With our always-on world, there’s always some electronic gizmo crying for your attention, distracting you and keeping your mind ever buzzing. It can be exhausting. Perhaps it’s no coincidence then that water and electronics are such bitter enemies. If you take the time to set aside those pesky, droning devices and slip into a hot tub, a batch of hot tub health benefits becomes clear.
First and foremost for the frazzled, the increase in temperature brings with it endorphins, the natural happy chemical in your brain. This combats that focus-tearing anxiety, letting you enjoy the moment instead of worrying about your constantly buzzing phone. This relaxation also helps relieve insomnia, encouraging the body and mind to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
The endorphins, combined with the dilation of your blood vessels, resulting in increased circulation, make hot tubs as healthy for the body as it is for the mind.
That increased circulation means that oxygens and nutrients are more efficiently delivered to your muscles and lactic acid, the cause of post-workout muscle soreness and bane to athletes everywhere, is more quickly taken away.
Similarly, the increased circulation can be a boon to arthritis sufferers. The increased circulation results in less swelling and pain, which increases mobility. The warmth and pressure of the water also reduce swelling, while your body’s natural buoyancy in water relieves the pressure on your joints, bones and muscles.
That same rush of blood and endorphins brings similar boons to anyone who suffers from back pain. With all the muscles relaxed, and oxygen flowing more efficiently to those sore muscles, back pain melts away with the stresses of the day.
While you’re relaxing into the heat and enjoying the cessation of all those aches and pains, your heart is getting a workout, with your cardiac volume increasing by nearly one-third.
Adding to all of that, a study found that soaking for half an hour a day reduced sugar levels in diabetics.
Speaking of condiments, adding a bit of sea salt to the water makes the soak good externally as it is internally, The added salt helps regenerate damaged skin cells and stimulates skin functions.
Sea salt is just the beginning when it comes to adding benefits to you bathing. Lines of aromatherapy scents that are safe for all filters and equipment compound the health benefits of your hot tub by adding an array of scents, each with their own benefits. Try lemon as an invigorating scent or the scent of Clary Sage to even out your mood and add another wonderful dimension to your soak.