National Relaxation Day on Aug. 15 encourages people to slow down and unwind from the fast-paced lifestyles we often live today. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the perfect place to kick back and soak in warm, natural hot springs throughout the month of August and any time of year. Leave it to a fourth grader to teach us to relax, as that was exactly how this day came about in 1985 when Sean Moeller proposed the idea!
There is no better way to take a break from daily routines and to rejuvenate tired bodies and minds than spending time in a mountain setting like Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Begin and end a day of exploring the great outdoors or savoring a little retail therapy and a great meal downtown by enjoying the many benefits of hot springs.
Therapeutic Qualities
Soaking in geothermal water certainly feels fantastic but are their truly therapeutic qualities? Indeed!
Geothermal waters are chock-full of dissolved minerals that come from deep within the earth. Each mineral possesses unique properties, offering guests a mix of wellness benefits from soaking in hot springs. The water at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort contains 15 health-boosting minerals that come from a source spring on the property named Yampah, which was first discovered by the Native American Utes. Yampah appropriately means “big medicine.”
Here is a breakdown of health benefits delivered by the minerals found in Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s soothing waters.
- Boron strengthens bones and aids in brain function • Calcium promotes healthy bones and overall health
- Chloride helps regulate blood pressure and pH in the body • Fluoride is excellent for the health of bones and teeth
- Iron is vital for blood health and increases resistance to disease • Lithium elevates the mood and produces a sense of calm
- Magnesium increases energy levels
- Manganese contributes to healthy bone growth
- Nitrogen is another mineral that’s good for skin, hair and nails
- Phosphate is critical for energy storage and metabolism
- Potassium is vital for heart and kidney health
- Silica is a known remedy for thinning hair
- Sodium is an electrolyte that plays a pivotal role in enzyme operations and nerve and muscle function
- Sulfate relieves pain and is essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails
- Zinc boosts the immune and digestive systems
Is it hydrotherapy or baneology?
A few minutes of soaking in blissful 104°F natural hot springs that fill the resort’s newly renovated Therapy Pool is all it takes for tension to start melting away. The large pool is a refreshing 90° to 93°F, great for taking a break from the warmer waters, swimming laps, enjoying the diving board and simply taking it easy with family and friends.
Balneotherapy, also known as hydrotherapy, is defined by the Balneology Association of North America as “the study of the arts, sciences and cultures of natural mineral waters for drinking, soaking baths, steams and inhalations for health, wellness and therapeutic benefits.”
Physiologically, hot springs soaking helps relieve pain, boost immunity and stimulate both blood and lymph flow due to the minute amounts of dissolved minerals that are absorbed through the skin. Psychologically, it reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of well-being.
Bring along a cup and take a sip from Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s mineral drinking spring in Glenwood Springs. It’s an acquired taste but the minerals are as good for your interior as they are for your exterior, aiding in the maintenance of a healthy pH, a proper balance of electrolytes and the production of collagen.
Pure relaxation
The historic setting and fabled waters at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort invite guests to get away from it all, whether it’s area residents with pool passes or visitors from afar. Families vacation here to play in the world’s largest hot springs pool and Sopris Splash Zone. Others pay a visit specifically to soak in the Therapy Pool, take part in a yoga or Pilates class or enjoy the gym at the on-site Athletic Club, and adventure on area trails and rivers.
The benefits of a good night’s rest also cannot be overstated. Getting adequate rest improves memory, increases lifespan, boosts creativity and sharpens attention; it also reduces inflammation in the body and aids in maintaining a heathy body weight. The American Sleep Foundation recommends an average of seven to nine hours a sleep for adults per day.
Stay at Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge to hit the hay just across the street from the hot springs and sleep like a baby. While you may not be able to soak in hot springs every night of the week, visiting a geothermal pool is a good way to begin a regimen of healthy sleep habits or recharge your sleep batteries.
Hot springs are indeed a hot commodity. People across the globe, from all cultures and walks of life, seek out geothermal springs for a variety of reasons ranging from relaxing to seeking the healing properties. Find out why people have been drawn to the curative waters of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort since 1888 and celebrate National Relaxation Day all year long.