How A Hot Soak Can Reduce Stress And Prevent Disease
Soaking in hot water is a medicinal practice whose origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt from as early as 2,000 B.C. Egyptian royalty would soak in hot baths to relieve their muscle tension and stress by placing scorching rocks into the water tub. At the time of the Greek empire, minerals were added into the baths to battle illnesses. Even Hippocrates, the father of medicine, prescribed hot soak treatment as a natural cure to different conditions from jaundice to rheumatism.
A hot soak is also known as hydrotherapy, which comes from the Greek words “hydro” (water) and “therapia” (healing). From the earliest of history, the abundant natural hot springs were already used to strip the bodies of impurities inside and out and promote the healing of the soul. Until now, this traditional practice is still being recognized by current medical research. Many benefits of soaking in temperatures between 92 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit have been proven to be effective solutions to a healthy body.
Why Hot Soak?
According to Dr. Bruce E. Becker, director of the National Aquatics & Sports Medicine Institute at Washington State University, soaking in hot water can loosen the joints and alleviate pain even after the period of immersion is over. Dipping the body from the neck down reduces the force of gravity that is compressing the joint. The sore limbs get an extra support, which can then improve blood circulation and decrease swelling.
Water is also more resistant than air; thus, making basic movements such as swinging the arms or walking becomes a challenging task for the body. As a consequence, the body gets a workout from a simple routine to help strengthen the muscles and the heart.
Benefits of a Hot Soak
- The relaxing effects of a hot soak can lead to better sleep. As the body temperature increases with the hot water, the stiffness of the muscles is greatly reduced, causing sleepiness. The longer the body gets its rest, the more it gets to rejuvenate itself to be ready for the next day! Before going to bed, make it a practice to soak in the hot tub first and you’ll be assured of a good night’s sleep.
- A hot soak can lower blood pressure. As your body immerses into the hot water, it acclimates to the temperature by pumping more blood into the bloodstream. This means more oxygen and white blood cells are circulating through the body. At first, the blood pressure goes up, but as the blood vessels expand due to the heat, the resistance on the heart begins to subside and the muscles begin to relax. This also means that the blood pressure starts to go down.
- Get pain and arthritis relief from a hot soak. Physical therapists recommend the natural treatment of a hot soak to athletes and people suffering from arthritis. When it comes to pain management, whether it’s a small ache or a major injury, the blood flow will improve as a result of the oxygen and nutrients in the blood circulating smoothly in the body.
- Stay away from diseases by soaking in a hot tub. The high temperature of the water leads to an increased production of white corpuscles in the blood. These white corpuscles help to fight diseases and the greater their presence in the body, the stronger the immune system.
Keep Yourself Healthy
Hydrotherapy helps to promote healthy living and a longer life because of the therapeutic effects of water. While it is ideal to have a hot soak a few times a week, it is recommended to immerse oneself in the water for an average of twenty minutes and to drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. Soaking in a hot tub is one of the best ways to unwind and de-stress, and it is also a natural preventive method to stay away from diseases.
