What Is Hydrotherapy And How Can You Benefit From It?
It’s no secret that water can be sooo soothing and relaxing. That’s why it’s ingrained in self-care culture to take a bath as a form of relaxation. But, there’s so many other ways to use the benefits of water to your advantage in your wellness.
Hydrotherapy involves using water as a treatment for various symptoms in your body. These symptoms that hydrotherapy can treat range from mental, to emotional, to physical. There’s tons of wellness benefits that water can produce.
Crazy right? Something so simple and accessible for most of us. That’s why it’d be crazy not to add it into our self-care routine.
The Physical Benefits of Hydrotherapy:
Let’s start with the physical benefits of hydrotherapy. First, hydrotherapy can increase muscle relaxation and relieve pain. This is especially common for athletes to use after strenuous workouts. It’s also fairly common for those suffering from arthritis to use it to relieve joint pain.
Other great benefits are that it enhances circulation, and it can be used as an alternative form of exercise. Exercise in water can help with range of motion, balance and coordination, and is low-impact - all of which are especially good for those that are beginners or have limitations when it comes to physical activity.
The Mental Benefits of Hydrotherapy:
Now, let’s get to the mental benefits. The most obvious one is that hydrotherapy is calming and soothing, and can reduce stress and anxiety. Again, that’s why soaking in a bath after a stressful day feels so relaxing. It can also stimulate the body’s natural production of endorphins, which improve and boost mood. Water can quite literally make you feel happier. Another benefit is that it can enhance cognitive function (who doesn’t want a little extra boost and focus in that area?!).
Ways To Add Hydrotherapy Into Your Life:
Obviously, the most common form is soaking in a warm bath or tub of water. You can also choose cold water - a technique that has been widely popular amongst athletes, but recently has made its way into the everyday lives of regular people due to its benefits (don’t knock it til you try it!). Also, as mentioned, incorporating it with exercise is another way to reap the benefits.
Something a lot of us do to relieve pain, that you probably don’t even realize falls under the category of hydrotherapy, is applying ice packs to different parts of your body to relieve or soothe pain. The other side of that, would be applying heat, such as relaxing in a sauna.
Hydrotherapy is an amazing, easy, and natural way to improve your wellness. It’s a great addition to any self-care routine, especially because it’s holistic and safe. It’s widely used in medical settings for the benefits I listed above, and beyond. Next time you’re soaking in a relaxing bath, remember to be grateful for all the benefits that water provides for us!
