The weather has warmed up here in Truckee, and I decided to get outdoors and enjoy a little sunshine. I knew I wanted to be near the water and a beautiful view. I decided to check out Sierra Hot Springs, so I headed to Sierraville, CA ready to soak up the sunshine and all those minerals.
Sierra Hot Springs is located on 700 acres bordering National Forest Land. The location is about an hour from major Tahoe Ski resorts. Keeping with its hippie commune roots, clothing is optional at Sierra Hot Springs. There’s a cafe and lodging if you want to stay overnight. And if a day soaking in hot water isn’t relaxing enough, the resort has a sauna, cold pool, and massages for you to enjoy.
A hot spring’s healing powers are fueled by the large concentrations of minerals (sodium, calcium, and sodium bicarbonate, and selenium, to name a few). When these minerals are absorbed into the body, they can help with a variety of common health complaints.
In her article, The Ancient Healing Powers, Susan Harzler, talks about the benefits of soaking in a natural hot spring:
1) Improve Circulation - Bicarbonate hot springs are thought to help with blood circulation, hypertension, nervous imbalances, and atherosclerosis.
2) Boost Immune System - Some proponents believe that iron content in hot springs, along with other trace minerals, might help build your body's immune system, making it stronger and more able to fight infections.
3) Detoxify - It is believed that bathing repeatedly in hot springs can help tone your autonomic nervous system and normalize your endocrine system, as well as release toxins in your body through sweating.
4) Reduce Stress - Everyone stepping into the natural hot waters of mineral hot springs immediately relaxes. There are so many health benefits found in relaxation from improved sleeping patterns and nutrient assimilation to creating healthy digestive tracts. The National Sleep Foundation says insomnia causes even more stress in your body, which can wreak even more havoc. The buoyancy of the hot springs can also help increase the range of motion of muscles and joints.
5) Other conditions - According to the website Alternative Doctor, bathing in sulfur-rich hot springs helps treat dry scalp and arthritic pain, as well as internal problems such as menopausal symptoms and digestive disorders.
If you get a chance, visit a sulfur bath and enjoy the soak. There are hundreds of hot springs in California, and if you are looking for one here is a good place to start