Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep? According to the Spanish Sleep Society, around 30% of Spaniards have suffered from occasional insomnia at some point, and around 14% suffer from chronic insomnia. Our busy lifestyles, constant exposure to screens and everyday stress make getting a good night’s sleep increasingly difficult.
But the truth is that sleeping well is a matter of health. The body needs those hours of deep sleep to regenerate, balance the nervous system and keep the mind clear.
Fortunately, there are natural sleep therapies that do not rely on medication, such as visiting a spa. In this article, we explain how a spa sleep routine can help you combat insomnia and get a good night’s sleep.
The sleep cycle: how hydrotherapy resets your biological clock
Let’s start with the most important question: how can a spa treat insomnia? Well, the basis of any spa is hydrotherapy, that is, the use of water as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of various diseases and the recovery of our health.
Hydrotherapy has a solid medical basis: contact with thermal water at different temperatures stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calmness and deep relaxation. This process helps regulate the circadian cycle, the internal clock that tells you when to sleep and when to wake up.
In addition, hot water promotes peripheral vasodilation, which reduces blood pressure and muscle tension. Therefore, after a thermal bath, the body experiences a natural drop in temperature, a signal that the brain interprets as “time to sleep”.
But the secret goes beyond the thermal effect. At Balneario de Fitero, the extraordinary properties of the water are also due to its mineral composition.
Our medicinal waters are rich in radon, which is why they can further increase the sedative effect on your nervous system. This noble gas, present in minimal and safe doses, enhances relaxation for those who immerse themselves in the waters of Fitero, providing a feeling of general well-being.
That’s why all the treatments we offer are a great help in achieving and maintaining quality sleep: from any of our thermal circuits to the bubble bath, thermal sauna or circular shower. At Balneario de Fitero, we have the perfect solution for curing insomnia with hydrotherapy.
By the way! Many specialists recommend enjoying these treatments preferably in the afternoon, just when the body begins to slow down. This way, you can train your body to gradually enter rest mode.
Night-time rituals: baths, massages and light dinners to help you sleep
Did you know that your rest does not begin when you close your eyes? In fact, it begins several hours earlier. That is why, in spas like ours, the day is always organised to prepare the body and mind for sleep.
If you suffer from insomnia, at Balneario de Fitero we recommend including the following in your experience:
- Thermal baths at sunset. Immersing yourself in warm waters before the end of the day is a great way to release tension. You can do this in our outdoor hydrothermal pool, at a temperature of between 34 and 36ºC, open all year round and surrounded by unbeatable scenery. Perfect for a little gentle exercise!
- Massages with aromatic oils. There is nothing better for combating insomnia than one of our massages: 55-minute treatments with pindas, hot stones or anti-stress techniques that activate your circulation and stimulate endorphins. And you can combine them with our facial treatments for even greater relaxation.
- Halotherapy. The effect of halotherapy is also remarkable: in our salt chamber, the dry, salty environment cleanses your airways, treats your skin and produces an immediate anxiolytic effect. Breathing this mineralised air brings you calm and, as a result, promotes deeper sleep.
Practical tips for bringing your relaxation routine home
And what will happen when you return home? Is it possible that you will sleep poorly again? Not necessarily: the restorative effect of the spa on your insomnia can be prolonged if you adopt certain guidelines in your daily life.
Sleep hygiene is always the basis for maintaining healthy rest:
- Go for a light walk or do some stretching about two hours before going to bed. Gentle exercise releases energy without overstimulating the nervous system.
- Have an early, light dinner, avoiding heavy, copious meals.
- Turn off screens and avoid bright lights at least half an hour before bedtime. Replace them with warm lighting and a moment of silence and reading.
- Practise deep breathing, meditation or relaxation exercises. If you have learnt any relaxation techniques during your stay at the spa, continue practising them at home: your brain will associate them with rest.
By the way, remember that stress and anxiety are also major enemies of sleep. In our next article, we will discuss how useful hydrotherapy is for anxiety, so that you can achieve overall well-being if you suffer from this disorder.
Have no doubt: sleeping well is possible. Sometimes, we just need a change of scenery and to remind our bodies how to do it. And with our spa getaways, we make it easy for you. If you feel like you need to take a break, we are here with open arms to help you improve your rest. Treat yourself to a night of restful sleep: book at Balneario de Fitero!
