The Health Benefits of Soaking in Water


Soaking in water has many health benefits for individuals that take the time to use the bath daily or after a workout. Heat expands blood vessels letting the body get oxygen into the cells where it can do the most good. Cold constricts the same tissues and forces out unwanted chemicals and toxins after exercise. Surprisingly, a new trend where alternating between hot and cold is showing many hopeful signs. We look at each type below to help you discover which one might be the most beneficial for you.

 Ice Baths Promote Healing After Workouts

You know how uncomfortable you can get after a strenuous exercise routine. Ice baths help you in two primary ways. First, when you get in the water, the extreme cold causes your blood vessels to shrink up. When your muscles constrict from the temperature drop, they force lactic acid out of the tissue. The cold reduces swelling as well. When you get out of the bath, the sudden temperature change opens your veins and arteries quickly. As they expand, the blood vessels pump vast amounts of oxygen into the muscles helping them heal faster leaving you with less soreness.

Cold Water Soaks

If ice baths are not something you relish, then you could try out a cool bath to boost your immune system and maybe even your outlook. Experts suggest with this method that you use a shower instead of the tub to switch the temperature quicker. The goal is to use hot water for three or four minutes before turning the dial to cold for 60 seconds. Then, go back to the hot for the next few minutes before repeating until the entire 20 minutes is over.

The alternating action allows the blood vessels to squeeze contaminants like lactic acid out of the tissues and cells, and then replace it with oxygenated blood. This method reduces workplace absenteeism in a recent study in Amsterdam because employees missed fewer days of work. People find skin tighter, less collagen formation, and even a possible reduction in sugar levels, but more research is necessary.

Warm Water Bathing Has Many Benefits

  • Makes stretching less difficult
  • Eases joint pain
  • Can improve breathing - opens sinuses and lungs
  • Boosts the circulatory system - especially helpful for people with heart conditions to warm up the organ and body gently before exercise
  • Better clarity through stress reduction
  • Easier labor for pregnant women
  • Improves the urinary system after childbirth
  • Levels hormones
  • Moisturizes the body
  • Helps reset the core temperature with a fever or flushing
  • Improves immune health

The Flotation Tank Helps More Than Anxiety

While the main perk of going to the spa for some time in the float tank is to get rid of stress, there are some other things that you may notice too. The floating room has no lights, sound, or distractions, so your brain in uninhibited. If you choose to meditate during this time, then you are likely to find your blood pressure is lower, your ability to handle stressful situations is better, and you may have a more limber and flexible body. For several minutes, you can get away from the sounds of traffic, screaming kids, yelling, machinery, or whatever plagues you and float your worries away.



Why Use a Hot Tub?

People say that the Jacuzzi offers almost all the above benefits in one package. The body is looser and more relaxed with a hot soak. The brain seems to quiet, and anxieties go away. Many seem much happier after some time at the spa or a hot spring. Immune health improves with hot soaking making it easier to fend off the flu going around at the office.

Regular baths or alternating temperatures in the shower promise to reduce swelling, lift your spirits, and keep you from getting sick. Floating tanks can be useful every week where alternating therapy and Jacuzzi use is recommended daily. If one method sounds too uncomfortable, you can always try another to see if you get some of the same benefits.

About the Author

Dr. Josh Kantor D.C. owns and manages Chill Space, a leading Wellness Spa in NYC. To learn more about scheduling a cryosauna session please visit his website at ChillSpaceNYC.com.

Additional References
Location: 124 E 40th St #603, New York, NY 10016, USA

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