The Health Benefits of Hot Tubs

A recent survey noted that 7.3 million U.S. hot tubs are currently in operation. While some people installed them to boost the value of their homes, many made the purchase because of the positive benefits hot tubs could deliver for their health. Here are seven of the most important things hot tubs can do to make your life a healthier one.

Improve Your Sleep

Did you know that insomnia on a regular basis affects nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population? Hot tub fans love to comment on how quickly they fall asleep after a nighttime soak. Increasing body temperature helps you fall asleep faster and experience fewer sleep disruptions throughout the night without needing to resort to commercial sleep products. One recent study recommended soaking for 15 minutes in 103 water 90 minutes prior to your bedtime.

Lower Stress and Anxiety

There’s a good reason why you feel relaxed after spending time in a hot tub. Combine heated water, massage from the tub’s jets, and a sensation of weightlessness in a recipe that yields reduced physical and mental stress along with lowered anxiety. The sound and the movement of the swirling water promote relaxation. Sharing time in a tub with a friend can also be a great social interaction that generates plenty of positive emotions.

Reduce Pain and Accelerate Healing

A good soak is particularly beneficial for people recovering from knee, back, or other joint issues. It provides pain relief for those with skeletal problems such as arthritis, tendonitis, and carpal syndrome. Heat boosts your blood circulation, relaxes muscle tightness, and reduces joint inflammation. Many people note greater strength, flexibility, and range of motion. In some cases, hot tubs make it possible for their users to return to a normal daily routine previously upended because of pain or another discomfort. Used at the right time, heat from the water in a hot tub can also help reduce muscle spasms
associated with sports injuries.

Lower Blood Sugar

Initial research has shown that hot tub time might lower blood sugar levels in patients who are Type 2 diabetics. Subjects who spent half an hour in a hot tub for six days a week over three weeks experienced a drop in blood glucose levels from 182 mg/dl to 159 mg/dl on average and noticed a heightened sense of well-being. The water temperature in a hot tub actually mimics the effects of exercise, which has proven beneficial for those suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

Lower Blood Pressure

A hot tub’s water temperature also causes your heart to work more to disperse excess heat. The body reacts by boosting blood flow and producing extra oxygen, which revitalizes cells. As your body becomes warmer, your cells dilate, lowering resistance against your heart. This, in turn, causes your blood pressure to start dropping. Increasing your heart rate while lowering your blood pressure benefits your cardiovascular health.

Promote Healthier Skin

The reduction of stress and anxiety linked to hot tub use has a secondary benefit. Both problems are known causes of premature skin aging. Reducing stress and anxiety helps combat this process. Increased circulation from using a hot tub delivers oxygen and important nutrients to your skin, leaving it with a healthy and youthful glow.

Decrease Tension Headache and Migraine Frequency

Some evidence suggests that a trip to the hot tub might help prevent the occurrence of some types of chronic headaches. Because muscles remain loose while you are immersed, your body is more relaxed and less tense overall. This reduces the chance of another throbbing headache triggered by tension. Vascular dilation paired with the warm effects of hot tub water can also relieve the pain linked to such headaches. Relaxing in a steamy tub is a great way to deal with the congestion associated with some types of headaches and to promote respiratory health by opening breathing passages in your sinuses and lungs.

Hot tub therapy is no longer merely a luxury but a recognized source of relaxation and therapy in U.S. homes. Updated building technology makes these devices extremely energy-efficient and friendly to the environment. Today’s hot tubs are most definitely investments with notable health benefits. For many, they have proven a home-based healing sanctuary.

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