How Does Hydrotherapy Help With Anxiety?

Anxiety is a growing concern that millions of people experience today. With the pressures of work, personal life and constant connectivity, more individuals are experiencing overwhelming stress and anxiety. Finding ways to manage and reduce it is essential for improving quality of life and enjoying everyday moments.

One approach garnering attention for its potential benefits is hydrotherapy. This type of therapy uses water in various forms and may help to alleviate stress. It’s important to explore how hydrotherapy helps with anxiety and whether it may be right for you.

What Is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is a treatment that uses water and different temperatures to promote physical and mental well-being. It is a practice that people have used for centuries, with roots tracing back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Throughout history, people have found hot baths and steam rooms to provide healing properties. Today, hydrotherapy utilizes various techniques, including:

• Hot baths
• Cold baths
• Hydro-massage
• Aquatic exercises

The underlying principle of hydrotherapy is that water can profoundly affect the body’s systems. Warm water increases blood circulation, while cold water stimulates the body. The buoyancy also helps the body feel light, reducing the load on joints and muscles, making it an excellent medium for exercise. By engaging the body’s natural responses to water, hydrotherapy works to provide relief to the body and mind. It can be especially beneficial if you experience anxiety.

How Hydrotherapy Helps With Anxiety

Researchers estimate that at least 31.1% of adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in time. Often, this is due to genetics and stressful life events. If you’re part of this statistic, consider hydrotherapy alongside other treatments. Hydrotherapy helps with anxiety in the following ways.

Promotes Body Relaxation

One primary way hydrotherapy helps with anxiety is by promoting relaxation. Immersing in warm water affects the muscles and nervous system, helping to release tension and reduce muscle tension.

One popular water therapy method that helps achieve this is through a hydro-massage. This form of hydrotherapy involves the use of targeted water jets. Water jets exert a force that pushes the water onto the body for a gentle massage, relieving muscle knots and stress points.

As your body relaxes, so does your mind. This gives you a much-needed break from the constant state of alertness and worry that your body puts you through.

Soothes Your Mind

Research shows that hydrotherapy can lead to a significant reduction in anxiety and depression. It does so by distracting your mind from worries and negative thoughts. When immersed in a pool, bath or hot tub, the water can be incredibly calming. Whether it’s the rhythmic sound of water or the gentle pressures of it against the skin, being in water can create a meditative state and encourage you to feel at peace.

Improves Sleep

Since hydrotherapy promotes relaxation, it can prepare the body for a longer, deeper sleep. This effect is partly due to an increased body temperature while soaking in warm water. As the body gradually cools down, the drop in temperature signals it is time to sleep, which occurs naturally during the onset of sleep.

Furthermore, relief from muscle tension can make it easier to fall and stay asleep. Better sleep quality regulates your thoughts and emotions, as poor sleep is a common trigger for anxiety. Therefore, waking up feeling more rested makes you feel less anxious.

Boosts Mood

The experience alone of being in water can make you feel happy. This is because water therapy releases chemicals in the brain known as endorphins, which enhance mood. Water is also a grounding element that can reduce cortisol levels, a hormone that produces stress.

Additionally, hydrotherapy is a chance for self-care and mindfulness. When you’re more aware of your surroundings — and in the present moment — regular sessions lead to a more positive outlook and improved emotional resilience.

Relieves Pain

Chronic pain creates a vicious cycle of anxiety that can be challenging to break. However, warm water and buoyancy make movements easier by relaxing tight muscles and improving circulation.

One study showed that participants who underwent 10 days of hydrotherapy treatment experienced reductions in lower back pain and depression levels. This is because pain relief increases their self-esteem, helping to combat the feelings of helplessness and stress that accompany chronic pain.

Limitations to Consider

While hydrotherapy offers numerous benefits for anxiety, there are several risks to consider:

• Temperature sensitivity: Hydrotherapy often incorporates warmer temperatures, which can be soothing. However, it may be too intense for some. In such cases, cold water therapy can be a viable alternative, as it can promote a euphoric feeling and shock the body and mind into a different kind of stress relief.
• Chemical sensitivity: Many hydrotherapy treatments involve pools and hot tubs, which use chemicals like chlorine to maintain water quality. For individuals with sensitive skin or allergies, these chemicals can cause irritation or adverse reactions that negate the therapy’s relaxing effects.
• Risk of fatigue or overexertion: While water therapy is supposed to be gentle, spending too much time in the water or intense aquatic exercises can lead to exhaustion. This can be counterproductive for those experiencing high levels of stress.

Being aware of these limitations and tailoring their practices can maximize the benefits of hydrotherapy while minimizing adverse effects.

Using Hydrotherapy to Help With Anxiety

Hydrotherapy offers a multifaceted approach to relieving anxiety and can be a valuable addition to your anxiety management plan. Consult with your doctor to see if hydrotherapy is right for you, as it may help to create a more balanced and serene life.