Christina Mantoura, Author at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company

Our top 5 benefits of winter hot tub use

Posted on 24 October 2019 - 13:00 by Christina Mantoura

When the seasons change it can be a challenging time. Whether you suffer from SAD or you’re just someone who doesn’t appreciate the UK’s winter weather, it’s important to find new ways to cope. Small lifestyle adjustments, such as the use of a hot tub, can make a big difference to life for many people. If you’re considering a hot tub for your home there are 5 good reasons to use it this winter.

1. Getting some relief from the cold

If you’re the kind of person who just can’t get warm during the winter then regular dips in a hot tub could help. Hot tub use can boost circulation and ensure that your blood is pumping healthily around the body, even to your extremities. If you’re not well then a hot tub can provide relief there too – a quick soak may clear your sinuses and help to encourage better breathing.

2. A winter skin workout

Dry, dull skin is something that many people suffer from during the winter months. If you have access to a hot tub then the experience can upgrade the way your skin looks and feels. The heat and steam from the hot tub will open pores and make you sweat, helping to detoxify your skin and leave it looking healthy and plump.

3. Essential recovery

It’s at this time of year that many of us are prone to strains and sprains, overdoing it in the gym or just not being warm enough to work out in the first place. A hot tub can be a great way to aid recovery from injury, especially given the weightlessness of the water which can take the pressure of gravity off. Plus, even a short half an hour soak in your hot tub can help to relieve aching muscles. And if you want to ensure that you’re fully warmed up before you start any activity, schedule in a quick soak prior to each workout too.

4. Managing stress

From end of year deadlines to coping with an influx of family for seasonal celebrations there are plenty of reasons why your stress levels might start to shoot up during the winter months. Taking half an hour out each day to relax in your hot tub can be essential when it comes to better stress management. Not only is this a space that you can reserve for your own peace and quiet but, thanks to the water, it also has to be phone and device free – giving you valuable time away from screen glare.

5. Winter celebrations

The winter season is full of opportunities for exciting celebrations. If you want to mark those moments with a memorable experience this year then use your hot tub. From Christmas parties to New Year’s Eve moments, the hot tub can provide a great space for them all.

A hot tub is a fantastic option to have in the winter months and offers a lot of benefits, both health and lifestyle related.

Our top tips for swimming in colder months

Posted on 17 October 2019 - 12:00 by Christina Mantoura

Many people are increasingly beginning to appreciate the benefits of cold water swimming during the autumn and winter months. From the boost that this can provide to the immune system to the mental and physical sense of wellbeing that can result from a chilly dip, there are many good reasons why you might want to consider venturing into the water in the colder months. If you’re going to do that then these are our top tips for making sure you get the most from the experience.

Don’t stop swimming – just reduce time and distance. It’s not feasible to swim the same distances, or to stay in the water for the same length of time, once October has ended. But you can still enjoy a swim, just for shorter times and distances.
Cold water acclimatisation is simple. All you need to do is take regular dips in cold water, starting off with a very short period of time and then building up as your body allows. A water temperature of less than 10 degrees C will feel cold and as it drops by each 1C after that the reduction in temperature will be more noticeable. Remember to factor in the outside environment and wind temperature when deciding how long to stay in.
You don’t need to get a wetsuit. In fact, most cold water swimmers don’t wear a wetsuit just conventional swimming attire. If you think you’re likely to suffer from the cold then you might want to consider investing in neoprene socks and gloves for the hands and feet.
Safety is essential. That means ensuring that you can get in and out of the water easily and that there are facilities within easy reach where you can warm up afterwards.
Cold water swimmers have each other’s backs. So, if possible, it’s a good idea to go swimming with a group.
Make sure you can be seen. It’s important to ensure that you can be seen by boats and other vehicles, as those driving them may not expect anyone to be in the water swimming during the colder months. Brightly coloured swim hats or tow floats can be a good idea to make sure you’re visible.
Learn your limits. It can be useful to take a thermometer into the water with you and to keep a log of all your swims so that you have a record of how each one felt. This will enable you to understand your body’s limits and safely build up resistance.
Warm up quickly when you get out. Get dressed as soon as you can and make sure that you have a warm drink on hand to help bring your temperature back up once you’re out of the water. Avoid a sudden increase in temperature, such as a hot shower, and opt for gradually adding layers and drinking something hot instead.

Swimming in colder months offers a lot of benefits and you don’t have to have a lot of kit to enjoy them.

Health benefits of using a spa

Posted on 7 October 2019 - 15:49 by Christina Mantoura

From adding a bit of luxury into your life to creating more space for health and fitness, a spa can make a big difference to your lifestyle. Spas can be somewhere that all the family can engage with each other and also provide an ideal space in which you can relax alone and have some precious quiet time. There is a therapy aspect to spa use too, helping to calm frayed nerves and make it easier to wind down after a hard day. And, in addition to all of that, there are also a number of great health benefits that can result from using a spa.

Helping with stress management

Consider the impact of a massage on the areas of the body that tend to carry a lot of tension, such as the neck and shoulders. And then add in the feel of warm water. That’s the experience you’ll get with a hot tub spa thanks to the combination of hydrotherapy and the soothing impact of the massage jets. The hydrotherapy jets in a spa can be used to target a number of specific areas where tension is likely to build, including neck, shoulder, mid-back, lower back, thighs and feet. Just 20 minutes is very effective at helping to relieve muscular pain and curb the consequences of stress, such as tension headaches and high blood pressure.

Healing health benefits

What many people don’t realise is that a spa does feel like a luxurious experience but it also has a lot to offer in helping to manage various conditions. For example:

Arthritis. Soaking in a spa can deliver relief from the pain and restricted movement of arthritis. The muscles relax in the warmth of the water so that moving becomes easier and less painful.
Type 2 diabetes. The heat from a spa dilates the blood vessels in the body, increasing blood flow and enabling the body to better use its insulin. One study found that regular soaking helped patients to reduce blood sugar levels by up to 13%.
Healing from injuries. From inflamed joints to strains and sprains, the impact of soaking in a spa can have a very positive effect. Increased circulation carries more oxygen around the body helping to promote healing where it is needed the most.

Sleep and skin

The stress relieving impact of a hot tub can help improve sleep, as well as the way that the body heats up in a spa and then cools once you get out. In fact spending half an hour in a spa 90 minutes before you want to sleep can promote better, higher quality sleep. A spa will also encourage your body to sweat, opening up pores and activating the natural systems of detoxification that help to give skin a cleaner, bright finish and keep it healthy.

Regular spa use has a lot to offer everyone, young or older, both in terms of lifestyle benefits and helping you to better manage and optimise your health.

Top 5 ways using a hot tub can benefit you this autumn

Posted on 3 October 2019 - 12:00 by Christina Mantoura

Autumn can be one of the most relaxed seasons of the year. It’s often a time when the kids have gone back to school, the stress of summer travel is over and your social life might be a little less hectic than during the summer when the nights are longer. If you have a hot tub at home then there are a number of ways that you can use it to help get the most from this season.

1. Stay outside

The colder months of the year tend to trigger a mass movement of people indoors as the temperature starts to drop. This may mean that you hardly get to be outside at all after September. If you have a hot tub then you can enjoy more time in the outdoors, benefitting from the warmth of the water as well as the fresh air as a result of being outside. Research suggests that spending more time in nature like this can help to reduce the overstimulation that many of us suffer from as a result of busy and tech-driven lives.

2. Get more from your hot tub

There’s just more satisfaction to climbing into the warmth of a hot tub when the temperature has started to drop. Hot tubs are great in summer but if your body is chilled it’s immensely satisfying to immerse it in hot water, especially when that water comes with powerful massage jets too. If you use your hot tub during autumn you’ll not only get more from it in terms of yearly use but also each individual experience too.

3. Be sociable

If you’re concerned that your diary is looking a little empty then use your hot tub to help fill it up again. Hot tub parties attract people all year round, whether it’s relatives and family at Christmas or friends who want to come over and have a soak when it’s snowing. Indoor venues get boring in winter and your hot tub could make your home a more attractive spot for a party.

4. Improve your health

Hydrotherapy has been used to improve human health for many years and is accessible via a hot tub. From relieving joint pain to helping to manage diabetes and finding new methods to cope with stress there are many ways in which it could contribute to improving your overall health. Regularly using your hot tub can also help you to get a better night’s sleep and may have an essential role to play in warming up for a workout and reliving tired muscles afterwards.

5. Stargazing

A hot tub outdoors provides for plenty of contemplation of the night skies, whether you have an interest in stars or not. Stargazing could become a new hobby or just an easy way to start practicing mindfulness.

Using your hot tub in autumn has a lot of benefits, both physically and mentally and emotionally too. You don’t have to put your hot tub away until next summer just because the seasons have changed.

How can swimming benefit your fitness level?

Posted on 26 September 2019 - 12:00 by Christina Mantoura

Swimming is often underestimated when it comes to fitness. It’s one of those activities where you may not be able to see the sweat rolling down your face but there is a lot happening to support improved mobility and increased fitness in a supported environment. Whether you’re training with injuries or you’re just looking to expand your abilities, swimming has a lot of benefits when it comes to improving the level of your fitness.

It’s fun

If you’re of the “no pain no gain” school of thought then you may have dismissed swimming in fitness terms. However, this is still an incredibly effective form of exercise, one that can be even more productive because you enjoy it as you’re doing it. Swimming can be sociable too – you can chat as you train and get a good workout while catching up with a friend at the same time.

The ultimate full body workout

Swimming uses all the major muscles in the body, which means that you’re getting a fantastic workout every time you get into the water. You don’t have to commit to the harder strokes, like front crawl or butterfly, to see the benefits either. Regular breaststroke sessions can be just as effective at helping you to tone up, get fit and lose weight.

Go for the burn

If it’s burning calories that you’re keen to do when you’re exercising, swimming is a great choice. The volume of calories you’ll burn per session will vary depending on your height and weight but, on average, you can burn around 200 calories in just 30 minutes. That’s twice what you would burn by going for a walk, which makes swimming a very effective part of any diet and exercise plan.

A supported training environment

The buoyancy of the water means that swimming is accessible to just about anyone. Whether you have joint issues, or you’re recovering from injury, you’ll still be able to reap the benefits of a training session in the pool without doing any damage. As water supports up to 90% of the weight of the human body this is a great way to keep momentum going even if you’re suffering from injuries or you’re just feeling a bit tired.

A healthier mind and body

Swimming not only feels great but can also have a very positive impact when it comes to helping to protect the body against certain diseases. For example, regular sessions in the pool can help to avoid issues with heart disease and strokes, as well as Type 2 diabetes. It’s also a great way to help lower stress levels and to cope with the daily anxieties of life – regular swimming sessions can be an effective tool in handling anxiety and depression, for example, as well as improving related issues such as insomnia.

No matter what your current level of fitness, swimming regularly can help to improve it. Whether you’re suffering from an injury or struggling to commit to an exercise routine, swimming can help you get on track to improvement.

What can a hot tub be used for?

Posted on 19 September 2019 - 12:00 by Christina Mantoura

Hot tubs have a reputation for luxury and tend to be associated with beautiful hotel spas or stunning alpine chalets. While there is certainly a place for a hot tub in this kind of environment, the range of ways in which you can use a hot tub also makes it a great choice of amenity to have at home too. Hot tubs can be relaxing, therapeutic and an essential lifestyle choice – if you’re considering one for your home there are many ways in which you’ll be able to use it.

Hot tubs are hydrotherapy

All the benefits of hot tub use come from the fact that this is a great way to access hydrotherapy. Humans have been relying on hydrotherapy for years for everything, from helping to cure or manage physical ailments to providing a way to de-stress. Hydrotherapy also frequently features in essential socialising and supporting community and family ties – there are many ways in which a hot tub can help enhance your existing lifestyle, however you choose to live.

Use your hot tub to help combat depression. Mental health issues are increasingly common today and many people believe medication is the only option. However, there are other therapies that are also effective. Regular hot tub time can provide essential solitude and relaxation, for example, or be somewhere sociable to reconnect with important people who remind you that you are loved.
Hot tubs and stress relief. The combination of massage jets and warm water can be incredibly effective when it comes to bringing stress levels down. The heat in a hot tub helps to boost the pain relieving hormones in the body and can calm and soothe an anxious mind. Due to the water, hot tubs tend to be technology-free spaces and so can provide essential time away from smart phones and laptops and a genuine opportunity to relax.
Regular hot tub use and muscle pain. Whether you are suffering from a chronic condition – such as arthritis – or aching from a session in the gym, a hot tub can provide swift and effective pain relief. This is often thanks to the massage jets in the tub and the impact of the warm water on boosting circulation and reducing inflammation. The water in a hot tub also provides buoyancy that can take the pressure off muscles and joints that are painful under the impact of gravity.
Coping with high blood pressure with a hot tub. High blood pressure and poor circulation can have some troubling symptoms, from painful swelling to cold extremities and even fainting fits. A hot tub helps to provide a boost to circulation thanks to the warmth of the water, dilating blood vessels so that the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to push blood around the body. Improved circulation can help to lower blood pressure and reduce the uncomfortable physical effects that can accompany circulation problems.

These are just a few of the ways in which a hot tub can be used to help improve and enhance any lifestyle.

Is it possible to swim in a swim spa?

Posted on 12 September 2019 - 12:00 by Christina Mantoura

Swim spas can be incredibly relaxing, a blissful way to chill out after a hard day at work. However, they should not be confused with hot tubs, which are purely for spa activities. A swim spa offers all the benefits of the hot tub but also provides a strong current against which to swim. It’s not only possible to get a great swimming session with a swim spa at home, there are also a number of other ways that you can work out in one too.

Swimming in a swim spa

If you don’t have the space at home for a full sized pool but you’re looking for an active water workout a swim spa is the ideal solution. In fact, for continuous swimming, many people find that a swim spa is a better workout option. In any normal pool – unless you have space for an Olympic pool at home – you’re going to have to keep turning each time you reach the end. But in a swim spa you’re swimming against a current continuously and there is no need to turn. This allows for a wide range of training, from practising strokes to covering some serious distance.

Working out in a swim spa

In addition to swimming, a swim spa also accommodates a range of other fitness activities. For example, you can use the swim spa for jogging, whether on the spot against the current or on an aquatic treadmill. The resistance of the water can make this an incredibly tough workout but it’s also supported. Whereas a regular jog might be hard on joints as a result of gravity, in a swim spa the buoyancy of the water ensures you get all the benefits of the workout without the painful pressure on your body. The water resistance can also support other activities, from water weight training to aqua aerobics.

Swim spa as hot tub

Once you’ve finished working out the swim spa easily becomes a hot tub where you can enjoy all the benefits of hydrotherapy after your session. Hot tubs are fantastic for recovery, whether you’re just feeling a few muscle aches or training hard. The water boosts circulation in the body and works to lower blood pressure, helping your body to recover more quickly from a workout. Plus, the soothing effect of hydrotherapy can help with stress relief and bringing your body back to a calm place. If you suffer regularly from joint pain or from issues like insomnia you may also find that using your swim spa can help provide relief.

Doing everything in your own back yard

Many people struggle to keep to a regular workout schedule if they have to travel to do it. Having a swim spa at home is a major advantage, as you can workout, cool down and enjoy all the benefits of hydrotherapy without having to leave your property.

A swim spa is a great way to get an effective workout, no matter what your fitness goals.

Find out how you can use an infrared sauna

Posted on 5 September 2019 - 11:00 by Christina Mantoura

Infrared saunas are a great way to de-stress, detox, boost the immune system and even encourage weight loss. They are becoming incredibly popular thanks to the range of health benefits that they offer as well as the enjoyable experience. However, compared to traditional models infrared saunas are still relatively new and not that many people know how to use them. These are our top tips for infrared sauna use.

Heating up an infrared sauna

Most infrared saunas will heat up much more quickly than a traditional sauna, which makes them ideal for anyone with a busy life. You’ll usually need to allow around 15 minutes for an infrared sauna to reach optimum temperature. After that you can simply step in and enjoy.

Setting the right temperature

One of the big differences between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna is that an infrared sauna doesn’t have to be heated to such a high temperature. The way an infrared sauna works is to penetrate the body with infrared rays. This means that you’ll start sweating much more quickly and don’t need such high temperatures to enjoy the sauna. As a result, an infrared sauna can usually be set between 40 to 65 C to achieve the same impact that a traditional sauna would need to get to 85 to 100 C to reach. The best approach with temperature is to start low and then increase this to what feels comfortable.

What should you wear?

The short answer is: nothing. Although the heat in an infrared sauna will still affect you even if you’re clothed, the best way to enjoy optimum benefits in the sauna is to be naked. This will depend, of course, on who else is in the sauna with you. If you prefer to wear a bathing suit, make sure that it’s one made from natural materials so that your skin can breathe. It’s also a good idea to remove any jewellery when you get into the sauna to avoid burns.

The importance of staying hydrated

Saunas encourage sweating, which is an important part of the process of detoxifying. However, you need to make sure that you replace the liquid that is being lost. That could be by having water or a sports drink – alcohol is not a good idea. Drink plenty before you get into the sauna and you may also want to consider taking a drink in with you.

How much time should you spend in an infrared sauna?

This will largely depend on how accustomed you are to the heat. It’s often a good idea to start out with short periods of time so that you can get used to the sauna feeling. Those who are more experienced can spend from 25 to 45 minutes in the sauna before taking a break. What’s important is that if you feel dizzy or lightheaded you should get out straight away.

An infrared sauna is a great way to improve health and wellbeing at home. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about the benefits.

Can hot tubs affect your health

Posted on 22 August 2019 - 12:00 by Christina Mantoura

Hot tubs can be great for socialising and they are also renowned for being a wonderfully relaxing environment. However, these are not the only benefits that you can enjoy from the experience. If you have a hot tub then there are also a number of ways in which it could potentially improve your health too.

Dealing with the pain of arthritis

Improving quality of sleep

Sleep problems are common in the UK and cover a wide range of issues, from being unable to get to sleep to finding that you’re tired when you wake up because quality of sleep has been poor. If you’re not getting good sleep then your concentration can suffer and you may find it difficult just to get through the day. A hot tub can help with better sleep health in a number of different ways. The warmth of the water helps to relax and calm a hyper or over-active body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep and to sleep deeper as a result.

Better flexibility

The combination of powerful massage jets and the water temperature can be very effective when it comes to loosening up stiff muscles and improving joint flexibility. In fact, hot tubs are often used by athletes who need to be flexible before a race or event – they are a great option as part of a warm up, for example. Hot tubs also provide buoyancy – the water effectively makes the body feel weightless – which can help to ease the pressure on painful joints and reduce inflammation. It can also make it easier to stretch out muscles and to support exercise that is non-weight bearing.

Coping with anxiety

Daily anxiety is a reality for many people in 2019. Life moves at a fast pace and it doesn’t help that many of us are permanently attached to a screen, whether that’s a smart phone or a laptop. Spending time in a hot tub on a regular basis can help to reduce anxiety, providing a way for the body to physically calm down and a space in which it’s possible to relax without distractions, whether that’s technology or other people.

Dealing with specific discomfort such as back pain

Whether it’s mild or severe, back pain can be very restrictive in daily life and causes a lot of discomfort. A hot tub can provide a way to minimise the pain, no matter where it is located in the back. The combination of massage jets and warm water delivers soothing, softening relief and weightlessness in the water helps to take the pressure off stressed muscles.

These are just some of the ways in which a hot tub can be beneficial for your health.

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