Mineral wisdom
Healing through knowledge: Your wellness resource
Healing through knowledge: Your wellness resource
Unlock the Secrets to Wellness
Health and Wellness Reads
Wade into articles on wellness, the benefits of a therapeutic soak, best practices for your visit, and more.
The Top Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing
on Jan 3, 2025 | 3 minutes
The Top Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing Many people incorporate a hot shower into their daily or evening routine. The cascading water and steam can unwind your mind and relax your body. The next time you are at a wellness destination or gym, don't wait to bathe until you get home—take advantage of the onsite sauna benefits. Sauna bathing is one of WorldSprings’ amenities, and it’s a ritual worth exploring. Here’s what you should know about this wellness experience. How Do Saunas Work? Except for built-in benches, a sauna is an almost empty room typically made of wood. The interior is kept at a sizzling 170 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. Although hot showers and saunas both produce steam, saunas are typically much drier. The Finnish saunas at WorldSprings disperse dry heat. Hot stones, electric heaters, infrared lights, and wood-burning stoves are common sources of dry heat in saunas. Water poured over hot stones creates a steamy environment, but otherwise, the humidity is kept low, specifically between 10% and 20%. The lack of moisture in a Finnish sauna can make the heat feel even more intense. These temperatures are considered extreme for the body, so people with certain medical conditions, such as heart issues or diabetes, should consult a doctor first. They might be advised to limit their time in the heat and follow a cooling-down process afterward. Individuals who have difficulty regulating body temperature might also be advised to limit or avoid sauna bathing. Sitting in a sauna will make you sweat, which can cause dehydration. To remain hydrated, drink at least one glass of water beforehand and avoid consuming alcohol, which contributes to dehydration and could make you feel overheated. Don't eat a large meal before bathing in the sauna to avoid feeling nauseated. What Health Benefits Do Saunas Offer? Improves Cardiovascular Health Sauna bathing will make your heart happier in various ways. The heat causes the body to sweat profusely. Your body tries to regulate its temperature for relief from the heat. In doing so, the heart beats faster. The quickened pace dilates blood vessels, which helps increase circulation and lower blood pressure. Research shows that downtime in a sauna can lower the levels of LDL ("bad cholesterol") while giving HDL ("good cholesterol") levels a boost. High HDL levels do a better job of filtering out the bad cholesterol, lowering the risk of cardiovascular issues. Cardiovascular respiratory fitness levels are another factor that influences whether an individual may develop heart disease. Sauna bathing can help raise these levels, which is why you shouldn’t forgo post-workout heat therapy. Reduces Stress Sauna bathing helps keep stress hormones in check to help you feel more at ease. For instance, having less of the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream aids immune system function. Feeling less stressed reduces inflammation and helps maintain white blood cell count to minimize the risk of infections. Alleviates Common Respiratory Issues Sauna bathing can provide relief to individuals who have chronic lung issues. Just like heat causes blood vessels to dilate, the intense temperatures can also open tight airways to make it easier for individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues to breathe. Regular sauna-bathing sessions may even keep the common cold at bay. As mentioned, sauna bathing strengthens your immune system. Sweating helps flush toxins out of the body. Sitting in a sauna also helps break up mucus to prevent congestion that affects your lungs and nasal passages. Reduces Joint Pain Sauna bathing can help alleviate the joint pain associated with arthritis. Inflammation triggers this discomfort, as the immune system sees the tissue around the joints as a foreign invader. In response, the immune system prompts the painful swelling. A respite in a sauna can provide an immune boost and lower the risk of inflammation. Sauna bathing is a great element to add to your workout routine (or after you've mowed the lawn or participated in other strenuous chores around the house) to ease muscle tension. The heat opens blood vessels to deliver oxygenated blood straight to stressed muscles. The blood helps the tears heal faster. Experience Sauna Bathing at WorldSprings When you search online for "a sauna near me" or "spa with sauna near me," you are only a few clicks away from experiencing all that WorldSprings offers. Indulge in Finnish sauna bathing in one of the birch-lined barrels or rectangular-style enclosures. The wellness destination also boasts mineral hot springs for a relaxing soak and cold plunge pools for an invigorating, icy pick-me-up. Book your visit to WorldSprings to start your wellness journey.
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How Soaking in a Hot Springs Pool Boosts Body Immunity
on Jan 6, 2025 | 5 minutes
How Soaking in a Hot Springs Pool Boosts Body Immunity Soaking in mineral hot springs is a soothing, restorative experience. But while relaxation is a major reason why springs enthusiasts keep returning for routine soaks, there are some less obvious benefits that make mineral springs ideal for whole-body wellness. Here, we explore how mineral pools can boost your body’s immunity through several key mechanisms. The importance of immunity for your health What is body immunity? The immune system is the body’s defense against pathogens, bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other potentially harmful invaders. This complex network is made up of many different components, including your organs, tissues, cells, and microbes, all of which work together to target and neutralize threats. You also have several subsets of body immunity, including: Physical barriers, such as your skin and mucosa lining The rapid-acting innate immune system The adaptive immune system, which targets specific pathogens precisely and retains memory of past infections for the future The innate immune system is your body’s way of attacking invaders indiscriminately. It’s made up of natural killer cells that act as a first line of defense. This system also triggers inflammation, an important response to injuries and infections. On the other hand, the adaptive immune system is more specialized and involves white blood cells called lymphocytes. There are several types of lymphocytes, including T-cells—which target infected cells and regulate immune response—and B-cells, which create antibodies to fight specific pathogens. Why is it important to maintain strong body immunity? Coordination between well-functioning innate and adaptive immunity ensures a robust defense against viruses, bacteria, and other illness-causing agents. At the same time, a properly functioning immune system prevents your body from going after healthy tissue through mechanisms like immune tolerance. This dynamic, multifaceted system not only protects you against illness, but also maintains your overall health. How winter affects the body’s immune system If it seems like you get sick more often or severely during the winter months, it’s not your imagination. There are multiple factors that affect immunity this time of year, including cooler weather itself. When temperatures drop, blood vessels in your skin constrict to conserve heat. This, in turn, reduces blood flow and immune cell circulation to critical areas, like your respiratory tract. Colder weather also comes with reduced humidity, which can leave your mucus membranes drier and impact their ability to trap pathogens. It then becomes easier for infections to take hold, leading to the common cold and flu. Additionally, most people tend to spend more time indoors when winter arrives. This can significantly increase your exposure to airborne viruses and bacteria, particularly in crowded areas with poor ventilation. Seasonal variations in sunlight exposure can also play a role in reduced wintertime immunity. Lower levels of sunlight may lead to a drop in the production of vitamin D, a key nutrient for immune function. This combination of environmental conditions creates the perfect storm for increased viral activity. Add seasonal stressors to the mix, and your body may become even less efficient at maintaining optimal immunity. How soaking in a hot springs pool boosts body immunity While it may not be the first reason you’re searching for “hot springs near me,” visiting WorldSprings could give your immune system an added boost. Nutrient-Rich Water Our mineral pools are loaded with immune-boosting nutrients, including: Magnesium Calcium Potassium Bicarbonate While you can certainly get some of these minerals through diet, soaking in our hot springs allows you to deliver them to your immune system through skin absorption. Soothing Heat Our mineral pools also deliver a distinct warming effect to your entire body. Heat can help strengthen your body’s immune response in a number of ways. Heat improves circulation by causing the walls of your blood vessels to relax, creating an effect known as vasodilation. When this happens, blood flow increases, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to key areas, while also supporting the removal of waste products. Increased heat also has therapeutic effects that could boost your immunity indirectly. For example, soaking in mineral hot springs reduces stiffness and discomfort in sore muscles by enhancing the delivery of oxygen-rich blood and eliminating inflammatory substances. Heat from mineral pools can promote overall body relaxation, encourage better sleep, and reduce stress, all of which support your immune system. Globally Inspired Mineral Baths & Holistic Wellness Amenities WorldSprings is home to mineral baths inspired by locations around the world, allowing guests to enjoy mind and body benefits in a serene setting. While our mineral pools are certainly a great place to start for immune support, our facilities have much more to offer. Our saunas can deliver therapeutic effects, by stimulating your body’s production of heat shock proteins, which aid in cellular repair and enhance cells’ resistance to stress. Saunas also promote vasodilation, which improves circulation and reduces inflammation. Visit WorldSprings for a true relaxation experience. Whether you prefer soaking in hot springs or the soothing heat of a sauna, you'll enjoy immune-boosting benefits and a comfortable, luxurious experience.
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HSA/FSA Eligibility at WorldSprings
on Dec 16, 2024 | 5
Book at WorldSprings with HSA/FSA Funds At WorldSprings, we believe that soaking in mineral hot springs and using saunas may help you sleep better, de-stress, and contribute to your overall health. Through our collaboration with Truemed, eligible customers can now use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds on soak reservations, memberships, massages, and performance therapies. This means you may be eligible to soak with pre-tax dollars, resulting in average net savings of 30%. Getting reimbursed for WorldSprings purchases from your HSA/FSA is easy, follow these steps! Take a 2-minute evaluation survey from Truemed that will be reviewed by a licensed practitioner. It's just $15. If eligible, Truemed's licensed practitioners will issue you a Letter of Medical Necessity (similar to a doctor writing a prescription). The letter will cover 12 months of reimbursements at WorldSprings! (soak admission, memberships, massages, and performance therapies) Truemed will send you instructions to obtain reimbursement from your HSA/FSA administrators. Make your purchase at WorldSprings with your debit or credit card, and save your receipt for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA Find out if you qualify by filling out the evaluation survey If you have difficulty submitting a claim for reimbursement, reach out to [email protected] and Truemed will provide the information that your HSA/FSA administrator is requesting
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How Soaking in a Hot Spring Pool Can Help Prevent Cold & Flu
on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes
How Soaking in a Hot Spring Pool Can Help Prevent Colds and Flu Fall might bring cooler days, brightly colored leaves, and ubiquitous pumpkin spice, but it also means the arrival of cold and flu season. As we start spending more time indoors, germs have more opportunities to spread, and it won’t be long before it seems like everyone is coughing, sniffling, and sneezing. We’ve all learned some cold and flu prevention tips over the last few years, from masking up in public to washing our hands more often. But even when you take precautions, there’s a chance you’ll get sick. When you do, visiting a hot springs facility like WorldSprings can help alleviate your symptoms and help you feel better faster. Navigating the Cold and Flu Season COVID-19 might have been the star of the show for the last few years, but that doesn’t mean the viruses that cause colds and the flu have disappeared. In fact, there are more than 200 different respiratory viruses that can cause cold symptoms, as well as dozens of influenza viruses. The viruses that cause the common cold are highly contagious. They can spread through the air, close personal contact with an infected person, or by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface with the virus on it. Millions of people get colds every year. Symptoms range from mild nasal congestion and a runny nose to coughing, sneezing, a headache, sore throat, and body aches. In most cases, a cold doesn’t cause a fever; a fever is typically a sign that you have the flu or a more severe illness. Most people would rather avoid getting a cold since the virus can make them miserable, and symptoms last up to two weeks. Regular handwashing, not touching your face, and wearing a mask can help stop the spread of the nasty germs, but you can do even more to boost your immune system and get through the winter without a cold, leaving you down for the count. How a Hot Springs Pool Can Help Reduce Cold & Flu Symptoms Relaxing in a hot spring pool can do wonders for your mood and overall well-being. Soaking in warm water can help you sleep better since warm water can trigger a relaxation response. While you soak, your body temperature increases; when you leave the pool, your body temperature drops, which signals your body that it’s time to sleep. When you don’t feel well, a relaxing soak in warm water can help ease your aches and pains and provide a few additional benefits that can prevent and soothe your symptoms. Immune System Boost Slipping into a hot springs pool for a relaxing soak can give your immune system a much-needed boost to fight off infectious germs. But do hot soaks boost the immune system? They do! For starters, hot water can create a “false fever” by elevating your body temperature, which can stop cold viruses from reproducing and making you sick. If you already have a cold, warming your body can help shorten its duration. Soaking in hot water can also increase circulation, which also helps strengthen your immune system and make you feel better. Increasing your body temperature causes blood vessels to dilate, which supports better blood flow and delivers more oxygen to your organs. This can help increase production of the white blood cells that can fight off an infection. Just the simple act of relaxing in the pool can also help support your immune system. When you’re stressed, your immune system doesn’t respond as well to the stress hormone cortisol. Not only does this make you more susceptible to colds, but it can also worsen your symptoms. Adding frequent hot springs soaks to your self-care routine can help you stay healthy even when surrounded by germs. Finally, soaking in mineral springs can deliver a powerful boost of beneficial minerals that help support a healthy immune system. Your skin can absorb the minerals in the water, including immune-boosting magnesium, sulfur, potassium, iron, and zinc, which can help you fight off colds and the flu. Respiratory Benefits Research shows that dry air contributes to the spread of cold and flu germs, in some part because it dries out your nasal passages and makes them more vulnerable to viruses. Spending time in a hot springs pool with steam can add much-needed moisture, which can help you avoid getting sick and relieve congestion if you feel like you’re coming down with something. Extra moisture in the air opens your nasal passages so you can breathe easier and loosens mucus to clear out the congestion more easily. Hydration It might seem counterintuitive, but spending time in hot springs can contribute to dehydration, making you feel worse when you’re sick and leaving you more vulnerable to illness. Staying hydrated during cold and flu season is essential to prevent infection and help alleviate your symptoms. Visit WorldSprings As Part of Your Winter Wellness Plan With cold and flu season right around the corner, it’s time to start taking precautions to avoid getting sick this winter. Schedule a visit to WorldSprings to relax and give yourself the gift of a stronger immune system.
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Why a Hot Springs Pool Makes the Perfect Holiday Getaway
on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes
Why a Hot Springs Pool Makes the Perfect Holiday Getaway Holidays present the perfect opportunity to relax and get away from the bustle of daily life. Even so, that time off can be stressful — especially if you’re juggling travel plans, family visits, and a whole new list of to-do’s. So why not take a day to yourself to truly focus on your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing? Soaking in a hot spring pool has many benefits, especially during times of increased stress and fatigue. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, rejuvenating retreat or a tranquil place to soothe tired muscles, a hot springs getaway is an excellent way to make the holidays more enjoyable. 5 Ways a Hot Springs Soak Can Boost Your Holiday Enjoyment 1. Reduced Stress The holiday season, while exciting and joyful, can be taxing. Between shopping in crowded stores, rushing to finish last-minute work obligations, navigating family conflicts, and the stress of traveling, it’s not unusual for some to feel mentally and emotionally exhausted by the end of their break. Finding ways to unwind and alleviate stress can significantly improve your holiday experience, giving you the calm and serene feeling you deserve during your time off. Hot springs getaways may be the answer to your holiday stress. There’s a reason we associate warm baths with self-care — they allow us to clear our minds, turn off our stress response, and let our bodies truly relax. A hot springs pool provides the added benefit of a soothing, spa-like atmosphere and mineral-rich waters. Once you book your time at a hot spring, there’s no more need to rush. You can sit back, relax, and let the tension of the holidays melt away. 2. Pain Relief Traveling puts a lot of physical stress on the body, even when you aren’t moving much yourself. Sitting in a cramped car or plane for hours at a time keeps your blood from circulating properly, especially in your legs, feet, and ankles. This can lead to swelling and achy joints and muscles that follow you throughout the festivities. A mineral hot spring soak may ease some of that tension and bring much-needed relief. The warmth loosens stiff joints and muscles, while the buoyancy removes external pressures from your body and helps you relax. The minerals in hot spring water, such as the chloride, magnesium, and sodium of our Dead Sea pool, can also help relieve joint pain and inflammation. 3. Muscle Recovery Athletes enjoying their time off can benefit from rest and recovery over the holidays. For active individuals, rest days are an essential part of a healthy exercise routine. Taking some downtime gives your body the chance to heal and build muscle. Allowing your body to recover also reduces your risk of overuse injuries. Dedicating one of your rest days to a hot springs visit can substantially improve your recovery. Warm or hot water is known to dilate your blood vessels, a process called vasodilation. This improves blood flow, supplying oxygen and other necessary nutrients to tissues throughout the body. Better circulation contributes to reduced swelling and faster recovery. 4. Enhanced Sleep Quality Many people hope to use their time off to catch up on sleep, but in reality, you might be losing it. According to a 2022 survey, 43% of adults sleep less during the holiday season. This is generally due to holiday preparations, late night parties, travel fatigue, and stress. Studies have extensively shown that those who take warm baths are likely to have better quality sleep. Mineral hot springs can provide the same benefit, with the added advantages of having rejuvenating, pain-relieving, and stress-relieving qualities. If the holidays are stressing you out to the point of losing sleep, going for a hot springs soak could help you fall asleep and stay asleep easier at night. 5. Improved Mood During the rush and bustle of the holiday season, there’s little time to self-reflect and focus on your mental health. With so much added pressure, stress, and fatigue, it’s no wonder this time of year can be known for causing sour moods and flared tempers. If you need some time to yourself or to be alone with your partner, a hot springs holiday getaway might be the best way to reset your mental state. By soothing your body and mind, mineral hot springs can help improve your mood. You’ll leave calm, refreshed, and ready to face family festivities with a more relaxed and open mind. Visit WorldSprings: Your Path to Holiday Wellness Hot spring pools can have a profound impact on your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, no matter what the time of year. At WorldSprings, we welcome you to immerse yourself in our mineral-rich waters and enjoy the restorative effects of our regionally inspired pools. With varying temperatures and mineral balances, each soaking pool is designed to refresh and renew in different ways. If you want to bring the whole family, the little ones can enjoy the crystal-clear pools of the South Pacific region, where all ages are welcome. Book your visit to give yourself the gift of relaxation, or get a WorldSprings gift card for a loved one to promote wellness throughout the holiday season and beyond.
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Why Are Hot Springs Beneficial for Marathon Runners?
on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes
Why Are Hot Springs Beneficial for Marathon Runners? Participating in a marathon is a goal for numerous individuals. Seeing their perseverance, dedication and discipline pay off is just as rewarding to marathon runners as crossing the finish line. The BMW Marathon in Dallas is right around the corner. Leading up to this early December event (and year-round runs), make soaks in WorldSprings hot springs pools part of your pre-and post-marathon recovery. 5 Benefits of Hot Springs Mineral Baths for Marathon Runners In addition to calves and hamstrings in the legs, running also gives glutes, hip flexors, quads and core muscles a workout. The BMW Dallas Marathon is a 26.2-mile stretch, which means these muscles will feel the burn as you navigate the far-reaching course through Dallas neighborhoods. Training for numerous hours weekly is expected to build endurance and strength while curbing potential discomfort during the race. Soaking in hot springs pools helps prepare and recover from intense training sessions. In nature, the hot water dissolves minerals from the surrounding rocks. The high mineral content contributes to the health benefits of hot springs. WorldSprings is home to over 40 mineral hot springs across an expansive open-air complex divided into adults-only and all-access regions. The waters in each region contain different mineral makeups that boast different whole-body health and wellness benefits. 1. Boosts Circulation Your muscles require oxygenated blood to prevent your body from buckling while training and during the marathon. Running helps achieve this goal. Pounding the pavement causes your heart to beat faster. The quickened pace improves blood circulation and ensures oxygen keeps your muscles in the game. For a less strenuous way to help muscles power through intense training and the marathon, soak in hot springs mineral baths. The heat opens blood vessels for better circulation. The baths in the South Pacific, Asiatic and Americas regions contain bicarbonate. Once absorbed into the body, the mineral boosts blood and oxygen flow while acting as a janitor. The mineral stops the burning sensation in muscles that otherwise could bring the run to a screeching halt. Carbonate pulls excess hydrogen from muscles, increasing muscle pH to curb the burning sensation so muscles can endure the strain. 2. Soothes Sore Leg Muscles & Prevents Future Discomfort Soaking in hot water helps alleviate soreness. The water temperature in WorldSprings’ mineral hot baths ranges from the mid-80s to low 100s degrees Fahrenheit. The heat is a lifesaver when leg muscles are sore because the high temperatures reduce muscle stiffness, restoring flexibility. The stiffness contributes to muscle tightness, soreness and an increased risk of injury. After the impact of running on hard surfaces, floating in the low-resistance water takes the strain off sore joints and muscles for relief, too. Wading in the hot springs mineral baths before training or the marathon also benefits muscles. The heat causes blood vessels to open, which ramps up blood flow to muscles as a preemptive strike against future soreness. 3. Reduces Post-Training and Post-Marathon Inflammation Any stress put on the body causes inflammation, so muscle inflammation while training for a marathon is par for the course. Inflammation is a good thing because the dilation of blood vessels and the porosity of surrounding tissue create an open door for immune cells to reach the achy areas. Unfortunately, this immune system response can leave the affected areas swollen, red and in pain. Muscle soreness and inflammation are not the same. Hot mineral baths help alleviate soreness, while cold water reduces inflammation. A dip in WorldSprings’ cold plunges (kept at 55 degrees Fahrenheit) in the European, Asiatic and Americas regions is recommended for immediate post-training recovery and right after the marathon. The cold water compresses blood vessels to reduce swelling and discomfort. Soaking in the mineral hot springs later can further reduce lingering achiness. Potassium, specifically, when absorbed into the body aids muscle and joint recovery by helping keep electrolytes in balance. Potassium flows through the waters in the South Pacific, European, Asiatic and Americas regions at WorldSprings. 4. Promotes Mental and Whole-Body Wellness Getting the pre-marathon jitters is normal, and soaking in mineral hot springs can help restore a sense of calm to help keep your mind focused on the marathon goal. The magnesium in WorldSprings’ South Pacific, Dead Sea, Asiatic and Americas regions can help alleviate anxiety and stress. Reducing stress can lead to a better night’s sleep—which is vital for marathon runners to remain alert and energized. 5. Alleviates Foot Discomfort While wearing comfortable running shoes, feet will still take most of the force during an intense, long-distance run. At WorldSprings, you can soak your feet in cold water to ease swelling caused by inflammation and warm water to combat soreness and achiness in your feet and ankles. The hot water also opens blood vessels to increase flow in the lower half of the body.
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What is Social Wellness? | How to Improve Social Wellness
on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes
What Is Social Wellness? “Wellness” is a broad word with different meanings. Running and cycling enhance physical wellness to keep aches and pains at bay. Meditation and journaling are ways to manage feelings, boosting mental and emotional wellness. You might be familiar with the first few branches on the wellness tree, but have you heard of “social wellness”? Read on to satisfy your curiosity. Discover what it is, how to improve social wellness and why WorldSprings is an excellent destination for achieving this goal. What Is Social Wellness? Have you ever noticed that you get a pep in your step after socializing during fun activities with a group? That’s social wellness. Imagine it as the glue that binds the other types of wellness together. The concept stems from the idea that wanting to socialize with others is in our DNA. These interactions have particular benefits that fall into “physical,” “mental” and “emotional” categories. Emotional and Mental Impact of Social Wellness Solitude and isolation often accompany depression. Socializing in a group setting will help improve mental outlook. In fact, the interactions ramp up dopamine production—the neurotransmitter that evokes a feeling of happiness. People who exercise in a group are often less stressed, which is another win for emotional wellness. Visiting a spa-like setting affords the opportunity to improve social wellness, fostering a love of interacting with others. The tranquil atmosphere aids relaxation, which can help shake off social anxiety. The intimate setting prompts deeper conversations with others, fostering long-lasting friendships that provide a sense of community and emotional support. A component of social wellness is the ability to provide emotional support to others, too. Being a source of comfort increases one’s sense of belonging and purpose, aiding emotional wellness. Physical Impact of Social Wellness Many individuals find it challenging to stick to their wellness practice (such as attending a cardio class or blocking time to unplug and relax). Continuing is much easier when a team is in place to help cross the finish line. The group encourages one another to work harder to achieve goals and provides emotional support when needed. Socializing can make physical activities more enjoyable. Riding on the elliptical machine isn’t as monotonous when others are nearby to talk to while working out. Beyond nurturing a can-do, team-spirit attitude, breaking a sweat with a group can help you stay fit—aiding your physical wellness. How WorldSprings Promotes Social Wellness Fosters a Desire for Exploration WorldSprings comprises three social wellness destinations designed for relaxation and rejuvenation, including WorldSprings Dallas, Iron Mountain Hot Springs and Zion Canyon Hot Springs (coming soon). Whichever location you choose, expect to leave with a clearer, more positive outlook and a feeling of belonging in a community that offers emotional support. Soaking in the soothing mineral hot springs with a group of friends reinforces and improves emotional connections. Exploring the sprawling facilities solo is also worth considering. Let spontaneity and the desire to interact with others help you navigate the social wellness destinations. You’ll meet interesting people and bond over the shared experience. These newfound connections might make you rethink existing friendships. Prioritizing breaking the bonds of negative relationships leaves space to allow positive friendships to enter your life. Promotes a Community Atmosphere The facilities feature numerous communal spaces, meaning you will always encounter other individuals during your visit to the social wellness destination. For instance, intimate seating in the mineral baths encourages visitors to communicate with their neighbors. Families can explore areas open to all age groups. Allowing your children to interact with other kids helps build their self-esteem and instill social skills—making it easier for them to understand the importance of social wellness as they age. The adults-only areas offer the chance to relax and socialize away from the hustle and bustle of the family-focused sections. Provides Opportunities for Interaction WorldSprings offers numerous social wellness activities, which gives shy individuals a chance to break out of their shells. During the day, visitors are encouraged to socialize during yoga and initiate conversations while lounging in the cabanas, sweating out toxins in the saunas, splashing around in the globe pool, dining at the café and sipping cocktails at the bar. Visitors can gather around the fire pit to share stories and reflect on the experience after the sun goes down. WorldSprings Takes a Holistic Approach to Whole-Body Wellness Socializing at the WorldSprings’ facilities can help you achieve a mind-body balance. The social wellness destination is sectioned into distinct regions to appeal to various interests and wellness needs. For instance, the cold plunge pools in the Americas, European and Asiatic regions help reduce inflammation and relieve sore muscles. Alleviating physical pain can benefit emotional and mental wellness and vice versa. The icy dip can also help you sleep better at night and wake with a cheery disposition.
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How a Hot Springs Soak Can Improve Sleep Quality
on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes
How a Hot Springs Soak Can Improve Sleep Quality Is there anything better than waking up after a great night of sleep, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day? Unfortunately, too many of us don’t get enough restful sleep every night. The CDC reports that about one in three adults don’t get enough sleep at night, despite the importance of adequate shuteye for overall health and well-being. Research shows that many people reach for sleep aids when they can’t drift off, even when tired. While there’s nothing wrong with occasionally using melatonin or a prescription sleep medication, relying on sleep aids every night can eventually make it harder to fall asleep naturally. While sleep experts recommend various natural methods to support healthy sleep, like powering down devices a few hours before bed, there’s significant evidence that soaking in hot springs can do wonders for sleep quality. The Physical Benefits of a Hot Springs Soak Before Bed Imagine slipping into a pool of warm water and allowing your body to float while you let your mind wander. Just the thought of it is relaxing, right? Soaking in hot water benefits more than your mind. Your body can also respond to the warm water in a way that helps you get to sleep. You might not realize it, but your body temperature is a critical element of your sleep cycle and influences how quickly you fall asleep and the overall quality of your rest. This is because your body temperature influences your Circadian rhythms, or natural sleep/wake cycle. Your temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day, dropping by as much as a degree when it’s time for bed and continuing to go down until you reach the deepest point of sleep. Your temperature then slowly increases again, helping you wake up and start the day. So, what does a hot bath before bed have to do with this? Soaking in hot water before bedtime triggers more blood circulation to your extremities, which helps regulate your internal temperature. Your body naturally dissipates heat into the warm water, lowering your core temperature faster. This rapid cooldown triggers your sleep cycle, making you feel sleepier, fall asleep more quickly, and sleep deeper. This isn’t the only health benefit of hot water soaks before bed. Unwinding in hot springs can also help you sleep better by: Encouraging Relaxation A warm soak alleviates the day’s tensions and stresses by allowing you to relax and be mindful of the moment. Soaking supports relaxing behaviors; for example, you’re more likely to put your phone away and enjoy a pleasant conversation or just let your mind drift, which can help you feel calmer and less anxious before bed. Pain Reduction Soaking in water helps reduce pain by relaxing your muscles and joints. There’s also evidence that soaking in hot water can help reduce the amount of lactic acid in your muscles, which can lessen pain and stiffness. Chronic pain is closely tied to sleep disruptions, so anything you can do to reduce discomfort can support better sleep. How to Get the Most Health Benefits of Hot Water If you’re soaking in hot springs to support better sleep, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Choose the Right Temperature The ideal temperature for the most hot water benefits is between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. However, anything warmer than the average body temperature of 98 degrees can help lower your core temperature and support sleep. WorldSprings mineral hot springs pools vary in temperature, up to 104 degrees. For a relaxing, sleep-inducing soak, try the Hokkaido, Japan, pool, with warm water enriched with magnesium, potassium, and bicarbonate to help calm your nerves, aid muscle recovery, and improve your skin health. Time Your Soak Ideally, you should plan to soak in hot water at least 90 minutes to two hours before bedtime. That allows your body plenty of time to regulate its core temperature, allowing you to fall asleep faster and enjoy maximum sleep quality. It’s also essential to give yourself enough time in the water. To see the most benefit to sleep, you need to spend at least ten minutes in the hot water; 20 to 30 minutes is ideal. Avoid soaking too close to bedtime, though; your body needs time to cool down to trigger your natural sleep cycle. Avoid the temptation to take a cool shower or plunge into a cooler pool after soaking if you want to sleep better. Doing so will actually increase your body temperature and undo all the hot water benefits. Instead, hydrate with room-temperature water or herbal (non-caffeinated) tea and continue your nighttime routine. Good sleep is critical to overall wellness. From helping your body repair itself and strengthen defenses against chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease to supporting better brain function and mental health, sleep is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy and happy. If quality rest seems to elude you night after night, try implementing hot springs soaks into your self-care routine. Enhance Your Sleep With Hot Springs Soaks at WorldSprings WorldSprings is a leading hot springs pool and spa oasis that helps guests transform into a relaxed mindset for whole-body wellness. With an expansive location in Dallas, TX, and a stunning mountain view at Iron Mountain Hot Springs (A WorldSprings Property) in Glenwood Springs, CO, guests can soak in 9 pools inspired by popular hot springs around the world, including Japan, Mexico, and even the Dead Sea. Enhance your quality of sleep and book a soak with us today!
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A Guide to Hot Springs Etiquette at WorldSprings
on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes
A Guide to Hot Springs Etiquette Is there anything more relaxing than slipping into a pool of perfectly heated water and letting your cares float away in a cloud of steam? Whether visiting hot springs to unwind and unplug or enjoying a soak to ease aches and pains or improve your sleep, soaking in mineral-rich hot springs is the ultimate self-care indulgence. Enjoying your hot springs experience doesn’t mean anything goes, though. Following proper hot springs etiquette ensures everyone has a tranquil and soothing soak. You don’t need to worry about Miss Manners popping up and scolding you while you soak, but if you don’t want to be “that person” in the spa, remember to mind your p’s and q’s. 4 Ways to Be a Courteous Hot Springs Guest Most hot springs etiquette comes down to common courtesy. When you visit a facility like WorldSprings, you’ll share the pools with others who expect a pleasant and relaxing experience. Remembering the Golden Rule is the best way to ensure everyone leaves feeling blissed out. 1. Follow Facility Rules Hot spring rules aren’t intended to stop you from having a great time. They are actually the opposite and designed for everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Read the rules and guidelines before visiting a hot springs facility to avoid disappointment and misunderstandings. For example, if you plan to bring your family, know the rules regarding children’s areas and avoid allowing your kids to enter the 18+ areas. Other rules you should familiarize yourself with include: Time limits on soaks Proper attire (WorldSprings and most other public facilities require guests to wear swimwear and prohibit nudity) Guidelines for food and drink while in the pools How to safely move between pools When you arrive for your visit, you’ll have to sign a waiver acknowledging these rules. Staff will be on hand to enforce them, ensuring you can decompress in the most serene environment possible. 2. Respect the Tranquility of the Space When you slip into a hot spring pool to unwind, you don’t want to endure loud conversations from other visitors, so try not to interrupt someone else’s chill-out time. If you’re visiting with others, keep the volume of your conversations down so you don’t disturb others. You can find an unoccupied pool at a facility like WorldSprings, which has dozens of soaking pools during quiet periods. Otherwise, expect to share the space. It’s polite to acknowledge other soakers, but don’t feel compelled to strike up a conversation. After all, silence is often hard to come by in today’s world, so take the opportunity to clear your mind and destress. Most people won’t be offended (and might even prefer) if you don’t want to chat. If other people are disrupting your experience, it’s perfectly acceptable to politely ask them to quiet down. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching them yourself, ask the facility staff for help. 3. Be Courteous With Cell Phones Many people turn off their devices and leave them in a locker to fully unplug while they soak. If you need to keep your phone with you, turn it to silent mode in the pool area. If you must have a conversation, leave the pool and move to a more secluded space to avoid disturbing others. Cell phone hot springs etiquette also extends to taking photos. Memorializing your hot springs experience, especially when you visit with others, is totally fine, but be mindful of others when you do. Take care not to snap photos of others without their permission, and don’t be disruptive during your photo session. Consider renting a private cabana for your group or taking pictures in the cafe or bar areas to preserve memories without making others uncomfortable. 4. Practice Hot Springs Hygiene Before slipping into the warm, mineral-rich waters of a soaking pool, take a few moments to shower. Bath products, lotions, perfumes, and other chemicals on your skin can disrupt the balance of minerals in the pool. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to tie it up before soaking so loose hairs don’t end up in the water. At WorldSprings, guests have the convenience of enjoying indoor and outdoor showers. Keeping the facility safe and sanitary also means not visiting the springs if you’re sick, have a rash, or any other contagious skin condition. Reschedule your visit when you’ve recovered so others can stay healthy. You should also consider washing your swimsuit with a mild detergent before visiting mineral springs. Not only can certain chemicals in detergents get into the water and affect the mineral balance, but wearing a swimsuit right from a lake or beach without washing it first can introduce algae and bacteria into the pools. Ultimately, the key to hot springs etiquette is to give others the experience that you want by respecting their privacy, limiting noise, and adhering to the facility rules. Everyone deserves the chance to escape everyday challenges for a little while and enjoy the soothing waters of a warm mineral bath, so mind your manners and make that a reality.
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