Why a Summer Hot Spring Trip is Good for Your Mind and Body
For those who think, "Why go to a hot spring when it's hot?", here is the appeal of summer travel that science reveals.
"Hot springs are for winter."
Many people hold this image.
Soaking in an open-air bath while gazing at a snowy landscape.
Warming up a chilled body.
Indeed, winter hot springs are exceptional.
However, in reality, there are many benefits to a hot spring trip precisely because it is summer.
Going to a hot spring during the hot season might seem contradictory at first glance.
However, looking at medical and psychological research, it is clear that not only the effects of the hot spring itself, but the combination of "travel," "nature," and "rest" can lead to a refreshment of both mind and body.
In this article, we will introduce the benefits that a summer hot spring trip brings us from a scientific perspective.
A body tired from the heat is more exhausted than you think
We sweat in the summer.
The body is constantly working to lower its temperature.
Furthermore,
・Lack of sleep
・Chills from air conditioning
・Temperature differences between outdoors and indoors
・Dehydration
・Loss of appetite
As these factors overlap, fatigue accumulates without you even realizing it.
Summer fatigue is not just a matter of mood; it is related to various factors such as disruptions in daily rhythms and the autonomic nervous system.
That is precisely why you need to consciously take time to rest your mind and body during the summer.
Warming your body in a hot spring makes it easier to relax
You might think, 'A hot spring on a hot day sounds like it would just make me hotter.'
You might think that.
However, by soaking slowly in lukewarm water, your body gradually warms up, making it easier for muscle tension to release.
Bathing in relatively lukewarm water, around 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, is thought to make the parasympathetic nervous system dominant, which leads to a sense of relaxation.
Conversely, hot water of 42 degrees Celsius or higher tends to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, so in the summer, it is recommended to avoid overdoing it and instead soak slowly at a temperature you find comfortable.
A hot spring trip changes your 'environment'
Traveling has the effect of placing yourself in an environment different from your usual one.
Getting away from work.
Getting away from housework.
Reducing the time spent looking at your smartphone.
Looking at nature.
In psychology, such changes in environment are thought to create 'psychological distance' and help in shifting your mindset.
Just by seeing scenery that is different from usual, it becomes easier to reset your mind.
Hot spring resorts located in nature calm the mind
Japanese hot spring resorts are often located in:
Mountains.
Valleys.
A lake.
The seaside.
A forest.
They are often located in places rich in nature.
Many studies have reported that spending time in a green environment is associated with stress reduction and mood improvement.
Looking at the trees from an open-air bath,
listening to the murmuring of a river,
or looking up at the night sky.
Such moments are a luxury that is hard to experience in the city.
Easier to get a good night's sleep
I slept well during my trip.
Have you ever had that experience?
Your body temperature rises temporarily after bathing.
It is believed that sleepiness is more likely to occur as your body temperature gradually drops afterward.
Furthermore,
hot springs,
exercise (sightseeing and walking around),
nature,
and moderate fatigue.
With these factors combined, it is not uncommon for people to sleep soundly at night.
Because summer is a season where it is difficult to sleep, improving the quality of your sleep is very meaningful.
Time spent doing nothing rests the brain
On a hot spring trip, you:
Take a bath.
Look at the scenery.
Eat a leisurely meal.
Read a book.
Take a nap.
This kind of time spent doing nothing naturally increases.
Modern people are constantly surrounded by information.
Emails.
Social media.
News.
Videos.
The brain has no time to rest.
Time spent doing nothing is thought to refresh the brain and lead to new ideas and increased creativity.
Seasonal ingredients make the trip even richer
On a summer hot spring trip, local cuisine is also one of the pleasures.
Sweetfish.
Rock oysters.
Corn.
Tomatoes.
Edamame.
Peaches.
Watermelon.
Enjoying local seasonal ingredients not only increases the satisfaction of a trip, but also leads to the richness of "feeling the season."
Meals are also an important memory of a trip.
Time with loved ones increases happiness
One of the factors that has the greatest impact on happiness is human connection.
Family trips.
Couples' trips.
Hot spring trips with friends.
Even on a solo trip, there are encounters at the destination.
At a hot spring, the time spent looking at a smartphone naturally decreases, and conversations may increase.
"How have you been lately?"
"Remember when this happened back then?"
Such casual conversations can fill the heart.
Open-air baths are pleasant precisely because it is summer
The temperature difference is the appeal of winter open-air baths, but summer has its own pleasures.
The night breeze is comfortable.
You can hear the sound of insects.
You can gaze at a sky full of stars.
You can feel the clear morning air.
An open-air bath after working up a sweat lightens not just your body, but your mood as well.
Because each season has its own unique charm, a summer hot spring trip is also special.
Tips for enjoying your hot spring trip even more
If you are going to the trouble of visiting a hot spring, it is important not to pack your schedule too tightly.
For example,
・Check in to your inn early
・Bathe in the hot spring two or three times
・Reduce the time you spend looking at your smartphone
・Take a walk around the inn
・Enjoy the night sky and the morning scenery
If you think of it as a "trip to restore your mind and body" rather than a "trip to see as much as possible," your level of satisfaction will change significantly.
Conclusion
A summer hot spring trip is not about enduring the heat.
It is a time to restore your tired mind and body.
Soak slowly in lukewarm water.
Take a deep breath in nature.
Savor seasonal ingredients.
Talk with your loved ones.
Enjoy the luxury of doing nothing.
Each of these experiences builds up to gently heal the fatigue of summer.
In our busy daily lives, some people feel guilty about taking a break.
However, to live a truly fulfilling life, you need not only time to work hard, but also time to rest properly.
This summer, why not go on a trip where you don't just visit tourist spots, but also take your time to restore your mind and body at a hot spring?
By the time you return, you will surely be filled with a calm energy that makes you think, 'I'm ready to do my best again starting tomorrow.'
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