Mother Earth was the first spa. We explored four animal bathing rituals that prove self-care isn’t new, it’s nature… 1. Capybaras love to lounge in warm water, especially during cool seasons for thermoregulation, relaxation, and skin health. In Japanese zoos, they’re given yuzu fruit baths in winter, and they seem to adore the scent and warmth. These giant rodents are very social, group bathing strengthens bonds, not unlike humans in a hot tub.
 2. Birds dip into shallow water sources shimmying and flapping to get water deep into their plumage. After bathing, they retreat to preen with their beaks, realigning feathers and distributing natural oils. Their careful preening post-bath is essential for insulation, waterproofing, and flight. The bird bath, it turns out, is part spa, part survival strategy. 3. Elephants suck water into their trunks and spray it over their backs, followed by dust or mud to create a protective layer. The mud acts like sunscreen and insect repellent. Their wrinkled skin helps trap the dust and mud in folds, extending its protective effects. This ritual  is social and baby elephants often learn by copying adults in a group bath. A full body skin care routine passed down from trunk to trunk. 4. Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, are the only primates besides humans known to regularly bathe in hot springs. In the snowy mountains of Nagano, they soak to stay warm and studies show these thermal dips lower stress hormones and promote social bonding. The behavior is learned and passed on, mostly by females, making it both a wellness ritual and a cultural tradition.