For centuries, people have enjoyed the health benefits of soaking in natural mineral hot springs. The practice is known as balneology and is used to treat and alleviate many conditions.
Modern research confirms that hot-spring soaking can help heal the body and mind. Soaking in scalding natural hot water nurtures tired muscles, soothes aching joints, and promotes better sleep.
Relaxes Muscles and Joints
Soaking in resorts with hot springs or a hot tub helps reduce lactic acid buildup in sore muscles. It also relieves joint pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia, while the warmth relaxes tight muscles. Buoyancy in mineral-rich waters also allows bathers to increase flexibility and move more freely in their joints.
Soothing and natural minerals help soothe dry skin and boost circulation, making them ideal for anyone suffering from eczema or other conditions. The warm water causes your body to sweat, which can also help clear clogged pores and boost your immune system.
A relaxing soak is a great way to improve blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Soaking in a hot spring can even help you sleep better and reduce stress. And the health benefits don’t stop there, as a spa vacation can help you feel happier and healthier than ever before. In one study published in 2021, people with chronic pain reported a higher level of mental wellbeing after soaking for an extended period.
Reduces Stress
The hot water of mineral hot springs calms the body and mind, promoting relaxation and wellbeing. This helps reduce stress levels, improves sleep patterns, and creates healthier digestive tracts.
According to Spa Executive magazine, studies have shown that thermal bathing (also known as balneotherapy) has a direct impact on chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis and back problems while also lowering anxiety and depression. Soaking in the hot water of a natural hot spring can also help people with sleep problems such as insomnia, a common cause of stress and fatigue.
A questionnaire was conducted to determine the relationship between hot spring spa-bathing habits and mental health indicators. A correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and the results showed that life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and subjective health conditions were moderately positively correlated with hot spring bathing habits. Ordinal logistic regression was also performed, and all explanatory variables significantly influenced life satisfaction.
Promotes Better Sleep
A soak in a natural hot spring encourages the release of endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers. In addition, soaking in hot water helps relax tense muscles and can aid in healing swollen joints and ligaments. The contrast between the hot mineral springs and your skin’s cooler temperature often promotes deeper sleep.
The study also found that individuals with a regular hot spring bathing habit had higher levels of life satisfaction. Ordinal logistic regression analysis used frequency, duration, and period of hot springs bathing as explanatory variables and life satisfaction as the outcome variable to test this relationship.
Soak away your stress and tension in the teepee-covered hot pools. This resort is nestled within towering evergreens in Olympic National Park and features a full-service campground, cabins, family-style homes to rent, and hiking trails. Or, if you prefer to stay in the hot tub, check into one of the resort’s private mineral hot springs suites that overlook the mystical abyss.
Relieves Pain
Hot springs offer natural remedies that soothe and heal, whether for the skin, muscles, or joints. Soaking in mineral-rich geothermal waters, or balneotherapy, improves circulation, relieves stress and anxiety, and promotes better sleep and relaxation.
The thermal effects of hot springs come from the water’s high temperature, which reduces inflammation and stimulates metabolism. The physical benefits come from the buoyancy of warm water, which takes the weight off your joints and helps to improve mobility for those with arthritic pain or who have injuries like sprains.
Still, it’s essential to check with your doctor before using hot springs, especially if you have heart disease or high blood pressure. Also, pregnant women should avoid them unless their physician approves. If you decide to soak, short soaks are the best for most people, says Altman. That’s because exposing the fetus to hot temperatures can cause congenital disabilities, she adds.