Hydrotherapy has become a real buzzword these days, but the idea isn’t new. At its heart, hydrotherapy just means using water to heal the boy (or mind), and its been in practice since the days of Hippocrates. It might sound like a complicated thing, but there is a very easy (and even free) way for you to experience hydrotherapy at home: take a bath.
In the age of daily (or twice daily) showers, we tend to see a bath as an indulgence, but its a time-honored practice and plenty of busy, brilliant people–from Cleopatra to Napoleoan–were fond of long, hot baths. Its not just about lounging in a tub. Water can detoxify, relax tight muscles, improve skin quality, and ease a weary mind. Following a warm bath with a cool shower can bring you energy and improve circulation, or a long soak in a hot bath can help you sleep at night.
It can really be as simple as filling your tub with water–you’re aiming for room temperature to around 100 degrees. In other words, at the upper end, you should be able to step easily into the tub and feel like the water in warm, but shouldn’t need to ease yourself in to adjust to a hot temperature. The next step up might be adding some epsom salt, which is available at just about any grocery or drug store. Epsom salts are made of the compound of magnesium and sulfate, which, when absorbed through your skin through the bath, can help soften and hydrate your skin, detoxify your body, and ease muscle aches.
Stay tuned to our blog for more specific recipes to create a therapeutic, customized bath experience!
