Owning a hot tub already has an element of the feel-good factor about it anyway and it’s hard to keep the smile off your face as you drop into the welcoming waters, but in addition to this obvious blessing, it can also aid your health.
Many hot tub owners take a daily dose of hot tub therapy in order to help them with some minor ailments like aches and pains or to provide some relief from more chronic medical conditions. Hot tub owners know best and here are five reasons why.
Stress relief
There is no question that from the moment you drop down into bubbling water, you can feel a positive lifting of any stress or tension that you are feeling. The massaging jets combined with the soothing qualities of the water temperature help to relieve tension and provide for better sleep.
Spending some time in your hot tub before retiring to bed could improve your sleep, meaning there is a greater chance that you will wake up in the morning feeling sharper and more alert, which could also help your overall performance in all your tasks throughout the day.
The buoyancy of the water produces a weightlessness effect which can be very calming and relaxing and the rise and drop in body temperature as you get in and out of the hot tub also has the effect of helping some people to sleep better.
It is understood that immersion in a hot water which has a temperature above 37.5 degrees, allows the body to release endorphins. So when you spend time in your hot tub, the water temperature combined with the massaging effect of the strong jets combine to provide a really positive and relaxed feeling by the end of your session.
Relaxing your muscles
The water jets in a hot tub work to relax your muscles and alleviate pressure on your nerves at the same time. The buoyancy effect of the water can also reduce your body weight by up to as much as 90%, which helps to take any pressure off aching joints.
Hydrotherapy in your hot tub can provide an element of relief for those people that are suffering from arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has noted that soaking in a hot tub on a daily basis along with other therapies, can provide potential benefits and help to decrease the level of pain being felt.
Helping your blood pressure
Hot tubs can be helpful when trying to deal with high blood pressure or the effects of poor circulation. The heat generated from the hot tub can cause the blood vessels to open up, and this process which is known as vasodilation, can help to decrease blood pressure, but you should seek medical advice before using your tub, if you have any concerns.
The temperature of the hot tub and the massaging properties also help to improve circulation and can also stimulate nerve impulses which boost the immune system and digestion too.
Help with Type 2 Diabetes
Regular hot tub therapy involving six weekly 30 minute sessions has been known to help people who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The therapy is considered to be particularly helpful for those who have been advised not to do any physical exercise, but you should seek medical advice before embarking on programme, so that you can be aware of any potential risks that are associated with diabetes, such a possible drop in blood sugar as you leave the hot tub into a colder environment.
Reducing fatigue
Hot tub therapy has been known to help people who suffer from medical conditions which lead to chronic pain and fatigue. Anyone who is suffering from a chronic pain condition can find that pain relief is possible by soaking in a hot tub on a regular basis.
Combatting illness
There have been some studies carried out that suggest when your mind is more relaxed and in a positive frame of mind, you reduce the chances of becoming ill. Regular use of your hot tub will in theory help to strengthen your body’s natural defences and help to combat the threat of illness.
As you can see, not only is a hot tub a welcome retreat at the end of a busy day, it also has healthy benefits too.