There are many different uses for a hot tub. There’s no doubt they provide a great place to relax, socialize and catch up with family and friends. But is sitting in a hot tub healthy? The fact is that hot tubs have been used by athletes, convalescents and those suffering from pain as a way to heal and rehabilitate their bodies for centuries. This article provides a list of ways that hot tubs can be used to promote better health and wellbeing.
Relieve Aches and Pains
If you’re suffering from pain due to disease, injury or overextending yourself during a workout, a hot tub is a great way to relax your muscles, promote tissue healing and relieve yourself from pain. Whether your pain is chronic or temporary, the massaging actions of the jets will promote blood flow and bring oxygen to the areas that are causing your discomfort. Most of today’s hot tubs have water jets specifically placed to work directly on the most common problem areas of the body. A hot tub can be a great addition to a medically advised pain relief program.
Relieve Stress
Stress has become a problem for more people as our modern world continues to change. Stress can lead to a wide variety of ailments including depression, insomnia, and heart disease. The warm and effervescent waters of a hot tub are a great way to relax the body and the mind. Many of today’s hot tubs also include aromatherapy treatments that can reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. If you’re leading a demanding lifestyle, a hot tub can help you recuperate from the pressures of the day.
Increase Mobility
For those who suffer from mobility issues, spending time in a hot tub and practicing stretching exercises can loosen up tight muscles and joints. The buoyancy that water provides can relieve pressure on the bones, tendons, and muscles, reduce inflammation around the joints and allow for easier movement without the burden of full gravity. Water can also create resistance which can be used to help strengthen atrophied muscles and tendons. If you suffer from mobility issues or a decreased range of motion you should talk to your doctor about incorporating a hot tub into your therapy sessions.
Improve Blood Circulation
The heat and massage provided by a hot tub will improve your circulation by dilating your blood vessels and allowing more blood to reach more areas of your body. The dilation of blood vessels also reduces your blood pressure – a condition that adversely affects millions of people around the country. Your cells become bathed in oxygen-rich molecules which speeds up metabolism and promotes cellular repair and regeneration.
Experience Better Sleep
Spending time in a hot tub before bedtime has been shown to lead to falling asleep faster. It also promotes a deeper, more uninterrupted night of sleep. It’s thought that as the body temperature falls after you exit the hot tub, the brain becomes primed for sleep. Combined with the hot tub’s ability to relax the body this leads to improved conditions for a good night’s sleep. If you experience bouts of insomnia or have trouble getting deep, restful sleep, spending time in a hot tub may be the answer to your problems.
Promote Digestion
We’ve all experienced the uncomfortable feeling of having eaten too much. It’s been found that spending time in a hot tub after a large meal can promote digestion while reducing the feeling of bloating and the pressure caused by gas. If you think about it, what could be better than sliding into a hot tub after an amazing meal?
To learn more about how sitting in a hot tub can be healthy, download a free buyer’s guide below today, or visit us at our hot tub store.