During the nineteenth century, Victorians were outdoors more than ever before as health spas flourished, fresh air vacations came into vogue and the first home gym caused a fitness craze among the languid, laid-back ambiance of cultivated manners and style.
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Advances in medicine saw compassion as a new way of treating mental health. Anxiety conditions such as neurasthenia or information overload stress affected both men and women, and the theory of female hysteria collapsed.
One of the most popular health treatments of the Victoria Era is water therapy or hydrotherapy. Thousands of years old, water treatments had a major revival in the 19th century. Salt water bathing and fresh air were enjoyed for therapeutic benefits and overall health. Suddenly, everyone was going to the beach.
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Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, was adamant about bathing in sea water for health. He was especially fond of the Isle of Wight for recuperative and holiday purposes. Victoria used an ornate bathing machine to change and swim in the ocean.
Bathing huts or machines are said to have been invented in England during the eighteenth century by Benjamin Beale, a glove and breeches maker in Margate, Kent. The invention of the bath machine reflected growing personal modesty. Prior to bathing costumes and huts of the 18th century, most people just swam naked.
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The 18th century lady bather covered it all. She waded into the water in heavy wool skirts, bathing corset, bloomers, long sleeves, special swim stockings and slippers. It wasn't much better by the 19th century, although skirts and sleeves were shorter. Very daring.
Thus, with help from testimonials of Prince Albert, the bathing house or bath machine on wheels came into widespread use during the Victorian era health and fitness movements. The lady could step inside and change into her bathing attire, and the machines were rolled, cranked, horse drawn or hand pulled into the water, where she could then bathe in privacy.
One regimen involved a strong member of the same sex in the bath hut. She'd literally throw the bather into the sea, and haul her out again. Done several times, it was a form of natural health therapy.
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English seashores were much in demand by European vacationers, especially those from countries with few or no saltwater beaches. Bath houses were also used for lake and river freshwater swimming. In sea water or fresh, swimming is a beneficial low impact exercise, helping to tone muscles and increase agility. People with arthritis, disabilities or injuries can benefit from jumping in the lake.
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Bath houses eventually became beach party shacks as young ladies had theirs set together, facing away from shore, and swam in groups. Bathing in ocean water has known therapeutic benefits such as an infusion of minerals magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride and sulphate, to treat skin ailments like psoriasis, acne and other skin conditions. It's also rich in potassium, zinc, iron and magnesium.
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Bathing in sea water benefits the respiratory system and can reduce symptoms of asthma and sinusitis. It relieves stress and pain, and fortifies the immune s ystem. It may lessen the appearance of cellulite by enhancing the flow of lymph fluid, a natural clear fluid in the body.
Sea water can also remove impurities and exfoliate skin. The therapeutic and restorative effects of fresh sea air and water are legendary. Today, over 270 million people visit the British coastline every year. 172 million of them come for the fresh air, holiday atmosphere and health benefits of seaside beaches.
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