We all know that hot tubs allure their attraction with their hot and steamy water and powerful, massaging jets. But, did you know hot tubs also have many other health benefits to calm your body, mind, and heart? Hot tubs not only bring you a calming and relaxing therapy, but they also improve your blood pressure, muscles, joints, and anxiety. Read more below to find out the top 6 health benefits of using a hot tub.
Stress/Anxiety Relief
Soaking in a hot tub is one of the most soothing and relaxing properties for your body and mind. We all know that feeling of sitting back into a tub of hot water and that instant relief of your stresses from the day washing away down the drain. The hot water in hot tubs opens up your blood vessels, allowing that tension built up in your body from stress to dissolve. For an added effect, chromotherapy lighting, jets, and aromas around your hot tub also helps fade all your problems away. No wonder we have a natural relief sensation when getting into an inviting, warm hot tub!
Improves Sleep
Having trouble falling asleep or getting that full 8 hours of rest? A simple dip in the hot tub for only 15-20 minutes before bed helps wind you down for the night and prepare you for a restful sleep. The water, jets, and any other added relaxing effects during your soak will calm your body and drift you off to a peaceful state. Studies show that relaxing in hot water before bedtime induces a much deeper, longer sleep.
Cardiovascular Health
Hydrotherapy decreases blood pressure and increases heart rate. Making a routine out of dipping into your hot tub for 10 minutes or so every evening can decrease your risk of heart problems. Naturally, the feelings of relaxation and the opening of blood vessels to circulate better will improve your blood pressure. Doing this daily can help you long term. Hot water moves blood from the extremities to your central heart area, thereby increasing the amount of blood to your heart. This increase in the volume of blood allows for easier circulation throughout your body, meaning bringing more oxygen flow to your body, which allows your lungs, muscles, and heart to function more efficiently. In addition, improved circulation helps you avoid potential diseases and sicknesses.
Sports/Exercise Injuries and Sore Muscles
Many athletes or anyone who exercises are encouraged to hop into a hot tub immediately after a hard work out. Why? Because hot tubs begin that relaxation process in your muscles to help soreness. It is a recovery method. The hot water actually loosens your tightened muscles from the workout, making it a great injury prevention practice for future hard workouts. Continuously pounding your muscles workout after workout without allowing them to relax leads to injury. They need recovery and a hot tub is a perfect antidote.
Relieves Symptoms of Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, Lower Back Pain, and other Body Pains
Arthritis causes chronic joint pain and swelling, reducing your range of motion. Studies have shown that using hydrotherapy with your hot tub on a daily basis temporarily relieves arthritis joint pain. There have been people who experienced a significant reduction in pain after only a few weeks of using a hot tub. Similarly, spa therapy helps people with fibromyalgia. Spa therapy helps improve physical functionality and mobility, sleep quality, pain intensity, fatigue during the day, and muscle tenderness/pain. Likewise, those who suffer from chronic back pain can see a huge improvement from spa therapy.
Burns Calories
Combining both a daily exercise routine and finishing it off with a 15-20 minute soak in your hot tub helps burn off calories in a healthy way. In only 20 minutes, you can burn up to 17 calories in your hot tub. All of the other effects from a hot tub such as relaxation and dopamine production are important to losing weight.
Overall, there are many interconnected health benefits to using a hot tub. Relaxing your mind, body, and spirit are essential to fixing many problems you may have in your life such as sleeping, soreness, aching, stress, anxiety, heart issues, blood pressure, chronic muscle and back pains, and the list goes on.
Further Reading
If you are looking to learn more about your hot tub or looking to buy one, read more in our other article, Build a Vacation in your Backyard. For more information about what to look for in a hot tub, read our article, A Guide to Customizing your Hot Tub.
