The Healing Benefits of Hot Springs

Bathing in hot springs is something that humans have been doing for centuries. Many of our ancient civilizations including the Greeks, Romans, Japanese, Egyptians, Native Americans and Norsemen have benefited from the practice.

What is a Hot Spring?

A hot spring, also known as a geothermal spring or a hydrothermal spring, is a body of water created from the surfacing of geothermally heated groundwater. Hot springs are located in areas of the world that have active volcanism, as well as areas that have inactive volcanoes. The subsurface magma from the volcanoes heats the groundwater resulting in a natural hot bath with steam. The water temperature in these thermal springs is much higher than the surrounding air temperature. Hot springs contain a range of beneficial minerals including silica, magnesium, calcium carbonate and potassium.

Certain countries, including Iceland and New Zealand, use geothermal processes to create heat and electricity that power cities and provide hot water. As well as being a great natural energy source, geothermal waters have been used for centuries to heal and rejuvenate the body.

The Healing Benefits of Hot Springs

The term ‘spa’, which we often associate with rest and relaxation, originates from the town of Spa in Belgium and translates to “health through water”. Hot springs are known for having numerous therapeutic benefits.

Here are just some of them:

Detox and heals your skin

Hot springs naturally contain high amounts of silica, a chemical compound containing two elements, silicon and oxygen. It is said to help oxygenate and soften your skin. This can be particularly good for anyone with dry or rough skin.

Thermal springs also contain high amounts of sulfur which has many healing benefits including treating dry scalps and healing skin irritations such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. Sulfur water has been used for centuries to heal skin conditions, the practice is known as balneotherapy.

Boost blood circulation

The water in hot springs contains a host of different minerals including calcium and sodium bicarbonate. When we sit in a hot spring our bodies soak up these minerals which helps to increase circulation and oxygen flow.

Relieves pain

Several studies, including this one conducted in Nepal, have discovered that hot baths full of minerals may help with widespread pain and fatigue. This is due to the fact that heat can dull our perception of pain by blocking our pain receptors in the body. The buoyant effect of water also offers relief to the joints and allows for free and easier movement. Hot springs are said to be particularly effective for reducing arthritic and fibromyalgia pain.

Reduces stress & anxiety

The warming and calming effect of the hot water can help you to feel less anxious and stressed. This study found that people that bathe in hot water regularly have better subjective health and are generally happier overall. Bath waters with temperatures between 98.6°F -104°F can help to stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system which causes our heart rate to slow down and create a relaxing sensation in your body. A further study conducted in 2012 showed that after two weeks of hot water treatment the participants experienced a 60% reduction in stress related health problems.

Whether you drink the natural spring water or bath in the relaxing hot springs there are major healing benefits for overall health and rejuvenation. Leave us a comment and let us know which way is your favorite to enjoy the healing benefits of spring water.