Bathing, Hydro-Therapy and Immersion in water can all help to reduce levels of stress.

A 2006 study entitled “Change in salivary physiological stress markers by spa bathing.” found that, “Cortisol levels decreased after spa bathing” Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone and these findings “suggest that spa bathing has an effect on stress relief.”

These findings were confirmed in another study published in 2018 titled “Physical and Mental Effects of Bathing: A Randomized Intervention Study.”

“This randomized controlled trial compared the effects on health of immersion bathing and shower bathing in 38 participants… visual analog scale (VAS) scores were significantly better for fatigue, stress, pain, and smile and tended to be better for self-reported heath and skin conditions after bathing intervention than after showering intervention… The SF-8 Health Survey showed significantly better general health, mental health, role emotional, and social functioning scores. Profile of Mood State (POMS) scores were lower for stress, tension-anxiety, anger-hostility, and depression-dejection. Immersion bathing, but not shower bathing, exerts hyperthermic action that induces increased blood flow and metabolic waste elimination, which may afford physical refreshment. Immersion bathing should improve both the physical and emotional aspects of quality of life.”

Another study from 2018 titled “Culture, bathing and hydrotherapy in labor: An exploratory descriptive pilot study.” which examined pregnant women found that “The women described bathing as relaxing, easing, calming, and efficacious for relief of menstrual cramps and labor contractions.”