As any advocate for self-care will tell you, there is a distinct joy in doing something purely because it feels good. But in a world where the wellness industry is worth $6 trillion, these acts are increasingly attached to self-improvement, unrealistic goal attainment and what looks good on Instagram.

Could old-fashioned bathing be the antidote? Freya Berwick and Mary Minas certainly think so. Late last year the pair opened Sense of Self, an ambitious bathhouse, spa and wellness space in Melbourne’s inner north.