If you’re falling short of the recommended eight hours of sleep each night, your hot tub might be just the thing you need to improve your sleep patterns.
In fact, experts say that hydrotherapy — the use of water to maintain health — not only improves sleep patterns, but also is an effective way to treat disorders such as insomnia or restless leg syndrome.[i]
The Science Behind Hot Tub Therapy
Whether you have chronic insomnia, which is often caused by having too much blood in the brain, or sleeplessness brought on by stress, nightly hot tub use can help you to fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer.
Heated water dilates the capillaries, the tiny branches of blood vessels that work to transport blood to your arteries. When this dilation occurs, blood flow is pulled away from the core of the body to your extremities. This helps dilute blood from the brain as well, which is especially beneficial for insomniacs.[ii]
How Hot Tub Therapy Works
Soaking in your spa for 20 to 30 minutes with the temperature set at 104° F is ideal for promoting sleep. The heated water and jet massage together help to relax your muscles and decrease stress while improving your circulation. As your body relaxes and the blood flows away from the core of your body to your limbs, your temperature elevates.
After exiting the spa, your temperature will slowly drop, gradually bringing on feelings of drowsiness. Experts recommend avoiding stimulation, such as watching television, during this time. Instead, opt for listening to calming music or reading while your body temperature returns to normal. Within an hour or so, you should be ready to hit the sheets.
The Added Benefits
Sleeplessness is not always caused by insomnia or another sleep disorder. All too often, pain can keep us awake or prevent us from settling into a deep sleep.
Treating pain with heated water and jet massage is extremely effective. The heat increases blood circulation to injured muscles and joints while easing spasms and decreasing swelling and inflammation. It has been found that pain relief often goes beyond the actual period of water immersion, making it an ideal way to manage back issues, arthritis or other types of chronic pain.
Enhance the Experience with Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is an age-old treatment for tension, stress and pain. There are a handful of scents that help treat physical pain and discomfort. For arthritis relief, peppermint is one of the best. Not only does it speed circulation, it transports blood to injured muscles and joints. Lemon, lemongrass and chamomile are also great options with their anti-inflammatory properties.
Best Outdoor Hot Tubs at Sunspa in Calgary
If you’re on the hunt for an outdoor hot tub, SunSpa can help. Our Calgary showroom is well-stocked with spas offering high-quality hot tub features. Drop-in at our Calgary showroom to talk to one of our experts or to pick up hot tub supplies and accessories. You can also reach us here with any questions you might have.
[i] RLS Treatment Options. Available: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/rls-treatment-options. Accessed: [2019-11-19].
[ii] Hydrotherapy Healing with Water. Available: https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/water-therapy-swimming-your-way-to-bone-and-joint-rehabilitation. Accessed: [2019-11-19].
