Consider immersing yourself in a warm bathtub that is covered by warm water, a swirl of warm steam rises from the surface in the cold air. Sounds relaxing, right? How do other people in the world relax — let their hair down and take it easy? When it comes to relaxation, traditions exist all over the world — thanks to thousands of years of available history.
Japan: The Tradition of Onsen
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Relaxation is a part of culture and tradition in Japan. An onsen is a hot spring that has been part of the culture for a long period of time. It is more than just sitting in warm water, it is an experience of nature, community, and your own spirit.
The water of onsen is filled with minerals that are claimed to purify the body and spirit. Those who want to bathe in an onsen need to demonstrate courtesy and patience. The participants in a hot spring must wash themselves carefully and be immaculately clean. This act has a more calming impact, as the individual believes they are cleaning the body and spirit. It is not a time for talk, nor are there any distractions. To be in the bathhouse is an invitation to require a temporary respite.
Mexico: The Temazcal Ceremony
In Mexico, there is a whole new way to relax — the temazcal ceremony. A temazcal (Nahuatl temazcalli, ‘house of heat’) is a type of sweat lodge, which is a model for a human-made sauna that has been used for a time period of 3,000 years. It is a Mexican-style method of rituals of purification. This ancient practice has been performed by nearly all the Indigenous peoples of Mexico for thousands of years.
It is a domed, heated room used for steam bath events; the walls are made of volcanic stone from the surrounding area. In the middle, the leader will place volcanic rocks which are then heated. Participants in a temazcal, sit in a steamy hot room and then place heated volcanic stones from the center with water and natural herbs.
The process of a guide is what relaxes you — It is a cleansing and healing process. The heat, steam, relaxation, and heavy breathing, along with humming, and aromatherapy, all contribute to cleansing and bringing wellness back to the spiritual human being as well as the entire physical circle that the temazcal is in.
The United States: Hot Tubs and Wellness Retreats
The experience doesn’t quite compare to the dry, wooden saunas of Scandinavia or the mountain hot springs of Japan, but for people in the United States, hot tubs are a way for people to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of warm water to reduce stress in a seated and private setting.
To the American soaking crowd, a hot tub is an escape — a place where we can, for just a moment, forget about the things that worry or anger us and instead focus on our health and well-being. It’s a contemporary pastime, but we’re not relaxing or focusing on ourselves any less.
Relaxation Around the World
A soak in a spa in the U.S. probably looks quite different from visiting an onsen in Japan. All of those activities feel good and all of them have health benefits, sure, but they also each belong to a specific culture and a tradition that lovingly ties people to the past and to each other. How do people relax? It’s all relative.