Hot spring waters are miracle workers! Really, these mineral waters have been shown to accelerate wound healing, help with skin conditions, and even cure diseases.
Sure, some of the benefits are anecdotal, but people have been soaking in thermal waters for thousands of years in ceremony.
Mineral content in the thermal waters can include magnesium, calcium sulphate, sodium, silica, potassium, iron, and even arsenic.
You may know you’re close to a hot spring by the strong smell of sulfur due to the presence of hydrogen sulphide gas, but many springs have no scent at all.
Where You can Experience Hot Springs in the World
Hot springs are a worldwide phenomenon, and there are great websites to search for springs in your area.
Some of our favorites include:
FindASpring.Org – Great for cold and hot springs
And, honestly good old Google Maps is great to see current reviews on hot springs trails and water conditions. This has saved me from going to springs that were closed or no longer running.
How to Enjoy Hot Springs Healing
My most important tip for soaking is to breathe. It’s the most simple reminder but I’ve found so much more relief and relaxation when I do a breathing practice in the thermal waters.
Simplicity shines, and truly the box breathing technique – breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, and breathe out for 4.
Life changing.
Also, try to stay a few days if you have the chance. It takes time for us to decompress from all of life’s responsibilities.
When you can surrender to the hot springs’ environment, you notice beauty around you and within in a different way.
Be a Steward
These waters are vulnerable to pollution, and it’s up to all of us to make sure we can keep wild hot springs open for all to enjoy.
This means not only packing out what you bring in, but being prepared to take home other people’s trash.
And, if you notice that the pool could use some TLC, consider helping out! I’ve met and worked with wild hot springs volunteers that designate themselves as the angels who clean and rebuild soaking pools out in the backcountry.
Top Hot Springs Adventures
You can see more of our travels to hot springs, as well as healing stories from across the world, on the Hot Springs Hotties Instagram page.
