BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Warm rather than hot. Test with your wrist or elbow; it should feel pleasantly warm, not stinging. Dermatologists, including the American Academy of Dermatology, recommend lukewarm water and short baths to avoid drying the skin. Very hot water can also make you dizzy when you stand up.

Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty for most people. Longer soaks tend to leave skin drier, especially in winter. Moisturise within a few minutes of getting out.

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, and many people find it a pleasant addition. Good evidence that it is absorbed through the skin in useful amounts is limited, so think of it as a nice extra rather than a treatment. Warm water and rest are doing most of the work.

They need care. Oils do not mix with water, so drops can sit undiluted on the skin and irritate it. Never swallow them, keep them away from children, and remember several are toxic to cats and dogs. The NCCIH summarises current evidence. Skipping them entirely is a perfectly good choice.

Many gentle routines are fine, but avoid very hot baths, hot tubs and saunas, and check with your midwife or doctor before using essential oils or new products. Slow breathing, warm (not hot) foot soaks and rest are usually easy places to start.

Apply a small amount of the new product or mixture to the inside of your forearm, leave it, and watch for redness, itching or swelling. If anything appears, wash it off and do not use it. The NHS recommends a 48-hour patch test before hair dye, a useful benchmark for cautious testing generally.

For most people, once a week on hands and feet is enough. Over-scrubbing causes redness and sensitivity. Skip exfoliation on broken, sunburnt, freshly shaved or irritated skin, and on the face if you have conditions such as rosacea or eczema.

Stick to lukewarm water, short baths, plain oat baths and fragrance-free moisturiser. Avoid scrubs, bath bombs and scented products. Organisations such as the National Eczema Society in the UK and the National Eczema Association in the US offer detailed guidance, and your doctor can advise on treatment.

Ask your care team first. Reduced sensation can make it hard to judge water temperature, and long soaks can soften skin in ways that make injuries more likely. Many diabetes foot-care guides advise against routine soaking.

Stop. Feeling light-headed during breathing exercises usually passes if you breathe normally and sit still. If relaxation practices bring up distress, that is common and nothing to push through alone; talking to a GP or a trusted person is a good next step.