WELLNESS BATHROOMS ARE A MUST! BATHROOMS FOR NOW AND FOREVER

August 14, 2021

WELLNESS BATHROOMS ARE A MUST! BATHROOMS FOR NOW AND FOREVER

Why Wellness Bathrooms Are Taking California And Coachella Valley By Storm.

Wellness Bathrooms are a trend that will transition into a standard. While it doesn't mean that the glamour bathrooms we are used to seeing in lux high end will fade out. It just means that the way the thought process for the layout, fixture selection, materials, finishes and lighting design will have a different goal. It is all about your health and wellness.

Your first question is probably, what IS a Wellness Bathroom? Generally speaking it is a bathroom that provides a space to nurture and rejuvenate your well being. It incorporates some basic characteristics from the wellness industry; safety, preventive and personalized medicine, traditional and complementary medicine, personal care, anti-aging, weight loss, fitness and mind-body and supporting lifestyle choices that lead to holistic health. Over simplified, a wellness bathroom brings the Spa life to your home.

Equally important, is making certain that our health needs are not at the expense of the environment. This is where California environmental consciousness becomes center stage when it comes to making selections and design choices that conserve energy and our natural resources.

Now that we have a general idea of what a wellness bathroom is and its purpose let's talk about the key features:

SOAKING TUB: Not all of us can get to Iceland to enjoy the benefits of natural mineral springs but we can bring the benefits to us. Pre-existing heart conditions aside, soaking in hot water increases our heart rate explaining the calorie burn. It also provides an uptick in oxygenating blood. The steam helps clear our respiratory passages. This can be especially true submerging up to the neck. The pressure of the water can assist with reducing pain and inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis. The buoyancy helps counteract gravity that can cause pressure on the spine especially prevalent in those with multiple sclerosis. If you suffer from muscle and joint pain stretching in the water allows for low impact exercise which reduces the chances of falling in high risk individuals due to joint stiffness. Aside from elevating flu and cold symptoms, soaking can increase the effectiveness of the immune system. There is opportunity for balancing hormones. Did you know that soaking in warm water increases serotonin responsible for happiness and well being? By adding mineral salts and oils to your bathwater you can add a layer to alleviating joint pain and reducing stress.

WALL MOUNTED TOILET: You wouldn't think this would be a game changer but when it comes to hygiene and cleaning time it saves both. With a nice gap between the toilet and the floor, mopping up is cinch. No opportunity for lint and bacteria build up where the toilet meets the floor. Many of the toilets come with features that not only provide a relaxing environment so that things "flow" easier bidet accessories are becoming a standard. Enjoy self cleaning options, music, chromotherapy and seat warmers for those cold seasons to name a few. These are especially important in forever homes where cleanup needs become more frequent. Let's face it, when dealing with flu and other illnesses, no matter what chapter of life you are in, a bidet feature is much more sanitary.

THE SPA SYSTEM: If soaking isn't your thing then a spa system will be your jam! All of the benefits of a spa right in your bathroom. It all starts with the shower head. The luxury heads come with all of the bells and whistles: LED lighting for chromotherapy, multiple water style settings ranging from rain to curtain, a steam shower setting, Bluetooth for your favorite podcast or relaxing music playlist, and adjustable tilt. Not washing your hair and just need a localized rinse? Add a personal hand held shower head on a travel bar for flexibility. Need a massage? Add anywhere from 2-6 adjustable body sprays. How is this AMAZING spa system even possible in California where one can't have more than 1.8gpm at any given time per feature within the same area? It's all in the valve system. Thermomatic valves are the most suitable for this arrangement. It also means you may have to compromise a little. For example, if you use a (4) valve system you can have two settings for your shower head but only run them one at a time, or you can run your handheld or your body sprays. It can work in your favor. For example, you could do a hair mask and let it stand without getting it wet while you have a nice body massage with your body sprays. It can be tricky setting up a system like this. A kitchen and bath specialist, like Lynn, makes it SO much easier.

THE CURBLESS SHOWER: Since we are talking about the shower system, let's talk about the healthiest shower floor available, curbless. To facilitate optimal drainage, a linear or infinity drain is the answer. The number one culprit leading to injury are falls. Considering all of the hard wet surfaces in a bathroom, it is the number one room in house where a fall will occur. Achieving a curbless shower can range from a curbless shower pan to a continuous floor. Even the smallest curb can create a trip hazard. Curbless pans and continuous floors remove that trip opportunity. While the senior age group is most prone to mobility challenges the reality is, our mobility can be challenged at any age. Consider falling off of a ladder during home repair, throwing your back out at work, sports related injury or impairment from medication or sickness. Besides, aesthetically, curbless showers are quite elegant.

CHROMOTHERAPY: Which interests you more, the anti-aging benefits or expeditious healing after surgery using chromotherapy? It has been used for years but is just now really enjoying its time in the spotlight through wellness design. The right color for the job. Depending on what part of your health you are trying to effect will determine the light frequency you select. For enhanced healing, infrared light is often used but, we will just stick with what is most commonly used for residential purposes. Chromotherapy can assist with restoring energy, inducing sleep, anti-aging through collagen and elastin repair and regulating mood to just name a few. Certain fixtures like shower heads, sauna systems and bathtubs come equipped with chromotherapy lights. Look for built in systems or add it to your overall bathroom lighting. This is another area that can require a sufficient skill set in lighting design. You might consider looking to a professional kitchen and bath specialist like Lynn to help customize a lighting design that best meets your needs.

PINTEREST INSPIRATION:

The two emerging styles for our desert culture are Japandi and Bohemian. Glam will always be around for our subcultures in Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Meanwhile cities like Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes and Indio enjoy the emerging styles that lend towards zen and biophilia. They can often be accentuated with touches of glam and lux materials. Skilled interior designers, in particular those that specialize in kitchens and baths are expert and knowing how to balance these styles. Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration, like those featured above for your next remodel.

This is why Wellness Bathrooms are a MUST for your remodels. They are in alignment with California conservation laws and municipalities as well as creating a rejuvenating environment. Being eco-friendly doesn't have to come at the expense of being beautiful. After all, the more aesthetically pleasing the environment the more positive effects we derive from the design. It's time to transform your bathroom into a place of revitalization and healing.