Hot tubs are a fixture of backyards nationwide, prized for their year-round usability and general “aah” feeling of relaxation. But did you know that soaking in a hot tub actually carries several unexpected health benefits?
Whether you already own a hot tub or are considering purchasing one, explore these undeniable benefits, which range from improved flexibility to heart health.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Your Hot Tub
Before easing into the benefits of hot tub hydrotherapy, maybe it’s best to set some ground rules. If you’re investing in a hot tub for its health and wellness benefits, you should follow a few straightforward guidelines to maximize your chances of healthful results. Some of these guidelines include:
- Capping Your Time: Most medical experts and physiotherapists recommend spending around 15 minutes in the tub in a single sitting, followed by a cool-down period. However, you should speak with your practitioner and listen to your body to learn what’s best for you.
- Dialing in the Temperature: The ideal temperature for a roughly 15-minute soak is between 100°F and 104°F (37.7°C and 40°C). The lower end is better for stress relief, as it promotes a soothing environment. Meanwhile, the mid-to higher end can be better for things like joint pain relief.
- Dialing in the pH: An imbalanced pH can lead to skin irritation and compromised sanitation, which can counter your overall wellness regimen. Aim for a pH between 7.2 and 7.8.
In addition to the guidelines above, ensure that you have an insulated, custom-fit cover for your tub. Quality covers protect the longevity of your hot tub—even through extreme weather—meaning you can extract ongoing benefits. Check out The Cover Guy for more information on choosing the right product for your local weather and unique tub.
Hot Tubs Are a Classic Stress Reduction Strategy
You don’t need a scientific explanation for something this intuitive: the feeling of sinking into a hot tub and feeling your worries melt away. However, science can back up the feeling with facts.
Soaking in a hot tub lowers cortisol levels, the primary hormone responsible for that sharp feeling of stress, panic, or anxiety. Because of this phenomenon, experts often recommend hydrotherapy for people experiencing temporary or chronic stress symptoms.
It should be added that the holistic experience of your at-home spa also adds to its stress-relief capabilities. A serene outdoor environment with fresh air and scenic views can also promote mental relaxation.
They Can Even Elevate Your Mood
Stress relief and mood elevation seem like two sides of the same coin. In some ways, that’s true. However, science shows that there’s a separate hormone activated by soaking in a hot tub that better explains the happy, content feeling of a spa session.
At the same time as it lowers cortisol, a hot water bath also fosters endorphin release. Endorphins are the “feel good” hormones released by our hypothalamus and pituitary glands. According to Harvard Health, they are “the body’s natural painkillers.”
They Promote Muscle Relaxation, Pain Relief, and Flexibility
It’s no secret why athletes like the tub. Hot tubs alleviate the muscle tensions common to post-exercise soreness, and they relax muscle strands, making it easier to stretch and perform flexibility-dependent maneuvers.
However, athletes aren’t the only ones harnessing these muscle benefits. People who suffer from arthritis may notice relief since the water buoyancy relieves pressure on the joints. Meanwhile, individuals with mobility issues may notice improvements in their joint flexibility and range of motion.
Soaks Can Help Prevent Injury—and Speed Up Recovery
Here’s another reason why athletes (and their physio teams) love hot tubs: Hot water soaking can help prevent injuries and speed up recoveries.
As mentioned, soaking in the spa loosens the muscles, promotes flexibility, and increases one’s range of motion. This pliability makes athletes less prone to strains or tears during physical activity.
Similarly, the tub promotes quick recovery. As Sports Injury Clinic details, “The hot water promotes vessel dilation (where the blood vessels widen) which aids blood flow. This increased blood flow means oxygen and nutrients are more able to reach affected areas to repair any damage.”
Whether you’re an Olympic speed skater or an occasional golfer, hot tubs can prime you for your next athletic outing.
They Can Improve Circulation and Lower Blood Pressure
Let’s pick up on something the Sports Injury Clinic article mentioned—specifically, that hot water soaking promotes vessel dilation. Not only does vessel dilation deliver good stuff to your muscles, but it also improves overall circulation and heart health and lowers blood pressure.
Healthline covers a 30,000-person study into the cardiovascular benefits of hot tubs, which concludes that “daily hot baths are associated with a 28 percent lower risk of heart disease and a 26 percent lower risk of stroke.”
Naturally, if you experience low blood pressure or other heart issues, you should speak with a doctor before going for a dip. While a hot tub’s heart healthy benefits work for most, they may not work for all.
Hot Tubbing May Even Lead to Better Sleep
Good sleep—we all need it, but how many of us actually get it? According to the CDC, more than a third of Americans get less than the recommended amount of sleep. And that doesn’t account for people who get enough hours, but experience diminished sleep quality.
Hot tubs may not be a silver bullet solution, but they can help a lot. Body temperature impacts our circadian rhythms (that internal clock regulating our sleep-wake cycles). As part of the body’s natural sleep process, our core temperature drops in the evening, signaling that it’s “wind down” time. Soaking in a hot tub raises your body temperature temporarily, then drops it quickly when you exit the tub. This quick cooling effect signals to the body that it’s ready for a deep and satisfying sleep.
Follow the guidelines in the first section to maximize these health advantages, and find a custom hot tub cover that protects your investment throughout the year so you can enjoy long-lasting results.
