What Benefits Do Hot Water Treatments Offer?

Soaking in a hot bath is a wonderful way to relax and unwind after a long day — but can immersing yourself in heated water do more for you than you realize?

According to researchconducted in the UK, the answer is yes!

But what benefits does a dip in hot water actually offer?

Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

The British study revealed that enjoying an hour-long bath in hot water every day for two weeks led to a reduction in blood sugar levels following sleep (or other fasting periods).

Controlling blood sugar levels is essential for people with diabetes to stay healthy and avoid complications (kidney issues, heart problems etc.). Insulin levels were improved too: insulin helps prevent your blood sugar rising too high or low, and is extremely important to a healthy body.

Regulate Inflammation

The study discovered that taking hot baths has the power to regulate the body’s inflammatory response, by increasing the production of nitric oxide and IL-6 levels (this is a blood protein associated with inflammation).

Again, this may be beneficial for people living with diabetes.

Boosting Your Metabolism

Taking a hot bath daily was shown to help boost the participants’ metabolism and make weight loss a little easier.

Of course, bear in mind that immersing yourself in heated water is no shortcut to your dream body — it could be an aid to shedding pounds, but only in conjunction with other healthy-lifestyle choices.

For example, combine daily hot baths with dietary changes to include more fruit and vegetables, take exercise however you can and quit nasty habits like smoking.

The Practicalities of the Research

Still, who can find one hour in their schedule for a relaxing soak every day of the week?

Perhaps you’re a busy mom with children to care for, a job to do and not enough free time for yourself. Maybe you work long shifts and feel inundated with chores, simply unable to carve a slot out of your day for a bath.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that immersing your body (or just specific parts of it) in heated water or special fluids for minutes at a time offers real benefits.

Paraffin Foot Treatment

Paraffin foot treatments are an excellent way to improve your circulation and soothe aching joints.

Your feet are submerged in a heated blend of paraffin and mineral oil, which helps to soften areas of rough skin too. This is a great option if you feel stiff or uncomfortable, and is a popular way to pamper your feet ahead of a luxurious pedicure.

Paraffin Hand Treatments

This is just as the above — but for your hands!

Again, it’s a nice treatment to enjoy before a pedicure. Your hands will look and feel better than ever.

Want to try these treatments for yourself?

Astra Medi Spa’s expert therapists are here to help! Our team has the best training, experience and skills to leave you feeling rejuvenated — and you’ll look amazing too.

Just get in touch with us now to learn more about our paraffin foot and hand treatments, or to book your appointment!

How to Relax and Unwind Before your Wedding

It’s natural to feel a little stressed and anxious ahead of your wedding. Getting hitched is a major step you’ve planned for months (if not years), and you want everything to be perfect.

We’ve worked with countless brides-to-be over the years, helping them to indulge in relaxing, luxurious spa treatments. In that time, we’ve learned a few things about unwinding in the run up to your nuptials.

Here are four terrific ideas for any bride-to-be!

Meditate your way to calmness

Never tried meditation before? You don’t have to sit on a mountain top or put aside several hours to reap its benefits. It’s much more accessible than you might imagine.

All you need is a quiet place without distractions and at least 10 - 15 minutes to spare.

You can find a wealth of meditation apps out there to guide you, or look for local meditation classes in your area. Just a few sessions ahead of your wedding (and on the day itself) can help you stay calm and unwind.

Find time to be pampered

Spa treatments are ideal for de-stressing and can help you feel at your best before (or on) your wedding day.

Take a friend or two along, or go solo, and treat yourself. A manicure and pedicure, facial and massage or detox wrap will all work wonders.

A session in the hands of an expert therapist leaves you in a blissful state of relaxation, even if the ceremony is just a few hours away!

Make time for romance

Things can get a little crazy in the pre-wedding period. You and your partner might get so caught up in speaking to the planner, organizing the meal, finding the right cake, finalizing outfits and everything else, you actually lose touch with them for a while.

Before you know it, you can end up simply passing each other as you rush from one place to another.

Slow down. Take a breath. Carve a little time out of your respective days to enjoy each other’s company.

Go out for dinner, watch a movie together, play a board game or two. Remind each other why you’re actually going through all these preparations: so you can get married and celebrate your love with the people who matter.

Sweat it out

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to combat stress, even if it’s not exactly your favourite way to spend time.

This doesn’t mean you have to sign up with a gym, though. Just put your running shoes on and go for a jog around your neighbourhood. Get a resistance band and get to work in your living room, kitchen or wherever you have space.

You’ll feel more relaxed when those endorphins start working their magic, and you’ll have more confidence too. A quick workout on the wedding day itself can even ease some of those last-minute jitters.

At Astra Medi Spa, our superior bridal services are just what you need to relax and look fabulous, either before or on your wedding day! Our luxury treatments include massages, facials and even hair styling.

Want to talk about creating your own bespoke bridal package? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!