Onsen are good for your body!
Submerging yourself in hot spring water isn't the only way to enjoy onsen. When you visit an onsen resort you have the opportunity to encounter nature and culture, allowing you to relax and rid yourself of stress. Moreover, the physical effects of bathing, along with the onsen's chemical components, stimulate your body in an integrated way, improving your body's natural ability for self healing.
Chemical components in onsen that help relieve fatigue
Onsen are effective for many things including recovery from fatigue and reducing stress. Please refer to the following table that conveniently outlines which type of spring water you should choose for your condition. And of course, onsen have many other beneficial effects that are unrelated to the actual contents of the water.
Three effects of bathing
■Your body becomes buoyant
When you bathe your entire body, it becomes buoyant and weighs approximately one tenth of its normal weight. By leisurely stretching out, you can free your limbs from their everyday burden.
■Natural massage and hydrostatic effects
When submersed in hot water, abdominal girth is decreased by several centimeters through hydrostatic pressure. This creates a massage effect that encourages circulation and also relieves foot fatigue and swelling.
* However, people with disorders of the lung or heart may experience adverse effects. Hip baths, which have little hydraulic pressure, are ideal for such people.
* However, people with disorders of the lung or heart may experience adverse effects. Hip baths, which have little hydraulic pressure, are ideal for such people.
■Warming effects
The heat of the water improves circulation and accelerates your metabolism, which helps discharge waste material. The key factor is water temperature. Submersion in a warm bath for twenty to thirty minutes is effective for reducing fatigue.
Beneficial "nature bathing"
Many onsen resorts are located in areas with abundant nature and are fantastic for relaxation. Onsen in the forest or mountains offer the opportunity for peaceful walks in nature, while onsen near the ocean are perfect for strolls on the beach.
