The Healing Power of Hot Springs
The Healing Power of Hot Springs
Some seasons of life hit harder than others. Last year, mine collided all at once. Election season, the cruise that hurt me emotionally, work events including international travel, deadlines, and endless conversations. I kept going until I finally crashed. Not the kind of tired that a nap can fix, but the deep kind that leaves you hollow. The kind that makes even joy feel distant.
This morning, I came across a post by Caroline Gleich on Instagram that stopped me in my tracks. She talked about what a campaign can do to a body. It didn’t tell you not to run for office, but it illuminated the physical and emotional toll that running for public service can take. Her words hit home. They reminded me that what we do in those seasons of service matters deeply, but so does what we do afterward to heal.
That’s why I’m writing this from a hot spring.
It’s not luxury or indulgence. It’s medicine. When I sink into the mineral water, my nervous system quiets. My shoulders lower. My breath deepens. The heat pulls tension out of my body, and the minerals feel like they’re feeding something that’s been starved for stillness.
After losing what I thought was my dream job recently, I needed this time even more. And after what I can only describe as an ADHD crash—the kind that hits when you’ve been running at full speed for too long—it became clear that I didn’t just need rest, I needed repair. Life has a way of rearranging our plans to remind us of what’s real. What felt like a loss now feels like an opening. Being here has shown me that recovery isn’t about effort. It’s about allowing.
The science is simple. The warm mineral water increases circulation and soothes inflammation. Magnesium and calcium help your body release toxins and calm the stress response. But beyond the science, there’s something quietly spiritual about sitting in the earth’s heat and letting it hold you.
What makes it even more special is that we can do this for a fraction of the cost because of the RV. We park nearby, cook our own meals, and spend our time with intention. This isn’t a getaway. It’s a recalibration.
If you’ve been carrying too much or moving too fast, let your body be part of the recovery. Find a hot spring. Let the silence speak louder than your to-do list. You don’t have to prove that you’re strong. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is rest.
