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.