When it comes to relaxing on those sunny afternoons or after a long day in the office, it’s hard to beat putting your feet up and sitting down in your very own hot tub for a much-needed soak.

Indeed, the therapeutic and health benefits of hot tubs have been long touted, but is there any truth to this belief? Are hot tubs good for you and are there any hot tub benefits that you might not know about?

If you’re intrigued by the health benefits of hot tubs, keep reading to learn more on this topic, including ways in which using a hot tub can improve your physical and mental well-being.

Are hot tubs good for you: The science

As you may have already guessed, there are absolutely plenty of health benefits to unwinding in a hot tub, especially when it comes to your physical health and muscle recovery.

Studies have long shown a positive link between warm temperature therapy and improved health (it’s just one of the reasons saunas have been used for centuries), and when combined with the additional hydrotherapy benefits hot tubs can bring to the table, the benefits to your health that this type of at-home spa system can offer are substantial.

What are the health benefits of hot tubs?

So, if hot tubs can indeed offer you great health benefits, what exactly are these and how impactful can they be? Take a look at the core hot tub health benefits below to learn more about them:

1. Improved circulation

One of the best hot tub health benefits is that they may help improve your circulation. This happens when the blood vessels in your body dilate, increasing blood flow and bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. This reduces soreness after exercise, speeding up recovery time. In addition, improved circulation helps to flush out toxins in the body for overall better health.

Better, studies show a relationship between hot tubs and high blood pressure. Because of their ability to dilate blood vessels, they may help lower blood pressure too. However, if you have blood pressure issues, you should always contact your healthcare professional to see whether a hot tub will benefit you.

2. Muscle relaxation

Another one of the best hot tub benefits is that they can help relax tired and tense muscles. By submerging yourself in warm water, you can experience relief from muscle pain and stiffness that can be caused by stress or even overuse during exercise.

A warm soak before bedtime is especially beneficial as it helps to release tension throughout the body and banish all those aches and pains that might otherwise keep you awake.

3. Better sleep quality

In many cases, hot tubs have been found to improve the quality of sleep by promoting relaxation before bedtime. Studies have shown that soaking in a hot tub for 15 minutes raises your core body temperature before gradually cooling back down over the next hour or two.

This slight decrease in temperature signals to your brain that it’s time for bed and allows you to drift off into a deeper sleep faster than usual. So, if you want a better quality of sleep, or if you struggle with getting to sleep, you should definitely reap the benefits of a hot tub.

4. Extra weight loss

While hot tub use certainly shouldn’t replace a healthy eating and exercise routine, it may help if you’re on a weight loss journey. Some studies have shown that hot tubs can help with weight loss too, with a daily soak helping you shift a few extra calories here and there.

It’s thought that you can burn 100 or so calories by simply soaking in your tub for half an hour a day. But exactly how does this work? Well, the heat has been shown to enhance blood sugar metabolism. Equally, when you exit the water, you’ll naturally burn calories as your body cools down.

5. Improved heart health

Hot tubs have also been shown to benefit heart health, potentially contributing towards a reduction of the risk of cardiovascular disease. Of course, using your tub doesn’t replace the need for things such as getting enough exercise and implementing a heart-healthy diet, but it can certainly be a beneficial addition to your routine.

However, if you have any pre-existing health conditions, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional before hopping in a tub. For instance, for those with heart disease, it may be recommended that you avoid hot temperatures.

6. Reduced levels of anxiety and stress

Finally, hot tubs have also been shown to help with managing everyday anxiety and stress. The soothing effect of the warm water may help ease tension and promote calmness, prompting your body to release natural feel-good chemicals.

Hot tubs can help calm your nervous system and improve your mood, ultimately enabling you to feel your best. So, sparing half an hour to hop into your tub at the end of a long day will give you a designated chunk of time to relax and unwind, something which is ideal if you live a busy lifestyle.

To feel the full benefits of your tub, it’s important you set it to the correct temperature. So, make sure to dive into our guide on the ideal temperature for a hot tub to find out more.

Start your hot tub health journey today

So, are hot tubs good for you? Well, hot tubs certainly offer more than just an enjoyable way to relax; they can also benefit your physical and mental well-being through things such as improved circulation, muscle relaxation, and better sleep quality.

And if you’re looking for an easy way to improve your overall health and wellness, consider investing in yourself by starting your hot tub journey with Platinum Spas today. We’ve got premium hot tubs as well as swim spas available in our range. So, all you’ll need to do is get in touch with our team of experts to find out more.

We’ve also got plenty more advice over on our hot tub owners’ hub for once everything is installed.

Sarah Watkins
Latest posts by Sarah Watkins (see all)

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