Key Takeaways:
- Light Therapy and Music Therapy can both be used to help relieve stress and tension
- Steam showers are a great way to combine the two therapies for more effective results
- The combination of light, sound, and steam helps reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, aid in relaxation, stimulate creativity, enhance moods and promote overall wellbeing
- Different coloured lights have different effects on the body; blue light is calming, while red light invigorates
- Incorporating essential oils into your steam shower session further enhances its health benefits
The winter months are particularly harsh on us, and they can have an exceptionally negative impact on our mood and mental health. As the days become shorter and the nights longer, it is common for people to become more susceptible to depression.
Steam is fantastic for our physical and mental well-being. When combined with chromotherapy (light therapy), you will find that it is able to enhance further the excellent range of benefits that steam showers have to offer.
In this guide, we take a more detailed look at how light and music therapy are able to improve your steam shower experience and the ways in which things like aromatherapy might be able to bring some pizzazz to your steam session.
How Does Chromotherapy (Light Therapy) Enhance the Benefits of a Steam Shower?
Chromotherapy, also known as light therapy, is a POWERFUL tool for enhancing the benefits of steam shower TECHNOLOGY [1]. In addition to helping ease symptoms of mental health, it can aid with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) [3].
Using various colours and shades of light to CREATE an immersive environment, chromotherapy can help REDUCE stress levels and anxiety while providing mental clarity and relaxation. This type of therapy has been used for centuries to PROMOTE physical healing and emotional well-being.
Pro Tip: When utilized with a steam shower session (or a steam bath), it can enhance the overall experience by creating a therapeutic space that encourages peace and tranquillity.
What Effect Do Different Colour Lights Have on the Body?
- Red Light: Stimulates the body, invigorates energy and encourages circulation.
- Blue Light: Induces relaxation, calms emotions and promotes a sense of peace.
- Green Light: Promotes balance and healing for both mind and body.
- Violet/Purple Light: Enhances spirituality and awareness while stimulating creativity.
- Orange Light: Aids in digestion, eases muscular pain, boosts motivation & mental clarity
- Yellow Light: Enhances concentration levels & alertness while increasing feelings of happiness & joy.
How Does Music or Sound Therapy Enhance the Benefits of a Steam Shower?
Music therapy is a fantastic tool that can be used to ENHANCE the experience of a steam shower. Music can help REDUCE stress and anxiety while providing mental clarity and relaxation.
When COMBINED with chromotherapy (light therapy), music enhances the overall therapeutic environment by creating an immersive atmosphere that ENCOURAGES peace and tranquillity.
Pro Tip: Regular steam shower sessions can help to regulate the body's circadian rhythm and even alleviate depression and anxiety when combined with the essential oil of your choosing.
Music therapy has been used for CENTURIES to promote physical healing and emotional well-being, so it makes sense to use it in conjunction with a steam generator to IMPROVE mood and potentially improve SLEEP.
Can Natural Remedies be Used in a Steam Shower for Additional Health Benefits?
Using natural remedies in a steam shower can offer MANY additional health benefits. Natural ingredients such as HERBS, essential oils, and other plant-based substances are often used to promote physical healing and EMOTIONAL well-being.
Other NATURAL remedies such as honey, sea salt and Epsom salts can also be used to detoxify the body, reduce stress levels and PROMOTE relaxation.
Pro Tip: In addition to providing therapeutic benefits, the use of natural remedies can help create an immersive environment that encourages relaxation and peace.
By combining these NATURAL remedies with light therapy (chromotherapy) and music/sound therapy, you can further enhance your steam shower EXPERIENCE for maximum benefit.
How Does Cold or Hot Therapy Enhance the Benefits of a Steam Shower?
Hot and cold therapy can both be used to enhance the BENEFITS of a steam shower. Hot therapy helps to relax muscles, REDUCE inflammation, and relieve pain, while cold therapy helps to reduce swelling, numb soreness, and EASE muscle tension.
When combined with other THERAPEUTIC methods, such as light or music therapy, hot and cold therapies offer an even greater range of BENEFITS for users of steam showers.
Pro Tip: Hot water can help increase circulation, while cold water helps soothe any aches or pains that may have been caused by the heat generated during a steam session.
In addition to providing physical RELIEF from ailments such as muscle stiffness or joint pain, these therapies also PROMOTE mental clarity and relaxation, further enhancing the overall EXPERIENCE of using a steam shower.
How Do Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Affect the Steam Shower Experience?
Aromatherapy is used to promote physical HEALING and emotional well-being while providing an immersive environment that encourages peace and CALM.
By combining AROMATHERAPY with light and music therapy, users of steam showers can enjoy an even greater range of mental and PHYSICAL benefits.
Essential oils, such as peppermint or eucalyptus, can help REDUCE stress and anxiety while also providing relief from any muscle SORENESS or joint pain caused by the steam shower [2].
The Best Essential Oils for a Steam Shower
- Eucalyptus – helps to reduce stress and anxiety, relieves muscle soreness and joint pain, and improves respiratory function
- Peppermint – invigorates the senses while providing relief from physical ailments such as headaches or colds
- Lavender – promotes relaxation while helping to soothe any aches or pains caused by the steam shower
- Tea Tree – boosts immunity and energy levels while encouraging mental clarity and focus
- Rosemary - aids in digestion, increases circulation, reduces inflammation, eliminate toxins, and provides calming aromatherapy benefits
- Bergamot– assists with skin healing, alleviates feelings of depression or sadness, restores balance and eases tension in muscles
- Chamomile– induces sleepiness for those who have difficulty sleeping due to anxiety or stress-related issues
- Frankincense– aids in meditation or prayerful reflection; it has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain
- Clary Sage– helps regulate hormones; encourages a sense of calmness & inner peace during stressful times
- Ylang Ylang– uplifts moods; boosts confidence & optimism; enhances feelings of joy & positivity
To Conclude
From light to sound and aromatherapy, there are a VARIETY of therapeutic techniques that can be used to ENHANCE the overall experience of using a steam shower in your very own home spa.
By COMBINING chromotherapy (light therapy) with music or sound therapy, natural remedies, hot or cold therapies, and essential oils, you can CREATE an immersive environment that encourages peace and TRANQUILITY while promoting physical healing and emotional well-being.
Whether you’re looking for RELIEF from muscle soreness or joint pain or just want some extra relaxation time in your steam shower session, these various THERAPIES will help ensure your NEEDS are met.
Sources:
- Azeemi STY, Raza M. A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2005;2(4):481-488. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neh137
- Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work? Hopkinsmedicine.org. Published August 8, 2021. Accessed March 8, 2023. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work
- NHS Choices. Overview - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Published 2023. Accessed March 9, 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/
Content editor, marketer and product tester. A regular contributor for the ‘Home And Garden’ and Modern Homes Magazines, now part of a close-knit team, I oversee all the content on Posh. All roads have led to this job which I love. I get to focus on my love of interior design and health and work with a fabulous team. The role brings me a good level of freedom to my family and me and keeps me productive
