When we think of wellness we think of food, movement and sleep, which are definitely very important pillars of health and well-being. But how about water? Clean water is actually an unacknowledged luxury, even a privilege I’d dare to say. Access to clean water is still a huge problem in my areas of the world, however, in the west we have access to water, yet, when we think of the water composition, the regular tap water often contains medicine waste, as well as heavy metals such as mercury, lead and other. The Dutch water management authorities communicate this clearly to the public, yet they still argue that despite these impurities Dutch water is one of the best compared to other countries in Europe.
While it might be an officially acceptable relatively drinkable water, it is still a good idea to use good quality water filter to filter these impurities out and also drink some mineral water when you can. There are places in the world where you can tap your own mineral water straight from the Earth. Pretty amazing, isn't it? Let me tell you more about a place like that I've just visited.
As I am sitting in the train leaving my homeland Slovakia, I have space to integrate all lived experiences. It’s been years I wanted to visit one particular place close to where I grew up due its beautiful location and numerous healthy benefits, but somehow never made a conscious decision to go there. My friends and family have visited this magical place many times and told me of the benefits often. So this year I finally got there.
Surrounded by hills and a deep, dark green forest, there is a one of these magnificent places - a thermal spring called “Kada” in a small village in Slovakia – Liptovský Ján located in the heart of Slovakia. The spring is a big natural pool of turquoise color together with a deeper, but smaller pool with even brighter blue color that is partially separated from the bigger pool by a rock wall. The temperature varies between 16-21 degrees Celsius. The smaller, deeper pool is warmer, as the hot spring stream is even stronger. The smaller pool is approximately 150cm deep so if you are 170cm tall you can just reach the ground of the Earth from which this thermal stream bursts out with bubbles, just like lava from a volcano. The water contains various minerals among which are iron and magnesium (see table below), which is why people come here to heal arthritis, female reproductory organ issues, musco-sceletal and skin issues, as based on local stories and healing traditions. I believe that the water has a lot more health benefits for the whole body and mind.
Besides bathing in the springs, locals come there to tap this water, many take bottles of the thermal water with them back home. There is a stream around which a stone statute was built (see image below) to make it a recognizable water tapping point for people to take home. The taste is often described as having a bit of an egg smell. I personally don’t mind it, as I’ve drank Earth mineral water from another thermal spring before, but it is good to know š
To maximize health benefits, you can come bathe in it and drink the water too. Bathing is especially beneficial for complete muscle relaxation.
Think about it. You are literally bathing in the highly mineralized water, experiencing a natural jacuzzi immersion, provided by Earth to you completely for free. What a gift, isn’t it? Totally meditative, grounding, relaxing place to be. Due to the high mineral content (see table below), you are allowed to stay there only 20 minutes. After 10 minutes you experience tingling and a bit of a burning sensation, you can many small bubbles all over your body and you may experience redness which is all a normal reaction to the minerals. Your body is absorbing them as you bathe š After the 20 minutes you feel that it is time to get out. When you get out of it and lie down on the grass next to the natural pool, you start feeling lighter, the muscles are more relaxed, it even feels like getting a massage plus taking a nap.
As I sat down there on the grass, looking at the trees and the thermal power creating bubbles on the surface of the pool, I felt so rejuvenated and grateful for this gift of nature, exactly in the surroundings of where I come from. I highly recommend to visit this thermal spring area, tap the water, drink it, bathe in it, immerse completely in this beautiful restorative experience the Slovak nature has to offer.
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