Soaking in Hot Springs

Hot springs, with their mineral-rich water, have long been known for their numerous health benefits. Compared to ordinary water sources, hot springs offer a wide array of advantages including pain relief by alleviating muscle aches and joint discomfort. The mineral content in hot springs boosts blood circulation and promotes healing for various skin irritations and conditions. Furthermore, hot springs have been found to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress levels, promote relaxation and increase overall well-being.

Participating in Aquatic Exercise

Make a splash with a fitness routine that incorporates aquatic exercise. Whether it’s swimming, water aerobics, or aqua yoga, water offers a low-impact way to build strength, improve cardiovascular health and increase flexibility. Its buoyancy also reduces joint strain, making it a suitable option for individuals of all fitness levels.

Trying Sauna Sessions

The heat therapy of a steam sauna reduces stress, relaxes muscles and improves circulation. The moist heat in steam saunas also opens pores for skin cleansing, while sweating facilitates detoxification and boosts immunity. Steam saunas also alleviate congestion, improve breathing and provide respiratory relief.

Starting Hot and Cold Plunges

Invigorating hot and cold plunges alternate between soaking in hot and cold water, stimulating circulation, reducing inflammation, aiding in muscle recovery and boosting energy levels. Incorporating this practice into daily routines or treating yourself to a spa resort day that includes hydrotherapy treatments offers a refreshing and revitalizing experience.

Bathing in Salt Soaks

Epsom salt, a mineral-rich compound of magnesium and sulfate, offers numerous benefits such as pain relief, inflammation reduction, detoxification, skin improvement and stress relief. It is commonly used in baths, soaking and showering to experience its soothing and revitalizing effects, making it a popular choice for promoting overall well-being.

Prioritizing Hydration

Don’t forget the simplest and most essential form of water wellness – staying hydrated. Sip on water throughout the day to support your body’s functions and boost energy levels. Not only does dehydration affect your physical health leading to headaches, fatigue and dizziness, but it can also impact your mental health as well, like cognitive performance, mood and anxiety levels. Trip: Keep a reusable water bottle handy to ensure you stay hydrated, inside and out.

Water is not just a basic necessity – it’s a vital source of replenishment and revitalization that can help you thrive in the new year. Cheers to a year filled with water wellness!

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What is Epsom Salt:

Epsom salt is not actually salt, however, it does resemble the mineral in that it is a crystalline solid and soluble in water. However, Epsom salt is actually a naturally occurring mineral-rich compound of magnesium and sulfate. The name originated from Epsom, England, a town where it was first discovered in the local water in the 1600s. 

Uses of Epsom Salt:

• Pain relief: Epsom salt baths have many muscle-soothing benefits and can help relieve pain, which can be beneficial for sore muscles, bronchial asthma and migraine headaches. 
• Inflammation reduction: Dissolving in water, Epsom salts release magnesium ions that can aid in reducing inflammation in tissues and joints, offering relief from swelling for individuals with conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory ailments.
• Detoxification: Epsom salt can also aid in removing toxins from the body. When added to bathwater, the salt’s minerals draw out harmful toxins and salt out of the body through the highly porous membrane of the skin.
• Skin Improvement: The skin benefits of epsom salt vary, including exfoliation, improved skin texture and added hydration. Plus, it can help alleviate the symptoms from common skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne by drawing out toxins and impurities.
• Stress relief: Epsom salt baths aid in enhancing mood, relaxation and sleep quality by replenishing magnesium levels in the body, which can be depleted by stress and increased adrenaline.

How to Use Epsom Salt:

• Bathing: Epsom salt is most commonly used dissolved in water for bathing. To do so, pour about 2 cups of Epsom salt into a bathtub with warm water. Many spas incorporate the use of Epsom salt or saline pools, allowing guests to experience the benefits.

• Soaking: Epsom salts can also be combined with water to soak certain areas of the body that need the added benefits, most commonly the feet. To do this, fill a bowl with warm water and dissolve a few tablespoons of Epsom salts (depending on the size of the bowl).

• Showering: Another at-home use includes Epsom salt as a scrub for the shower. Combine Epsom salt and olive oil or coconut oil to create a paste. Add in essential oils for added aromatherapy benefits.

As we celebrate World Bathing Day this June, it is important to remember the cultural traditions associated with the act of bathing and how beneficial it can be for our physical and mental wellness. Bathing in Epsom salt baths or pools is just one of the many ways to increase your connection to water. Bathing in hot springs and mineral water is also a great reminder of the link between our overall well-being and our planet.

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Soakember is not just a one-day event, but a moment to stop and appreciate the incredible health benefits of hot springs. Taking a dip in natural hot spring waters is not only relaxing but can benefit your physical and mental health as well. Soaking can boost blood circulation through the many minerals found in natural waters, such as calcium and sodium bicarbonate, which support overall oxygen flow and circulation when absorbed in the body. The elevated levels of sulfur have also been known to soothe and heal skin irritations and conditions with their antifungal and antibacterial properties. Mineral-rich, warm waters also provide natural pain relief, help with rehabilitation for sore muscles and tight joints, and can increase range of movement and flexibility.  

Additionally, Soakember highlights hydrotherapy and the ways water can be utilized to treat a variety of physical symptoms. Hydrothermal therapy, having been practiced for centuries, alternates soaking in water at different temperatures to achieve certain goals. Hot water practices, like hot springs, jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas, have been shown to treat joint pain, skin conditions and sore muscles by dilating the blood vessels, bringing oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the source. The heat can also be used as a detox for the body, moving toxins through the lymphatic system. Cold water, on the other hand, stimulates the blood vessels further helping with blood circulation and can trigger the nervous system, which, when practiced over time, can improve mental health like depression and anxiety. 

If you are unable to dip in water this Soakember, taking part in nature-based wellness activities near water, such as walking or hiking, are also shown to reduce stress and anxiety, lower heart and breathing rates, and increase overall well-being and happiness. If a body of water is inaccessible, adding the sound of running water while doing yoga, meditation or sound baths is a wonderful way to still connect to and reap the benefits of water.  

To celebrate Soakember this month with Glen Ivy and hot springs around the world, visit soakember.com to learn how you can participate on November 11. 

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Throughout the history of humanity, water has been a symbol for cleansing and new beginnings. World Bathing Day acknowledges this symbolic aspect of water and encourages people to celebrate throughout the year by bathing. Soaking, whether in pools, hot springs or spas, has numerous wellness benefits. It can help improve the quality of sleep, relieve muscle pain, burn calories, soothe irritated skin and support heart health. These benefits can be taken even further when combined with other beneficial treatments like mud baths which can draw out impurities from the skin, exfoliate dead skin cells, relieve arthritic pain and relax sore joints and muscles. 

The beauty of bathing is that it can be as active or relaxing as you choose to make it and can be done alongside loved ones and the community, allowing you to reconnect. World Bathing Day serves as a reminder to all to celebrate water, its diverse benefits and the connections it can bring.

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Whether female or male, it’s evident that athletes push themselves to their limits and test their bounds, both physically and mentally. Athletes not only leave it all on the court or field, but spend countless hours training and practicing in order to be in peak shape. As renowned tennis player Billie Jean King once said, “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” When putting your body through such intense games and workouts, the rest and recovery period is just as important. Rest days are crucial as they allow the muscles to prepare for the next workout and lessen physical fatigue.

Recovery for athletes can involve several different practices, but one common recovery strategy is contrast bath therapy. This practice includes brief immersions in water, alternating between hot and cold temperatures. Soaking in cold water causes the capillaries, or small blood vessels, in your body to decrease in size and the opposite happens when soaking in hot water, causing your capillaries to open up. This rapid contrast in temperature causes the blood vessels to pulse or pump in a way which is believed to help relieve several injury symptoms that athletes are prone to. Other benefits of this hot/cold therapy include reducing muscle fatigue, relieving muscle soreness and decreasing swelling–all issues that athletes face on a regular basis. 

In addition to bathing circuits, other recovery strategies for athletes can include foam-rolling, refueling your body with healthy foods and practicing active recovery post workouts. Active recovery might sound redundant, but continuing parts of your workout in slower movements and lower intensity promotes blood flow, reduces inflammation and helps build endurance by keeping your heart at a steadier rate. Additional recovery practices, like incorporating a consistent yoga or meditation practice, can also help manage stress and keep athletes calm. 

All in all, just like every athlete’s body and training is different, recovery is not finite and looks different for everyone. Regardless of the sport or activity, it’s evident that recovery is a key component to not only helping athletes obtain peak performance, but to also help prevent physical burnout and keep their bodies in optimal health.

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Hydrotherapy is defined simply as the treatment of ailments through the use of water and has been around for centuries. Hydrothermal therapy, a facet of hot springs, similarly utilizes the same healing properties of water but has the added effect of temperature. With hot spring soaking dating as far back as Ancient Egypt and other ancient cultures, the medicinal and therapeutic use of water has clearly proven to be more than effective over the years. The benefits of natural hot springs are numerous and include boosting blood flow, improving circulation and immunity, reducing stress and anxiety, relieving pain, and treating the skin with minerals and nutrients, just to name a few.  

Glen Ivy Hot Springs, with its own rich hydrothermal history, got its start long ago as sacred lands which local Native American tribes would visit seasonally for the water’s healing powers. The tribe that visited the springs believed the waters there had the ability to heal the body, mind and spirit. Years later, when transportation was more accessible, an adobe inn was built at the hot springs site and began attracting visitors both near and far, catapulting the longstanding history and tradition of soaking at Glen Ivy. Since then, Glen Ivy has transformed a number of times and received a few new looks, but its mineral rich waters have consistently remained a unifying destination for guests from all over California and beyond. The springs at Glen Ivy not only offer the ultimate relaxation and wellness experience, but welcome all visitors seeking the many benefits and community of soaking. To participate with Glen Ivy and other hot springs around the world, join the Soakember virtual movement on November 12 at soakember.com!

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As one of the largest natural mineral springs spas in the United States, Glen Ivy is pleased to join the community in sharing the benefits of bathing and the importance of clean water for all. The 19 pools housed at Glen Ivy provide different benefits to keep your mind, body and spirit healthy and strong. The Mineral Baths and Saline Pool provide relaxation and rejuvenation of skin, muscles and joints, the Hot and Cold Plunge pools kickstart circulation and boost cardiovascular health, and a jump in the Lap Pool helps build strength and endurance by participation in one of the many aqua classes that Glen Ivy provides. In addition to these bathing opportunities, there are many other therapeutic pools that offer restorative gain and scenic views throughout the property.

The wellness benefits of immersion in water is endless at Glen Ivy Hot Springs. Whether celebrating with us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs or in the comfort of your own home, we look forward to honoring World Bathing Day with you!

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Around the world on June 22, the hot springs community will take to the pools at dawn for a commemorative sunrise bathing session. Glen Ivy Hot Springs invites Club 1860 members to join its sunrise bathing event in the Vista Pool in unity. Participants will experience Glen Ivy’s Vista Pool like never before while watching the sun rise and illuminate Temescal Valley. The moment will be documented on social media to raise awareness for World Bathing Day. 

All day on World Bathing Day, spa goers at Glen Ivy will experience a day of wellness and education surrounding the rituals related to water. Guests have the chance to experience firsthand the enhancing effects of bathing on the mind and body while exploring the grounds and engaging in yoga and meditation. 

Take this as your invite to join us and the global hot springs community in celebrating World Bathing Day on June 22.  Whether celebrating with us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs or in the comfort of your own home, we look forward to honoring this wellness holiday together!

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On World Bathing Day, hot springs in 50 countries will join forces to celebrate water, is rituals and bathing traditions. Glen Ivy Hot Springs is proud to stand with the global hot springs community to shine a light on the power of water for health, community and culture, while also raising awareness for the World’s population who does not have access to clean water.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs is celebrating World Bathing Day at the spa, and virtually on social media to amplify World Bathing Day’s message across California and the United States. Guests visiting the resort will get to spend a day bathing in minerals water and receiving the benefits of bathing first hand. Fans following online will be able to watch original videos with wellness influencers who will be teaching ritual baths to recreate at home and a sound bath meditation to help set an intention for the day.

We invite you to join us and the global hot springs community in celebrating World Bathing Day on June 22. Whether you celebrate with us at the spa or on social media, we look forward to honoring this wellness holiday together!

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Hydrotherapy is at the core of Glen Ivy Hot Springs’ wellness experience, from bathing in mineral hot springs to contrast therapy and saline pool soaks. A comprehensive wellness lifestyle, however, takes an integrated approach that combines treatments, skincare, and lifestyle – diet, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and more – to make a real change in the skin and reveal its beauty and vitality.

Glen Ivy partnered with [ comfort zone ] to create a series of Wellness Workshops that address prominent wellness themes that can be introduced into a daily lifestyle. The first workshop, Feed Your Skin, focused on holistic nutrition counselling that identified foods to supplement a healthy skincare routine. Christine Lee, a master trainer from [ comfort zone ], introduced various snacks and ingredients that are powerful in feeding the skin to promote hydration and combat oxidation and inflammation from within.

Foods for hydration: Water is essential to hydration. 80% of water should be consumed through liquids, and 20% should be consumed through solid foods. In addition, ingredients with Hyaluronic Acid promote hydration.

• Water-packed foods: Cucumbers, celery, watermelon, green bell peppers
• Hyaluronic acid: Starchy root vegetables, bone broth, soy

Antioxidant-rich foods: Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene are powerful antioxidants and the body’s best allies to stay strong and healthy.

• Vitamin C: Berries, goji, broccoli, dark green leafy vegetables
• Vitamin E: Tofu, spinach, nuts, avocado, olive oil
• Beta-carotene: Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, melon

Anti-inflammatory foods: Certain foods cause internal inflammation, which renders the skin more sensitive. Omega-3 s and Prebiotic rich foods helped contrast inflammation and keep the immune system active to keep a healthy skin barrier.

• Omega 3s: Salmon, wild cold water fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts
• Prebiotics: Leeks, onions, oat, apple

2020 Wellness Workshop Schedule

April – Stress & Skin, Immune System Empowerment

May – Creating a More Plant-Based Diet

July – The Tranquillity Experience, The Tranquil Mind, Meditation, Connection of Stress to Skin

August – Living in Seasons Harmony

October – Self-Massage: Benefits and How-To

For more information and to sign up for a Wellness Workshop, please call 888-453-6489.

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