Water Therapy to Release Tension

Meditation is better performed when one is relaxed and tranquil. Water therapy is an ideal way to ease tension.

Thalassotherapy (coming from the Greek word 'thalassa' meaning the sea) uses the properties of sea water to promote health and healing. Nature cures using the sea have been used for thousands of years and hot and cold baths of sea water were quite common in coastal areas in Victorian times.

Nowadays at Thalassotherapy centres, sea water and seaweed are used for beauty treatment. For those who are brave enough to try it, one form of treatment involves being sprayed over your hips, thighs and bottom by a high pressure hose.

The hot and cold sea water used for this treatment is said to stimulate circulation and treat cellulite. Other, more relaxing forms of Thaslassotherapy include a jacuzzi-type of treatment called 'bain bouillonnant' where a bubbling bath directs tiny pressure jets of water all over the body to relieve tension.

Thalassotherapy is believed to help arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, circulatory disorders and stress-related illnesses. No one knows exactly how this therapy works but it is believed that when the sea water is heated to blood temperature, the mineral content of the sea (which is similar to our blood plasma) are absorbed into the skin and enhance the mineral balance in the body.

If you would like to indulge in some do-it-yourself Thalassotherapy, try a warm bath in salty water. This will help cleanse your system and draw out the poisons of the body.

You might like to purchase body scrubs, gels, soaps or bath salts containing sea products.

If you live (or if you are holidaying) near the coast, why not try walking in the sea and this will help improve circulation in your legs, hips and thighs.

Benefits of Relaxing in a Bath

One of the most pleasurable forms of relaxation is soaking in the bath. The Romans built many public baths and used bathing as a way of socialising too. The Roman emperor Gordian I sometimes took up to five baths a day.

Napoleon used to enjoy a hot bath in the middle of the night. It's not difficult to think of why. When one emerges from a relaxing, therapeutic bath, they often feel soothed and restored both in body and in mind.

Water has a relaxing effect on the physical body as heavy limbs become buoyant and this seems to instantly help muscular tension. A hot bath also lowers blood pressure and works on the skin by opening the pores and enabling oils to penetrate the skin more easily. As you soak in the bath, why not try using a deep cleansing face mask too?

A warm bath aids recovery after exercise. Tired muscles benefit when soaking in a bath through relaxation and improved circulation. Just remember to have the temperature 'just right'. Not too hot and not too cold. Baths that are over 43 degrees C will increase body temperature by a few degrees and speed the pulse from 75 beats a minute to 115. This could make you feel dizzy.

Many people find a perfumed bath relaxing and those who know a bit about aromatherapy might add a few drops of oil to the water in order to affect mood or relieve tension.

Using these relaxation techniques will make it easier for those wishing to go into a meditative state as well as helping to soothe away the stresses and strains of everyday living.