Hydrotherapy: Calm the Mind and Improve Health
When feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the chaos of life, hydrotherapy can be an excellent way to quiet the mind, soothe the body and improve your health. For centuries, cultures have used the practice of hydrotherapy to promote overall health and well-being, treat a variety of ailments and soothe aches.
Early hydrotherapists used hydrotherapy, sometimes mixed with aromatherapy, to heal physical ailments and help with emotional and mental healing. In time, bathhouses and other public spas became smaller and turned into more personalized pools. Since then, massage therapy has merged with hydrotherapy to create what has become known as hydromassage, enhancing the hot tub experience.
Hydrotherapy and Relaxation
Using hydrotherapy, people have found that after about 15 minutes your whole body begins to relax. While soaking, use this time to sit quietly and take some deep breaths to help quiet the mind.
Taking time to soak in a hot tub, or warm bath water, can help you relieve stress and calm your mind. Allowing your body to soak in the warm water releases dopamine in the brain, which makes you feel good and can help combat the harmful effects of stress. Meditation is a wonderful way to find peace after a long, chaotic day and incorporating the practice with hydrotherapy can help boost the experience.
Meditation is wonderful to practice in a hot tub because you can use the hydromassage jets and moving water to focus on different parts of your body and letting go of all other thoughts. You can use aromatherapy or music (instrumental or a mantra meditation) to help you center your mind and refocus your thoughts. When you begin the meditation process, focus in on the various sensations of your body and allow each part of your body to slowly relax. As you move deeper into your meditation, turn your focus onto your breath.
Hydrotherapy and Health
For those who live an active lifestyle, hydro massage has helped them meet their overall fitness goals. The warm water associated with hot tubs can help loosen stiff muscle and joints, reduce swelling, and better assist recovery from a tough workout or past injury.
Athletes are not the only ones who have benefited from hydrotherapy. Older adults have found relief through the healing principles associated with hydrotherapy and hydro massage, including reducing lower back pain, arthritis, neck and joint pain, and even diabetes symptoms. Spas are also excellent for practicing low-impact exercises, such as hot tub yoga and water aerobics, which can help with balance and flexibility. Additionally, hot tubs provide great all-natural relief and are a more holistic pain reducer.
Regardless of your age and fitness level, hydrotherapy can have a positive impact on your life. Hydrotherapy can aid with your emotional health, helping you to relieve stress by slowing down, feeling more tranquil and improving your quality of sleep. Meditation is another great practice to add during your time in the hot tub for a more mindful practice.
Your health is important. Take time to create daily rituals to promote a healthier life—mentally, physically and spiritually. As you incorporate hydrotherapy into your daily life, you also may want to explore the healing and relaxing attributes associated with essential oils and other aromatherapies.
