Benefits/ purpose:
One purpose of bathing is for personal hygiene. It is a means of achieving cleanliness by washing away dead skin cells, dirt and soil, and a preventative measure to reduce the incidence and spread of disease. It also reduces body odors.
Bathing may also be practised for religious ritual or therapeutic purposes or as a recreational activity. Bathing may be used to cool or to warm the body of an individual.
Therapeutic use of bathing includes hydrotherapy, healing, rehabilitation from injury or addiction, and relaxation.
Benefits of swimming in cold water:
It helps you sleep better – We’ve all seen athletes plunge into ice baths to relieve muscle soreness. This is because our parasympathetic systems, responsible for rest and repair, are stimulated by cold water. Cold water swimmers often speak about being able to sleep particularly well after a quick dip.
It gets your blood pumping and improves circulation – A 2012 study of 43 older men and women found that those who swam a few times a week lowered their systolic blood pressure. This is because when we are cold, blood rushes to our organs – urging our hearts to work a little bit harder. A regular dip will help flush circulation and pump blood through capillaries, veins and arteries.
It’s an immune booster – Diving into ice cold water can cause quite a shock to the system… Particularly the immune system. A Czech study found a significant increase in the white blood cell counts of subjects immersed in cold water for one hour. This is because the immune system feels as though it’s being attacked and is startled into action.
It enhances happiness– Swimmers often report a “high” after delving into cold water, and many people take regular dips to fend off depression. This addictive sense of wellbeing and happiness is all down to endorphins. The body’s natural painkillers – these happy hormones kick in when you jump in to take the sting away from the cold. The cold also triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin – which help keep us chirpy.
It’s great for the skin – Immersing yourself in cold water has an exfoliant effect on skin – helping it appear smoother. The cold also improves circulation which helps combat cellulite and flush out impurities. What’s more – when we’re cold, blood rushes to the skins surface creating a glowy effect.
It increases your metabolism – Swimming in itself is great exercise, but delving into cold water helps to burn extra calories. This is because your body has to work twice as hard to keep you warm and get you back to your normal temperature. Your metabolism can increase by up to 550% of its resting level.
It has a calming effect – Swimming creates the same relaxation responses as yoga and is highly conducive to meditation. Many outdoor swimmers speak about the calming effect the exercise has on them, which lasts all day.
It increases alertness – If you struggle to stay awake in the morning, a plunge into cold water ought to help you out. The shock of cold will create a surge of adrenaline making you feel alert and energised.
Researched sourced by https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wellbeing/news/a664/outdoor-swimming-lidos-uk/
Benefits of swimming in Hot Water:
It boosts blood circulation.
Hot springs contain different materials like calcium and sodium bicarbonate. With that being said, when you rest in the water you absorb the minerals. According to livestrong.com, when you soak up the minerals “your hydrostatic pressure rises”. Your blood starts pumping and you get to feeling like you’re working out. Blood circulation helps your body feel not so stiff and tired as it would if you were lying in bed all day.
Relieves stress and calms you down.
While you sit in the pool, the heat deeply relaxes your muscles, resulting in the release of body tension. By relaxing and de-stressing, your body is able to fall asleep faster. De-stressing in general is very beneficial to your health. It takes the tension out of your body and therefore allows your mind to relax and get your blood flowing again and your heart beating. In turn, you can make better decisions with a clear mind and you can, even if it is just for a minute, forget your problems.
Hot springs are great for people with chronic pain.
According to leaf.tv, who cited Dr. Andrew Weil, a hot spring can help with joint pain, muscle fatigue, tissue damage, and others. The Chinese and Japanese have evidently been using hot springs to cure these pains for thousands of years. The heat loosens your skin from your bones and the muscles and helps you move freer.
Skin conditions can also be helped with hot springs.
In natural hot springs, there is something called silica that can actually really help your skin. If you have eczema or psoriasis, the sulfur in the water really helps to heal it. Sulfur is used to make collagen, which keeps your skin healthy and smooth. Sulfur also helps with dry scalp, arthritis, and other possible medical conditions.
The heat helps with nasal congestion and digestion problems.
The heat and steam rises to your sinuses, clearing out the pathway. The saltwater is what helps the digestion tract. Something else along these same lines, hot springs can help exercise your autonomic nervous system as well as stabilise your endocrine system. Detoxification of oils and dead cells can occur through you sweating it all out.
Research sourced by https://www.nzhotpools.co.nz/2016/11/5-therapeutic-benefits-hot-spring-pools-didnt-know-getting/
Health benefits of being in nature:
Improves your mood
Nature can be a very strong mood enhancer, helping many people across the globe to feel happier every day. In one study, published in the science journal PLOS One, those that interacted with nature routinely showed a significant increase in their own happiness. This effect lasted not only for the entire duration of their study, but for months after the study was finished.
Makes you healthier
Being out in nature also makes you healthier, in a number of different ways. For example, being out in nature exposes you to phytoncides, airborne chemicals that plants produce to protect themselves from insects. However, by breathing in these chemicals, you actually increase the activity of certain types of tumour and virus-killing white blood cells.
Reduces stress
Being outside amongst nature can also reduce the amount of stress you feel. One study found that people who were exposed to a forest environment had lower levels of cortisol – a hormone that is often used as a marker for stress. The conclusion of that study? “Stressful states can be relieved by forest therapy”
Increases focus
Nature is also widely known to help improve focus. Focus is something that is severely lacking for many of us, as our lives get increasingly busier with jobs, school and family life. Mental fatigue is real, but one thing that can help you to focus more is exposing yourself to restorative environments. Restorative environments were found to have increased the attention span of people who were exposed to them over those that weren’t.
Enhances cognitive function
Spending time in the great outdoors can also have a restorative effect on the human psyche. People with mental health issues, such as depression, were found to have reported an increase in their own mood. Other cognitive benefits of being outside in nature include increased working memory performance, as well as decreased anxiety and rumination.
Research sourced from https://www.bathingsolutions.co.uk/blog/health/benefits-of-nature/
How To Draw The Ultimate Healing Bath
The water temperature shouldn’t too far exceed your own body temperature. While a hot bath feels great, a warm bath is better for your skin and immune system. Add oils like rose, lavender, calendula, aloe, oil, or coconut and also oatmeal for your skin. Epsom salt is great for your muscles and reducing any chances of infection. Keep part of your body, like your face, out of the water to prevent over-heating. Soak for 10-15 minutes, breathe, relax, enjoy. – https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/beauty-products/a18673205/hot-baths-benefits/
Spatial Fabrication 