Hot tubs are well known for their recreational qualities. Spending time with friends and family while enjoying barbecue between dips in the tub is pretty much an established institution – the basis of the fabled hot tub party. But do hot tubs have health benefits as well? They certainly do – both physically and mentally. In this article we’ll cover how custom concrete hot tubs can improve health and wellbeing.
Alleviate Pain
Spending time in a hot tub is a well-known treatment to help temporarily reduce pain. It’s long been prescribed by doctors, physiotherapists, sports trainers and laypeople to provide pain relief. Whether it’s sore and aching muscles caused by overexertion, discomfort created by chronic disease or a reaction to injury, spending time in the heated, massaging water can soothe and pacify. The physical manipulation by the water jets reduces tension, relaxes muscles and improves blood flow. Similarly, the heat of the water raises the internal body temperature which results in an increased heart rate and the improved movement of oxygen, nutrients and pain relieving hormones throughout the body. Water also provides buoyancy which helps alleviate pressure on the joints and bones. If pain relief is your goal, a hot tub can help.
Promote Relaxation
Hot tubs provide a means of relaxation through both physiological and psychological processes. Heat and massage increases the heart rate and blood flow which results in dilated blood vessels and reduced blood pressure. Muscles spasms and contractions are reduced which allows them to loosen up and relax. It’s also been shown that immersion in warm water leads to a balancing of the autonomic nervous system which promotes both physical and mental relaxation. For those who suffer from stress and anxiety, a hot tub can provide a place of solitude to allow for meditation and relaxation of the mind. At the opposite end of the social scale, socializing with friends and family is a great way to improve mental wellbeing and promote relaxation.
Improved Mobility
For people who have mobility issues, a hot tub can provide a safe environment to perform exercises that can help improve their condition. Water provides stability that greatly reduces the chances of injury should one fall. This can raise confidence and encourage movements beyond what would normally be considered prudent. Buoyancy diminishes pressure on bones and joints and can help improve flexibility by aiding the ease of motion. Buoyancy can also help those who are unable to perform high impact exercises such as jogging. Doing exercises in water greatly reduces the shock felt by the body. Heat will also loosen the muscles to create a limberness which may not be experienced otherwise.
Improved Sleep
It’s been found that sleep patterns are affected by the natural rise and fall of the body temperature throughout the day. The internal body temperature rises during the day and falls as night approaches. This fall in body temperature sends signals to the brain that cause drowsiness. It’s possible to replicate these body temperature changes on a smaller scale by spending time in the hot tub an hour or two before you’d like to fall asleep. Getting out of the hot tub causes the body temperature to drop which can bring about the feeling of tiredness.
Weight Loss
Recent studies have shown that spending time immersed in hot water can lead to the burning of calories and the reduction of blood sugar levels. It’s thought that a raised body temperature and increased heart rate triggers the metabolism which stimulates insulin production, decomposition of blood sugar and the burning of calories.