Water has always been looked upon as a tool for cleansing and healing - physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Cultures around the world equate water with healing and energy which date back to a time when early humans were on their own to figure out how to heal. Discovering that water has healing properties, they associated it with particular bodies of water they believed were imbued with healing powers. Today people travel great distances to drink or bath in water from mountains, wells and springs to that end.
While most of the well-known sacred wells and waters of the world are found in Europe, other cultures also have sacred sites which attract visitors each year.
Holy water is typically located at the entrance to a church (or sometimes in a separate room or building called a baptistery). Smaller vessels, called stoups, are usually placed at the entrances of the church, to enable people to bless themselves when entering.
Hydrotherapy is used for physical ailments such as back problems, faster wound healing, and relieving painful arthritis.
Cold water therapy has been shown to help improve mental health, speed muscle recovery after strenuous activity, reduce muscle soreness, improve circulation, increase physical performance, strengthen immunity, protect brain function, increase metabolism, and help manage pain.
Swimming with dolphins is a form of emotional therapy.
Drinking the proper amount of water for one's body also acts as a cleansing agent.