The water circuit, a type of hydrotherapy, originated in Ancient Rome where citizens would partake in bathing rituals that were considered medically beneficial. Individuals would circulate between baths of warm water, hot water, and cold water in order to ward off disease and ailments. With some creativity, you can enjoy these ancient rituals from the comforts of your own home. Modern day benefits include:
- Increased metabolic process, which can aid in weight loss
- Faster recovery from injuries
- Strengthening of your cardiovascular system
- Detoxification
- Relaxation and reduced stress
The Process: Expose your body to hot water (no higher than 106 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 to 10 minutes. Then expose your body to cold water for 1 minute. Repeat this cycle for up to 1 hour, making sure that you end on a cold cycle.
Your Body’s Reaction: Hot water causes blood vessels to dilate, causing the blood to flow to the skin, bringing toxins to the surface. Further, your heart rate increases, due to the extreme temperature. Exposure to cold water constricts the blood vessels, stimulating the thyroid and lymphatic system to flush out metabolic and cellular waste.
Don’t have any Roman Baths near by? Try creating your very own water circuit at home:
If you have a bathtub and a separate shower (ideal):
- Draw a hot bath in the bathtub and sit in it for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Move to the shower and take a cold shower for 1 minute.
- Move back into the bathtub and unstop the drain.
- As old water drains out, fill the tub with fresh hot water.
- When temperature and water level are high enough, re-stop the drain and sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Get out and take a cold shower for one minute.
- Repeat cycle for 20 to 30 minutes, ending on a cold cycle.
If you have a bathtub and a shower in the same unit:
- Draw a hot bath in the bathtub and sit in it for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Unstop the drain and turn on the shower.
- Stand under cold water for one minute.
- Switch to hot water and stand under for 5 to 10 minutes.
