If you have ever been in a hot tub then you will know that almost as soon as you sit down you feel great. As the warm water washes over you, it feels like the stresses and strains of the day are slowly and surely slipping away. You get a sense of well-being and total relaxation. Our motto at Hot Tubs in France is "Relax. Replenish. Revive". And when we tell you a bit more about the health benefits of using a hot tub you'll understand why. And you'll wonder why you never tried one sooner.
Stress Relief
Stretching out in hot tub is one of the quickest and easiest ways to de-stress. Just kick-back and relax, and let the warm water soothe and massage away anxiety, stress and tense muscles. Studies show that immersing your body in warm water can help balance the nervous system and encourage the release of dopamine - the 'feel-good' hormone. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centre and it helps combat stress. So while you are quietly relaxing in a hot tub, your body is happily releasing dopamine and endorphins that help to lift your spirits and generally make you feel good. Endorphins are also a natural painkiller, so if you are prone to headaches or migraines then 30 minutes in the hot tub will help take the pain away.
Glowing skin
One of the first parts of our body that touches the warm, healing hot tub water is our skin. Whether we wash, shower or have a bath I think we all know that cleaning our skin with hot water is beneficial. The pores open up when the skin becomes warm and this allows impurities to be released. Same thing when we sweat, or 'perspire' if you are a lady.
Bathing in hot water helps our bodies get rid of toxins and impurities that have built up during the day. So not only do we feel refreshed, but our skin also looks better. And if we are glowing on the outside that means we feel good on the inside. Am I right, or am I right?
Just one thing to note though. If you have subscribed to our website then you'll remember the post I did the other week about the best temperatures for bathing.
Don't have the water too hot because it's not good for you. And bear in mind that if you are perspiring a lot then you could get dehydrated. That's also not good. So make sure you have a bottle of cold water close by.
Lower blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure (hypertension) the feeling of total relaxation you get from being in a hot tub can have an immediate effect on lowering your blood pressure and reducing stress. It's a lot like the health benefits you get from going for a brisk walk, but without doing the walking. You feel more relaxed in a hot tub because the warmth improves blood circulation. As the blood vessels expand your heart pumps more blood. So just by sitting in a hot tub you are giving your heart a healthy work-out!
One of the main causes of hypertension is stress. And as we said earlier, hot tubs are great for relieving stress because your body is releasing 'feel good' dopamine and endorphins. So you are warm, happy and relaxed and you are effectively lowering your blood pressure.
A word of warning though. If your hypertension is quite severe then please don't risk using a hot tub until you have a chat with your doctor. Especially if you have previously been told to only do low to moderate exercise.
Reduce blood sugar levels
In 1999, an independent study of Type 2 diabetes patients, who were asked to soak in a hot tub for thirty minutes a day, six days a week for three weeks, showed that the patients' blood sugar levels reduced by an average of 13%. More recent studies in Japan have also shown that heat therapy can also help reduce the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. Research also shows that using a hot tub or spa could 'improve insulin sensitivity and increase the body's consumption of energy', - so it's a bit like exercising, but without the exercise.
Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain
Relaxing in a hot tub, especially our Burford Deluxe with an air bubble system, is like having your own personal masseuse! The buoyancy of hot tub water reduces body weight by approximately 90%, which relieves the pressure on joints and muscles. This can make it easier to exercise because the heat warms up joints and decreases swelling. Then as the body starts gets used to the rise in temperature, those endorphins kick in, relaxing your muscles and helping to temporarily take away any joint pain.
Regular use of a hot tub will help to keep joints moving, and keep your limbs and muscles more flexible. This is why you will find that a lot of athletes use hot tubs before and after a workout. They are great for unwinding both physically and mentally, and can play a vital role in helping relax and repair sore muscles.
Family fun time
Ask any hot-tub owning family what they think is the greatest benefit of having a hot tub and I bet they will say it's because they are so much fun. Hot tubs provide an ideal place to relax with your friends and family. You might find that you become incredibly popular with your neighbours too, because they'll be queuing up to share a drink and a dip in your healthy, heavenly, hot tub!
Our motto at Hot Tubs in France is "Relax. Replenish. Revive". I think we have got it just right don't you?
Want to know more about owning a hot tub?
Email hottubsinfrance@gmail.com or phone 0033 (0)749 194684
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