A Hot Tub Can Be Good for You Too
Find out what ancient cultures knew millennia ago – soaking in hot water can be good for the body, mind and spirit. Besides providing a relaxing experience, a long, relaxing soak in a Hot Spring® spa could be just what the doctor ordered. Whether it’s to unwind from the difficulties of everyday life or to relieve sore muscles and joints caused by sports or minor strains, a Hot Spring spa can assist spa users to feel better — naturally.
The Hydromassage Experience
There are three aspects at work in a spa: heat, buoyancy and massage. Together, they produce a relaxing, soothing hydromassage experience.
Soaking in hot water elevates the body temperature and causes the blood vessels to dilate, improving circulation. The buoyancy of the water lowers body weight by approximately 90%, which eases pressure on joints and muscles and produces the calming sensation of weightlessness.
The massaging action of a spa is produced by sending a combination of warm water and air through jet nozzles. This “energized” stream of water relaxes tight muscles and encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.
Arthritis Benefits
An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis. Although there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, most are distinguished by inflammation of the joints which causes swelling, pain and stiffness, often resulting in loss of joint movement or function.
Many people affected by arthritis find relief by soaking in the warm, soothing water of a hot tub. A hot tub can supply the warmth, massage and buoyancy needed to both relax and exercise joints and muscles in the convenience and coziness of a backyard.
Sleep Benefits
Sleep researchers believe that many cases of insomnia can be linked to busy, demanding lifestyles. The outcomes of sleep deprivation are wide-ranging and may cause battered nerves, grogginess, lapses in memory, depression, and erratic mood swings. Immersing in a hot tub prior to going to bed can help allow for important stress release and relaxation, leading to a deep and more calming sleep.
According to a study in the scientific journal Sleep, a drop in body temperature can help to ease the body into a relaxing and sound sleep. Therefore it is advised to take a 15-minute soak in hot water (103F degrees) about an hour and a half before bedtime. This causes the body’s internal thermostat to lower the body’s temperature, allowing sleep to set in with ease.
Spa-induced relaxation and sleep is a natural therapy, unlike other sleeping aids such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies and alcohol, which can cause a person feel groggy and have other undesirable side effects.
Diabetes Benefits
For the more than 23.6 million people who have diabetes (Type 1 or 2), help may be as near as the closest hot tub. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that relaxing in a hot tub can be beneficial for people affected by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and sheds light on the benefits of spa ownership.
With this type of diabetes, people can often control their condition with a regular exercise routine and a good diet. Unfortunately, some diabetics are physically unable to endure strenuous activity and sustain a steady weight. Immersing in a hot tub may contribute to: An increase in overall sense of health and improved sleep
