. You could even bring your e-reader into the tub, but this is pretty risky, and should only be attempted by experts.

6. Anything else that relaxes you

Honestly, you can do whatever you want during your time in the tub. It’s all about doing whatever it takes to relax, these are just some tips that have helped me relax after a long day. Rose petals? Why not? A rubber duck? Heck yeah! You do you, just make sure whatever you’re doing is relaxing.