It doesn’t take a medical degree to understand that a hot tub can be good for your health. Spending time in a hot tub can be incredibly relaxing. This can help alleviate stress. Since stress can be bad for your health in many ways, hot tubs are, therefore, beneficial for your health.
While this logic may sound solid (and there may be plenty of anecdotal evidence to back it up), does the claim that hot tubs can benefit your health hold up when placed under medical scrutiny? What are the benefits of being in a hot tub? And are hot tubs good for your heart?
Here are some of the health benefits of using a hot tub.
Stress relief
Let’s start with the obvious: Hot tubs help relieve stress. Lowering your stress level can have many positive health benefits, like lowering blood pressure, relieving tension in your body and improving your emotional state. Combined with soft music or aromatherapy, a hot tub’s stress-relieving effects can be even more potent.
Improved heart health
Are hot tubs good for your heart? According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Physiology, yes. The immersion in hot water can have “robust” effects on heart health, including lowering blood pressure. This may be due in part to the heat of the water, especially for individuals whose body may not be able to handle a lot of exercise. As mentioned, being in a hot tub can be mentally quite soothing, which helps lower blood pressure in addition to a hot tub’s other effects.
Muscle relaxation
Hot tubs are a great treatment for sore or aching muscles. At the end of a long day, when your muscles are sore and your bones are weary, there’s nothing like slipping into a nice, steaming hot tub (except, maybe, sharing that experience with a partner!). The heat of the water helps ease tension that has built up in muscles, and the jets and massaging action in a tub can help break up knots or tight spots in the body.
Better sleep
Can a hot tub be a sleep aid? As long as you don’t fall asleep in the tub (that might be dangerous), then yes. Warm baths can aid in relaxing the body, which can be helpful in getting us ready to drift off to dreamland. Soaking in a hot tub at the end of the day can also be helpful in getting us to unwind and release the mental stresses of the day that might otherwise keep us up at night.
The best way to take a hot tub
A hot tub experience is best when you follow a few simple guidelines. First, make sure the water isn’t too hot—104°F should be your absolute maximum. Second, make sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, as the heat of the tub will make you sweat and may leave you feeling dehydrated. Finally, be sure to rinse off afterward, as the chemicals in a hot tub may not be great for your skin.
Hot tubs can be a great investment in your health, as well as the value of your home. If you need hot tub installation or service, contact Arizona Pool & Pond Company today.