What's A Sound Bath And What Are Its Benefits?

After a stressful day, there's nothing more relaxing than a soak in the tub. A good ol' bubble bath is a must when it comes to self-care, but if you're looking for something a little less traditional that doesn't require a bath bomb or fancy salts, you may want to consider a sound bath. Perhaps you've heard already the term "sound bath" drift in and out of conversations, especially for those surrounding by holistically-minded folks. It sounds pretty futuristic, but the name itself is a touch misleading, as this bath has nothing to do with water or bubbles, but it can be just as relaxing and rejuvenating as the former.

A sound bath usually takes place in a studio with a small group of people. It's led by an instructor who uses a multitude of instruments and tools to create the sound and atmosphere — this can involve singing bowls, tuning forks, gongs, and drums among others (via Verywell Mind). The experience is meant to be meditative, and you typically lie on your back while being "bathed" in the sound waves created by the music. While there are supposed benefits, this kind of alternative concert is oftentimes just viewed as a method of relaxation, like a meditation class or massage would be.

One study from 2017 that was published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that sound baths reduced tension and physical pain for some of the participants. It's also said the sound baths can be beneficial in reducing anxiety, insomnia, and stress. According to Nate Martinez, a certified sound therapy practitioner, who spoke with Everyday Health, "[Sound baths] can be very helpful with anxiety and stress, which manifest in so many ways, affecting sleep, digestion, and memory. By experiencing a sound bath, you can provide your whole body with a reset."

While there isn't too much scientific proof yet covering the benefits of a these musical meditations, there are a lot of qualitative reviews and firsthand experiences where people claim they've been positively effected by a sound bath. So if you're interested in alternative therapies for reducing things like stress or anxiety, there's really no harm in trying it for yourself, as long as you speak with your doctor before jumping in to this new experience.