Water Immune Booster

Walking on water may be reserved to a select few, but walking in water is a simple immune-boosting treatment anyone can do. This form of hydrotherapy-called dew walking or water stepping-was one of many pioneered by Father Sebastian Kneipp in the 19th century.

When you go dew walking, remember to warm up your feet first, then take a five-minute walk early in the morning on the wet grass. As you walk, you increase your lower-body circulation and tone your muscles, veins and immune system. Dry off your feet and put on warm socks.

Water stepping can be done in a large bucket or a bathtub. Be sure to warm up your body through exercise or a footbath before you begin. There should be a big difference between your skin temperature and the water temperature; a difference of at least 10 C is most effective in a cold water treatment.

Lift one leg completely out of the cold water before immersing the other leg. The difference between the warm air and the cold water produces a healing effect, easing vascular headaches, mild hypertension and vulnerability to infections. Ten minutes after a cold treatment follow with a warm application to reheat the body.

Taking a full bath in cold water for 10 seconds can also increase your metabolism, immunity and circulation.