Ways to relax that are worth their weight in water

Water is really good for you. Admittedly, when it falls from the sky for weeks on end, it can be more taxing than relaxing, but the health benefits of hydrotherapy, or simply being near blue spaces, are well-documented. It’s shown to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, while also promoting an overall feeling of peace. 

As summer heats up, it can be hard to find time for yourself to unwind, so we’re here with a friendly suggestion — take a swig of that H2O, and dive into one of these Pacific Northwest experiences.

CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel is an urban oasis in the heart of Portland’s vibrant Alberta Arts District, where you can tailor your rejuvenation journey in three distinct areas. Start in the Sanctuary, a dark and silent underground space where all tension dissipates. Move between the mineral, ambient, and hot vitality pools at your own pace, and keep the thermal cycle going in the cold plunge, sauna, ice fountain, and steam room. These sudden shifts in temperature help initiate your body’s natural response, reducing inflammation and boosting energy.

In the Conservatory, the pool is kept at 82 degrees year round. Lounge on the daybeds and, like the plants that surround you, soak up the sunlight filtering in through the glass. Outdoors in the Secret Garden, you can enjoy the chilled rainfall walk and fire circle. We suggest also booking a massage, facial, or mud scrub.

Another popular aquatic remedy is floating in sensory deprivation tanks. This treatment combines water and Epsom salt to immerse you in a solution more buoyant than the Dead Sea. As you settle into the tub, the ambient temperature matches that of your skin; with no light or sound, you’re able to lose track of your body and turn down the part of your brain that worries about things. This can lower your cortisol, the hormone connected to stress, while the sense of “anti-gravity” can also work wonders on aching joints. Give it a try at Float Seattle or Float On in Portland. 

For many people, practicing yoga helps them find their center. Others go in search of tranquility on glassy waters atop a stand-up paddleboard. Both require balance and steady breathing — and especially so when you combine the two activities. You might think, “if I try that I’ll end up in the drink,” but there are classes that are suitable for all skill levels, hosted by WASUP Yoga on Seattle’s Shilshole Bay or on the Willamette River with eNRG Kayaking.

Prefer to cruise the waters with refreshments in hand? What’s better than a boat, that’s also a hot tub? Imagine, the Space Needle and Seattle skyline twinkle under a soft sunset. The heat is turned up high and the bubbles are actually in your glass. Cheers to that — and leisure unlike anything you’ve ever enjoyed — thanks to Lake Union Hot Tub Boats. For Portland residents, Yacht Tubs is a great option for a date night downtown. 

OK, we hear you — you want to kick back and be completely hands-off. How does chartering a yacht sound? With Oasis Yacht Seattle, you can visit points of interest close to home like Gas Works Park or range farther out into the San Juan Islands and beyond on overnight voyages. Expect all the amenities of a luxury hotel suite, with the attention of experienced crew members. You’re not the captain, but you are in charge, so why not hop off to grab dinner and drinks at Anthony's at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes or Anthony's HomePort Edmonds?

Aboard the FRS Clipper ferry, you depart from Seattle’s Pier 69 and spend 3 hours oohing and ahhing at the Puget Sound on the way to Victoria, BC. Upon arrival, explore The Butchart Gardens or go whale watching on the Salish Sea, and then check in to the partner hotel of your choice before returning the following day. It makes for a weekend on the water you won’t forget.