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Beat the Chill & Stay Healthy with Korean Hot Springs

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/133FGOU

We're having unseasonably cold (and snowy) weather in Korea. As if the frigid temperature and icy sidewalks weren't enough, winter can also bring sniffles and stiff muscles.

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One surefire way to beat the chill and stay healthy during the long Korean winter is to visit one of the hundreds of hot springs that dot the country. Water heated deep within the earth's crust is what creates a hot spring and those in Korea can top 25 degrees Celsius.

Submerging oneself in these waters has many benefits and even ancient Koreans took advantage of them. King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty was said to have built a palace right by OnYang Oncheon, one of Korea's oldest hot springs, so he could enjoy the waters while still carrying out his official duties.

Taek-won Ahn Director of Daejon University's Oriental Hospital says that three elements of hot springs offer benefits to visitors. The minerals in the water create beneficial chemical reactions with your body. The heat and pressure of the water also boost circulation.

Seawater, carbonic acid (think bubbles!) and sulfur springs are the three most common types of springs in Korea and they have different effects. According to Ahn, salt springs are good for rheumatism, nerve pain and skin infections. Sulfur springs can help with chronic skin conditions, asthma, nerve pain and breathing disorders. Carbonic acid springs are recommended for improving blood circulation and gastrointestinal issues.

Hot springs can be a boon for your skin, too. Not only is soaking in hot water highly relaxing, but elements like sulfur can dissolve dead skin cells. Getting rid of the upper layer of dead cells translates into soft and glowing skin like a baby's. A bath, especially in an outdoor spring where you can enjoy nature, will help you forget the stress from city life. Since stress is known to be the cause of a host of physical ailments, a calming hot spring bath is a wonderful way to stay healthy.

If you've never been to a hot spring in Korea before, it's definitely a must-do when you visit!

About the author by Anna Sohn

I'm a New Jersey girl with a lifelong fascination with Korea, my motherland. In 2011, I moved to Seoul and I've enjoyed living in this wired and fast-paced city ever since. I'm excited to share the latest tech and design developments I encounter in Korea and hope you enjoy the AT&D blog as much I enjoy writing for it!

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