Article

HSA/FSA Eligibility at WorldSprings

Book at WorldSprings with HSA/FSA Funds

At WorldSprings, we believe that soaking in mineral hot springs and using saunas may help you sleep better, de-stress, and contribute to your overall health. Through our collaboration with Truemed, eligible customers can now use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds on soak reservations, memberships, massages, and performance therapies. This means you may be eligible to soak with pre-tax dollars, resulting in average net savings of 30%.

Getting reimbursed for WorldSprings purchases from your HSA/FSA is easy, follow these steps!

Take a 2-minute evaluation survey from Truemed that will be reviewed by a licensed practitioner.
If eligible, Truemed's licensed practitioners will issue you a Letter of Medical Necessity (similar to a doctor writing a prescription). The letter will cover 12 months of reimbursements at WorldSprings! (soak admission, memberships, massages, and performance therapies)
Truemed will send you instructions to obtain reimbursement from your HSA/FSA administrators.
Make your purchase at WorldSprings with your debit or credit card, and save your receipt for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA

Find out if you qualify by filling out the evaluation survey

If you have difficulty submitting a claim for reimbursement, reach out to [email protected] and Truemed will provide the information that your HSA/FSA administrator is requesting

How Soaking in a Hot Spring Pool Can Help Prevent Cold & Flu

on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes

How Soaking in a Hot Spring Pool Can Help Prevent Colds and Flu Fall might bring cooler days, brightly colored leaves, and ubiquitous pumpkin spice, but it also means the arrival of cold and flu season. As we start spending more time indoors, germs have more opportunities to spread, and it won’t be long before it seems like everyone is coughing, sniffling, and sneezing. We’ve all learned some cold and flu prevention tips over the last few years, from masking up in public to washing our hands more often. But even when you take precautions, there’s a chance you’ll get sick. When you do, visiting a hot springs facility like WorldSprings can help alleviate your symptoms and help you feel better faster. Navigating the Cold and Flu Season COVID-19 might have been the star of the show for the last few years, but that doesn’t mean the viruses that cause colds and the flu have disappeared. In fact, there are more than 200 different respiratory viruses that can cause cold symptoms, as well as dozens of influenza viruses. The viruses that cause the common cold are highly contagious. They can spread through the air, close personal contact with an infected person, or by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface with the virus on it. Millions of people get colds every year. Symptoms range from mild nasal congestion and a runny nose to coughing, sneezing, a headache, sore throat, and body aches. In most cases, a cold doesn’t cause a fever; a fever is typically a sign that you have the flu or a more severe illness. Most people would rather avoid getting a cold since the virus can make them miserable, and symptoms last up to two weeks. Regular handwashing, not touching your face, and wearing a mask can help stop the spread of the nasty germs, but you can do even more to boost your immune system and get through the winter without a cold, leaving you down for the count. How a Hot Springs Pool Can Help Reduce Cold & Flu Symptoms Relaxing in a hot spring pool can do wonders for your mood and overall well-being. Soaking in warm water can help you sleep better since warm water can trigger a relaxation response. While you soak, your body temperature increases; when you leave the pool, your body temperature drops, which signals your body that it’s time to sleep. When you don’t feel well, a relaxing soak in warm water can help ease your aches and pains and provide a few additional benefits that can prevent and soothe your symptoms. Immune System Boost Slipping into a hot springs pool for a relaxing soak can give your immune system a much-needed boost to fight off infectious germs. But do hot soaks boost the immune system? They do! For starters, hot water can create a “false fever” by elevating your body temperature, which can stop cold viruses from reproducing and making you sick. If you already have a cold, warming your body can help shorten its duration. Soaking in hot water can also increase circulation, which also helps strengthen your immune system and make you feel better. Increasing your body temperature causes blood vessels to dilate, which supports better blood flow and delivers more oxygen to your organs. This can help increase production of the white blood cells that can fight off an infection. Just the simple act of relaxing in the pool can also help support your immune system. When you’re stressed, your immune system doesn’t respond as well to the stress hormone cortisol. Not only does this make you more susceptible to colds, but it can also worsen your symptoms. Adding frequent hot springs soaks to your self-care routine can help you stay healthy even when surrounded by germs. Finally, soaking in mineral springs can deliver a powerful boost of beneficial minerals that help support a healthy immune system. Your skin can absorb the minerals in the water, including immune-boosting magnesium, sulfur, potassium, iron, and zinc, which can help you fight off colds and the flu. Respiratory Benefits Research shows that dry air contributes to the spread of cold and flu germs, in some part because it dries out your nasal passages and makes them more vulnerable to viruses. Spending time in a hot springs pool with steam can add much-needed moisture, which can help you avoid getting sick and relieve congestion if you feel like you’re coming down with something. Extra moisture in the air opens your nasal passages so you can breathe easier and loosens mucus to clear out the congestion more easily. Hydration It might seem counterintuitive, but spending time in hot springs can contribute to dehydration, making you feel worse when you’re sick and leaving you more vulnerable to illness. Staying hydrated during cold and flu season is essential to prevent infection and help alleviate your symptoms. Visit WorldSprings As Part of Your Winter Wellness Plan With cold and flu season right around the corner, it’s time to start taking precautions to avoid getting sick this winter. Schedule a visit to WorldSprings to relax and give yourself the gift of a stronger immune system.

Why a Hot Springs Pool Makes the Perfect Holiday Getaway

on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes

Why a Hot Springs Pool Makes the Perfect Holiday Getaway Holidays present the perfect opportunity to relax and get away from the bustle of daily life. Even so, that time off can be stressful — especially if you’re juggling travel plans, family visits, and a whole new list of to-do’s. So why not take a day to yourself to truly focus on your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing? Soaking in a hot spring pool has many benefits, especially during times of increased stress and fatigue. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, rejuvenating retreat or a tranquil place to soothe tired muscles, a hot springs getaway is an excellent way to make the holidays more enjoyable. 5 Ways a Hot Springs Soak Can Boost Your Holiday Enjoyment 1. Reduced Stress The holiday season, while exciting and joyful, can be taxing. Between shopping in crowded stores, rushing to finish last-minute work obligations, navigating family conflicts, and the stress of traveling, it’s not unusual for some to feel mentally and emotionally exhausted by the end of their break. Finding ways to unwind and alleviate stress can significantly improve your holiday experience, giving you the calm and serene feeling you deserve during your time off. Hot springs getaways may be the answer to your holiday stress. There’s a reason we associate warm baths with self-care — they allow us to clear our minds, turn off our stress response, and let our bodies truly relax. A hot springs pool provides the added benefit of a soothing, spa-like atmosphere and mineral-rich waters. Once you book your time at a hot spring, there’s no more need to rush. You can sit back, relax, and let the tension of the holidays melt away. 2. Pain Relief Traveling puts a lot of physical stress on the body, even when you aren’t moving much yourself. Sitting in a cramped car or plane for hours at a time keeps your blood from circulating properly, especially in your legs, feet, and ankles. This can lead to swelling and achy joints and muscles that follow you throughout the festivities. A mineral hot spring soak may ease some of that tension and bring much-needed relief. The warmth loosens stiff joints and muscles, while the buoyancy removes external pressures from your body and helps you relax. The minerals in hot spring water, such as the chloride, magnesium, and sodium of our Dead Sea pool, can also help relieve joint pain and inflammation. 3. Muscle Recovery Athletes enjoying their time off can benefit from rest and recovery over the holidays. For active individuals, rest days are an essential part of a healthy exercise routine. Taking some downtime gives your body the chance to heal and build muscle. Allowing your body to recover also reduces your risk of overuse injuries. Dedicating one of your rest days to a hot springs visit can substantially improve your recovery. Warm or hot water is known to dilate your blood vessels, a process called vasodilation. This improves blood flow, supplying oxygen and other necessary nutrients to tissues throughout the body. Better circulation contributes to reduced swelling and faster recovery. 4. Enhanced Sleep Quality Many people hope to use their time off to catch up on sleep, but in reality, you might be losing it. According to a 2022 survey, 43% of adults sleep less during the holiday season. This is generally due to holiday preparations, late night parties, travel fatigue, and stress. Studies have extensively shown that those who take warm baths are likely to have better quality sleep. Mineral hot springs can provide the same benefit, with the added advantages of having rejuvenating, pain-relieving, and stress-relieving qualities. If the holidays are stressing you out to the point of losing sleep, going for a hot springs soak could help you fall asleep and stay asleep easier at night. 5. Improved Mood During the rush and bustle of the holiday season, there’s little time to self-reflect and focus on your mental health. With so much added pressure, stress, and fatigue, it’s no wonder this time of year can be known for causing sour moods and flared tempers. If you need some time to yourself or to be alone with your partner, a hot springs holiday getaway might be the best way to reset your mental state. By soothing your body and mind, mineral hot springs can help improve your mood. You’ll leave calm, refreshed, and ready to face family festivities with a more relaxed and open mind. Visit WorldSprings: Your Path to Holiday Wellness Hot spring pools can have a profound impact on your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, no matter what the time of year. At WorldSprings, we welcome you to immerse yourself in our mineral-rich waters and enjoy the restorative effects of our regionally inspired pools. With varying temperatures and mineral balances, each soaking pool is designed to refresh and renew in different ways. If you want to bring the whole family, the little ones can enjoy the crystal-clear pools of the South Pacific region, where all ages are welcome. Book your visit to give yourself the gift of relaxation, or get a WorldSprings gift card for a loved one to promote wellness throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Why Are Hot Springs Beneficial for Marathon Runners?

on Oct 2, 2024 | 5 minutes

Why Are Hot Springs Beneficial for Marathon Runners? Participating in a marathon is a goal for numerous individuals. Seeing their perseverance, dedication and discipline pay off is just as rewarding to marathon runners as crossing the finish line. The BMW Marathon in Dallas is right around the corner. Leading up to this early December event (and year-round runs), make soaks in WorldSprings hot springs pools part of your pre-and post-marathon recovery. 5 Benefits of Hot Springs Mineral Baths for Marathon Runners In addition to calves and hamstrings in the legs, running also gives glutes, hip flexors, quads and core muscles a workout. The BMW Dallas Marathon is a 26.2-mile stretch, which means these muscles will feel the burn as you navigate the far-reaching course through Dallas neighborhoods. Training for numerous hours weekly is expected to build endurance and strength while curbing potential discomfort during the race. Soaking in hot springs pools helps prepare and recover from intense training sessions. In nature, the hot water dissolves minerals from the surrounding rocks. The high mineral content contributes to the health benefits of hot springs. WorldSprings is home to over 40 mineral hot springs across an expansive open-air complex divided into adults-only and all-access regions. The waters in each region contain different mineral makeups that boast different whole-body health and wellness benefits. 1. Boosts Circulation Your muscles require oxygenated blood to prevent your body from buckling while training and during the marathon. Running helps achieve this goal. Pounding the pavement causes your heart to beat faster. The quickened pace improves blood circulation and ensures oxygen keeps your muscles in the game. For a less strenuous way to help muscles power through intense training and the marathon, soak in hot springs mineral baths. The heat opens blood vessels for better circulation. The baths in the South Pacific, Asiatic and Americas regions contain bicarbonate. Once absorbed into the body, the mineral boosts blood and oxygen flow while acting as a janitor. The mineral stops the burning sensation in muscles that otherwise could bring the run to a screeching halt. Carbonate pulls excess hydrogen from muscles, increasing muscle pH to curb the burning sensation so muscles can endure the strain. 2. Soothes Sore Leg Muscles & Prevents Future Discomfort Soaking in hot water helps alleviate soreness. The water temperature in WorldSprings’ mineral hot baths ranges from the mid-80s to low 100s degrees Fahrenheit. The heat is a lifesaver when leg muscles are sore because the high temperatures reduce muscle stiffness, restoring flexibility. The stiffness contributes to muscle tightness, soreness and an increased risk of injury. After the impact of running on hard surfaces, floating in the low-resistance water takes the strain off sore joints and muscles for relief, too. Wading in the hot springs mineral baths before training or the marathon also benefits muscles. The heat causes blood vessels to open, which ramps up blood flow to muscles as a preemptive strike against future soreness. 3. Reduces Post-Training and Post-Marathon Inflammation Any stress put on the body causes inflammation, so muscle inflammation while training for a marathon is par for the course. Inflammation is a good thing because the dilation of blood vessels and the porosity of surrounding tissue create an open door for immune cells to reach the achy areas. Unfortunately, this immune system response can leave the affected areas swollen, red and in pain. Muscle soreness and inflammation are not the same. Hot mineral baths help alleviate soreness, while cold water reduces inflammation. A dip in WorldSprings’ cold plunges (kept at 55 degrees Fahrenheit) in the European, Asiatic and Americas regions is recommended for immediate post-training recovery and right after the marathon. The cold water compresses blood vessels to reduce swelling and discomfort. Soaking in the mineral hot springs later can further reduce lingering achiness. Potassium, specifically, when absorbed into the body aids muscle and joint recovery by helping keep electrolytes in balance. Potassium flows through the waters in the South Pacific, European, Asiatic and Americas regions at WorldSprings. 4. Promotes Mental and Whole-Body Wellness Getting the pre-marathon jitters is normal, and soaking in mineral hot springs can help restore a sense of calm to help keep your mind focused on the marathon goal. The magnesium in WorldSprings’ South Pacific, Dead Sea, Asiatic and Americas regions can help alleviate anxiety and stress. Reducing stress can lead to a better night’s sleep—which is vital for marathon runners to remain alert and energized. 5. Alleviates Foot Discomfort While wearing comfortable running shoes, feet will still take most of the force during an intense, long-distance run. At WorldSprings, you can soak your feet in cold water to ease swelling caused by inflammation and warm water to combat soreness and achiness in your feet and ankles. The hot water also opens blood vessels to increase flow in the lower half of the body.

Experience it for yourself

Book your next soak