What I Learned About Stress Relief and Importance of Slowing Down at Murrieta Hot Springs
From geothermal soaks to sound baths, here’s what truly worked for me
As someone with a self-confessed “Type A” personality who has trouble slowing down (hello, stresslaxing!), it comes as no surprise that it’s hard for me to truly unwind. But chronic stress has a way of catching up to us, and as the health director at Woman’s World, I know all too well how it can affect both my physical and mental health. In an effort to break out of the go-go-go nature of daily life and give my nervous system a chance to reset, I escaped to Murrieta Hot Springs Resort with my sister Sarah for a long weekend—and was honestly amazed at how rejuvenating it was.
I’d been struggling with high cortisol levels
While I’ve always had a hunch that my levels of the stress hormone cortisol were elevated, a recent Superpower blood test confirmed it. So I made a conscious choice that, hard as it was, I was going to work on prioritizing self-care and reducing my stress levels. A wellness resort nestled in Southern California seemed like the perfect place to start.
After checking into a hillside suite—complete with a cozy fireplace and private outdoor soaking tub—we set out to explore the resort. It boasts more than 49 pools filled with natural geothermal mineral water, a panoramic sauna, cold plunges, a bath hall with a contrast Kneipp walk (more on that below), gym and spa, among other amenities.
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The resort was originally founded in 1902 after people had been flocking to the healing hot springs for years, then reopened in 2024 after a thoughtful restoration designed to promote relaxation and wellness at every turn.
The power of Murrieta Hot Spring Resort’s geothermal soaks
Each hot spring varies slightly in temperature from “warm” to “very hot” (I found myself gravitating toward the extra steamy ones). The water is a blend of nine minerals, including skin-soothing sodium and silica.
As I sank into the first of many hot springs that weekend, I closed my eyes and let the warmth wash over me. Instead of worrying about to-do lists, deadlines or unanswered emails, I tried to focus—if only for a few minutes—on being in the present. The gentle breeze, the sun on my face, the birds chirping.
It wasn’t long before I felt my breathing start to slow and my body relax. And it’s no wonder: A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that people who took warm baths for about 30 minutes a day five days per week lowered their resting heart rate by activating the body’s “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system.
Better yet, these soothing breaks weren’t just a welcome respite during the day—guests who stay overnight at the resort get 24/7 access to the hot springs, which meant I could end my evening soaking under the stars.
Sound baths, saunas and spa sessions
While Murrieta Hot Springs may be best known for its hot springs, which are scattered across the 46-acre resort, they’re far from the only wellness experiences that can help relieve stress. The next morning, we made our way to the Roman spa pool for an aqua sound bath session. Alongside a handful of other guests, I practiced deep breathing exercises while the sounds and vibrations of singing bowls floating in the water grounded me firmly in the present.
And yes, while I struggled to clear my mind at first, the session slowly chipped away at that lingering tension I’d been holding onto. In fact, research in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that after a single session of singing bowl meditation, participants reported significantly less tension, anger and fatigue.
Next, we ventured into the resort’s bath hall and grabbed a seat in the panoramic sauna with views of the pool below. Three times a day, the sauna has an aromatherapy session for different health benefits: eucalyptus-mint to energize and refresh, neroli to calm and uplift (my favorite) and chamomile-lemon to promote relaxation.
Before joining an afternoon yoga flow session, I tried my hand at the hydrotherapy practice known as a Kneipp Walk. The wellness technique, which involves walking along a short, pebbled path in warm water before walking through cold water, taps into the benefit of contrast bathing to boost circulation and promote healing—much like the guided cold plunge we tried the next day.
In keeping with the hot-cold combo, I booked a contrast stone massage, in which a skilled massage therapist used both warm and cool stones to help improve bloodflow, tame inflammation and most importantly, usher in relaxation. By the end of my second day, I was finally learning how to enjoy these moments of calm guilt-free, knowing it was something my body—and mind—truly needed. Cliche as it may be, the old saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” still rings true.
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort’s foods that nourish
As I’ve learned from years as a health writer and editor, true stress management is about more than just what you do—it’s about what you feed your body. A Tiny Health gut health test had revealed my gut microbiome was in need of a little TLC, and fortunately, there was no shortage of healthy, delicious options to choose from at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort.
Some standouts: The Beets + Berries Salad at Guenther’s Lounge is packed with leafy greens, avocado and macadamia nuts—all foods proven to help ease stress and anxiety. And the Moroccan Spiced Mary’s Half at Talia Kitchen pairs protein-rich chicken with smoked almonds, which act as a prebiotic (meaning they feed beneficial bacteria) to help improve gut health.
Stress relief doesn’t have to be complicated
While it’s impossible to completely avoid tension altogether, learning how to cope with stress and carve out little moments of peace has helped me shift my mindset. Now, instead of rushing from one task to the next, I’m making a point to pause every now and then and enjoy being in the moment, whether that’s spending a few extra minutes cuddling my dog Nala or lingering over dinner with my husband Jason. Little by little, I’m working to reframe my body’s stress response—and improve my health in the process.
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