The Comforting Comeback of the Bathhouse
Communal bathing in piping hot soothing water has now become the newest form of pampering that people are starting to fall in love with. With radical self-care becoming a hot wellness trend, the bathhouse is now enjoying a renaissance comeback as major cities in the world have at least one of these, with more and more new ones now being built.
What are bathhouses? You can think of them as the cross between a hot spring, a gym, and a spa. This is a time-tested and unique approach for pain relief and is also the primary method to boost wellness and reduce stress.
Communal bathing is not really new for most countries. This has a famous and rich history in Korea, Japan, Rome, Russia, and Finland with every culture having their own unique version of the community bathhouses that are often located in town centers.
Bathhouses also serve as gathering areas that invite you to connect in an environment where small talk is replaced by sensual absorption. Bathhouses are in contrast to the modern belief that baths should be done alone, privately, and secretly, which is an idea rooted in physical shame.
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Bathhouses and Their Short History in America
The idea of soaking in hot waters became popular as far back as the early 20th century when the ordinary Americans are regular visitors to curative springs. As baths and showers became staple features in homes in America, the communal bathhouse started to fall out of favor.
During the 1980s to 1990s, they had a short comeback when the bathhouses were built across the country as areas for sexually liberated and gay subculture. Most of these were shutdown during the times of AIDS and HIV panic.
Bathhouses in the Modern Day
Right now, there is an ongoing resurgence of the bathhouse tradition possibly as a way of going back to the old wisdom.
Today, anything that can support the nervous system or encourage relaxation will speak to your collective pain point. The practice of soaking is a great method to simplify consciously and unplug intentionally.
However, hot tubs that use chlorine don’t really make the cut since the harsh chemicals present in chlorine may cause eye and skin irritation.
The latest crop of modern bathhouses now favors soaking in saltwater that gets rid of the need to use chlorine. Being a purification method, salt is skin and environmentally friendly at the same time.
Below are some of the perks of salt water soaking:
- Encourages cell regeneration
- Promotes better circulation
- Reduces inflammation
- Skin detoxification
- Relieves soreness and pain
- Muscle relaxation
- Balances the nervous system
- Releases toxins
- Supports the immune system
- Restores the mineral balance of the body
- Promotes mental relaxation
The next time you feel like pampering yourself with a hot bath, try to investigate if there is a nearby bathhouse in your area. It not only washes away your stress as it also immerses you in a one of a kind self-pampering.
