What do hot tubs and saunas have in common? Aside from being heat sources that make you sweat, both of these amazing products offer numerous life-changing health and wellness benefits.
Top Benefits of Saunas and Hot Tubs
Uncover the myriad of health benefits that hot tubs and saunas offer. Not only are they a luxurious addition to your home, but they also provide substantial physical and mental health advantages. Dive into the details below:
1. Stress Relief
Stress, when left unchecked, can lead to a wide variety of physical and mental health problems. That’s where your hot tub or sauna comes in. Spend just a few minutes a day in a hot tub or sauna, and feel the stress melt away.
The healing heat they offer stimulates chemicals in the brain known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals offer a natural high that improves your mood while reducing anxiety. Furthermore, this relaxation helps decrease the likelihood of headaches and fatigue while also reducing the symptoms of depression.
2. Cardiovascular Health
If you want to decrease your risk of heart attack, a sauna may be just the thing to do it, as the heat from hot tubs and saunas can improve your cardiorespiratory fitness.
In fact, a study conducted by a leading Finnish cardiologist found that using a sauna two to three times weekly at 174°F lessens the risk of heart attack by 27%, while those who used it four to seven times a week reduced their risk by a whopping 50%.
This means enjoying as relaxing sauna session could contribute to a healthier heart and improved circulation, supporting overall cardiovascular health.
3. Brain Health
Relaxing in these warm environments not only eases the body but also the mind. Regular sauna use has also been linked to a reduced risk for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. A 20-year Finnish study that tracked men ages 42 to 60, found that those who used the sauna at least four times weekly had a 66% lower risk of dementia and a 65% lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
4. Lung Health
Saunas have also been linked to the improvement of lung function. A study found that breathing in patients with lung diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis was improved after using the sauna on a regular basis.
5. Chronic Pain Relief
The heat provided by your hot tub or sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in improved circulation. This increase in blood flow is pushed to vulnerable areas, reducing swelling and inflammation caused by chronic conditions such as arthritis.
In your spa, the water reduces the force of gravity that compresses your joints while its buoyancy supports your sore limbs.
6. Healing of Injuries
Not just for the treatment of pain, heat can play an important part in the healing process. The increased blood flow to injured areas can help soothe discomfort and increase mobility while relaxing tense muscles, restoring damaged tissue, and helping bruises to heal more quickly.
7. Muscle Tension Relief
If you suffer from sore or tense muscles, daily heat therapy can help a lot. As your spa or sauna warms your body, your muscles relax, relieving tension and minor aches.
The jet massage provided by your hot tub also works to soothe soreness and target muscle knots while improving your range of motion for less painful movement.
8. Muscle Growth and Recovery
The heat provided by your spa or sauna can be a great complement to a hard workout. It helps tense muscles relax and aids in the elimination of lactic acid buildup.
Regular heat therapy can also increase growth hormones, resulting in quicker recovery and better muscle tone.
9. Treats Headaches
Your hot tub is the perfect way to relieve a tension headache. Simply position the jets so they are pointed at sore parts of your shoulders and neck. As the heat and massage loosen your muscles, your headache will ease.
Your sauna is great for dealing with migraines or cluster headaches. If you feel a bad headache coming on, hopping into the sauna can help keep it at bay because it can trigger relaxation of the autonomic nervous system.
By promoting relaxation and easing muscle tension, hot tubs and saunas can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
10. Supports Immune System
The heat from your spa or sauna signals the brain to produce more white blood cells, a key ingredient in battling germs and disease.
Regular heat therapy can reduce your chances of getting a cold or the flu and can even help those with allergies and sinus issues.
11. Flushes Toxins from the Body
Sweating is great for your health. In fact, the heavy sweating produced by your spa or sauna can help decrease the levels of contaminants and chemicals in the body.
Known as detoxification, this process can boost your energy levels and improve digestion and mental health.
12. Healthier Skin with a Hot Tub
A side benefit of the detoxification provided by your spa or sauna is that it leads to improved skin tone. Regular sauna sessions help improve skin health by promoting sweating. Sweating opens pores and helps rinse out bacteria, which, along with the removal of dead skin cells, leaves the skin clearer and more rejuvenated. This can lead to skin that is less prone to acne and blackheads.
13. Better Sleep Quality
Sauna and spa use are both ideal ways to de-stress and relax before bedtime. The heat sends messages to your brain telling it to produce melatonin, a sleep hormone that helps induce a night of deep, relaxing sleep.
Furthermore, both saunas and hot tubs contribute to better sleep quality by facilitating the release of endorphins. These chemicals help relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall into a deep sleep.
After exiting your spa or sauna, your core body temperature gradually decreases, naturally preparing itself for sleep.
14. Quality Time with Family
There’s no better place to spend quality time with your loved ones than your spa. An outdoor hot tub allows your family to enjoy time together out in the fresh air. It’s a great way to catch up and relax together.
While you won’t want to bring your entire family into the sauna, it’s the perfect activity for couples. At the end of the day, both saunas and hot tubs provide a perfect opportunity for quality family time, allowing for relaxed conversations and bonding.
15. Weight Management
While sweating in your sauna or spa will elevate your heart rate, you won’t burn a ton of calories.
But, if you add in some toning exercises or yoga moves, it can have a positive impact on your metabolism, helping to burn more calories, which can contribute to weight loss.
Find Your Dream Hot Tub at Jacuzzi Hot Tubs of Southeastern PA
If you’re ready to invest in your health, Jacuzzi Hot Tubs of Southeastern PA can help. Whether you want an outdoor hot tub or a sauna, we’re your top local dealership in the area. Visit one of our showrooms to check out a TheraSauna or our line of Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs.
If you have ordered your hot tub and are experiencing a longer wait than normal, or are considering buying a hot tub but unsure of longer wait times, here are reasons why your hot tub is absolutely worth the wait!
Sauna & Hot Tub FAQs
What is the mechanism behind the relaxation provided by hot tubs and saunas?
The relaxation effect is primarily due to the endorphins released in response to the heat. These hormones naturally decrease stress and induce a state of relaxation, particularly beneficial before going to sleep.
How do hot tubs and saunas help in physical recovery and fitness?
The heat provided by hot tubs and saunas promotes quicker recovery of muscles and enhances cardiorespiratory fitness, making it easier for the body to recover from physical exertion. It also helps promote relaxation, allowing tense, overworked muscles to release.
What specific health benefits do hot tubs and saunas provide?
They offer significant health benefits including stress relief, reduced risk of experiencing headaches and fatigue, and minimized symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, they help in decreasing muscle tension.
What precautions should be taken when using a hot tub?
When using a hot tub, follow essential precautions to ensure safety and health benefits. Limit sessions to 15-20 minutes, stay hydrated, and consult a healthcare provider if pregnant or having health conditions; ensure the water temperature is no higher than 104°F and maintain cleanliness to prevent infections.
