What is Hydrotherapy and its Benefits?
Do you have a safe space where you find peace and relaxation in your busy days? If so, what is it?
Oddly, it’s a bathroom for me. Although there are other places such as nature and under the water that give me peace, a bathroom is a small meditative space where I go to seek privacy and quietness in a busy day. I know nobody will open the shut door of a cubicle room I am in, and for a moment, I am exempt (legally) from the noises and happenings outside. I feel safe and relaxed.
When I have more time, I engage in some of the hydrotherapies that I can do in the bathroom to keep my Mind, Body, and Spirit healthy. If you like water like me, hydrotherapy might be the one for you.
But first, what is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy, as the name implies, is a water-based treatment to support one’s whole health. The water can be in any form- ice, liquid, or gas, such as steam. Also, please be aware that when we talk about health, we don’t only mean by physical health, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Types of Hydrotherapy
Many people think about aquatic exercises such as swimming and aerobics when it comes to hydrotherapy. However, there are many other types of hydrotherapy such as warm baths, contrast water therapy (soaking in warm and then in cold water), and steam shower that you can easily implement in your home bathroom. Moreover, there are sauna and float therapy which would require a bigger space.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy can adjust circadian rhythms and improve sleep, help treat joint problems, relax muscle, improve mental health such as depression and anxiety, relieve headaches and colds, flush out toxins, and many more. Since Hydrotherapy is more gentle than physical therapy or exercises, it is suitable for elders, those who have joint problems, or have obesity.
*You can find other posts about some of the hydrotherapies that you can implement at home and their specific benefits for your health.