Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

Hot tubs are often pitched as a luxury or an indulgence. However, the reality is that they can have a great practical impact on wellness too, no matter what your lifestyle. Emotional wellness, in particular, is something that many of us regularly neglect as a result of busy lives and a range of stresses and pressures. If you have a hot tub then there are five easy ways to use it to help improve your emotional wellness and to make it more of a priority.

1. An investment in the quality of your sleep

All of us have experienced a sleepless night at some point in our lives and so are aware of how emotionally raw this can make us feel. When we aren’t sleeping, we may suffer increased levels of anxiety and depression and find it difficult to deal with every day situations. Regular use of a hot tub before bed helps to create the conditions for good sleep to support emotional wellness. From relaxing muscles to improving breathing and circulation, there are many benefits to aid a better night’s sleep.

2. Making time for the people who matter

Loneliness and isolation are big issues in our society today. Many of us share spaces with friends or family but don’t really engage with them or are just not dedicating enough time to these crucial relationships. For true emotional wellness to thrive, it’s important to make time for those who matter and a hot tub is a great space for this. No phones, just great conversation and a fun environment in which to relax together.

3. Time that’s just for you

All of us need at least a little alone time to relax and recharge away from our busy lives. If you have a hot tub then this is the ideal place in which to do it. You can disconnect from the world, read a book or listen to your favourite music and just spend a little time on a regular basis reconnecting with you. The more time we make to look after our own emotional wellbeing in this way, the better parent/spouse/friend/coworker we can be to others.

4. Creating wellness routines that work

Finding time to dedicate to wellness can be tough in a busy schedule, which is why little routines are so essential. A routine is something we can do almost without thinking, which makes it easy to bring something positive into the day without really trying. Build a wellness routine around your hot tub to make this more of a priority in your life, whether that involves meditation and relaxation or spending time with friends.

5. Take care of your body

Pain and discomfort impact negatively on emotional wellness. If you suffer from a condition like arthritis, from stress headaches or any other aches and pains, a hot tub can be very healing. The warmth of the water, combined with the massage jets, has a powerful impact on physical discomfort that can help to ease emotional stress too.

Hot tubs are so much more than just a luxury – if you want to prioritise your emotional wellness then this is a great way to do it.

Rates of stress and anxiety are increasing significantly among young people. From academic pressure through to the impact of social media use, there are many influences that can be negative when it comes to how it makes children and young adults feel about themselves and the world around them. As parents, guardians or friends of young adults it’s often challenging to identify ways to help them cope with this stress – a hot tub could help.

Downtime from phone time

The current generation of young adults is the first to be going through adolescence – and beyond – permanently attached to a screen. Smart phones can have many benefits but many studies have shown that they can also contribute to anxiety and stress in young people. Many feel addicted and struggle to even put down the phone for a short period of time. This is where a hot tub can be useful – most young adults prize their phones so highly that they simply won’t risk taking it near water so time in a hot tub is phone free.

Making space for real conversations

Spending time in a hot tub with the young adults in your life creates a space for real, authentic conversations to take place. Whether you’re concerned about the impact of stress and want to have a face-to-face conversation about it, or you simply want to create a space and time to engage more with your children, a hot tub is a great environment in which to do it. Sometimes just being together in a low pressure environment can create the ideal conditions in which young people feel that they are able to open up.

Easing the physical symptoms of stress

Relaxing in a hot tub enables anyone to deal better with stress simply by reducing symptoms to provide some relief. The hot water improves circulation, for example, which can ease tension headaches that may be being caused by feelings of stress and anxiety. The warmth of the water, combined with the gentle pressure of the massage jets, triggers a release of feel good endorphins, which helps to energise and improve the mood, as well as creating the conditions for problem solving. Plus, if young people are suffering with physical aches and pains as a result of stress in the body, a hot tub can provide a lot of relief.

Emphasising the importance of taking a break

Young adults can experience a lot of stress, whether that’s impending exams or social pressure. Encouraging them to step out of whatever is causing these difficult feelings – and into a hot tub – is always positive. It’s a great way to teach younger people how to start managing stress and to demonstrate how powerful it can be to just take a break.

Hot tubs are a luxury and they can be a lot of fun but they also have the potential to contribute to better lifestyles too. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch.

According to the National Sleep Foundation there are more than 30 million people in the UK who suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues. So, if you regularly find yourself struggling to get a good night’s sleep then you’re not alone. The impact of poor sleep can be wide ranging.

From being unable to concentrate during the day to feeling depressed and anxious, there are many ways in which a lack of rest at nighttime can affect how you feel all day. If you’re currently struggling with insomnia then your hot tub might be able to help you turn the situation around.

Giving the body what it needs to wind down

Many hot tub owners report getting better sleep simply as a result of using their hot tubs before bed. There are lots of different reasons for this. For example, when we’re in a hot tub we tend to put our phones down – the blue light that smart phones emit essentially tells our brains that it’s daytime, waking us up just when we should be winding down.

20 minutes in a hot tub before bedtime – without your phone – means you’re avoiding exposure to that harmful light and you are much more likely to sleep better as a result. A bedtime session in a hot tub also helps to release tight muscles and soothe any aches and pains that could potentially be uncomfortable enough to keep you awake. The warm water in a hot tub improves the flow of blood around the body, boosting its ability to heal itself.

A better night’s sleep

When we are in a hot tub, the warmth of the water tends to increase body temperature. However, once we step out of the water, body temperature falls. This can naturally trigger drowsiness, signaling to the mind and body that it’s time to switch off and rest. This not only helps to avoid a situation where you can’t get to sleep but can also ensure that the quality of sleep that you enjoy is higher too.

Experts recommend bedtime rituals

Parents often create bedtime rituals for children because this helps young minds to get used to the idea that sleep happens at a certain time of the day. Many experts recommend the use of similar rituals in adults for anyone who finds it difficult to get to sleep on a regular basis.

A warm soak in a hot tub can be the cut-off point from the day that has just gone, helping to create a gap between being switched on during the day and switching off when it’s time to sleep. It’s a good idea to schedule this for around an hour or 1.5 hours before you go to bed, at the same time every night, so that the body starts to get used to the idea that this is the point at which the wind down begins.

A hot tub is a fantastic tool for anyone who is struggling with sleep issues. Regularly soaking in your hot tub before bed really can help you to sleep tight.

Get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company to browse our full range today.

“Wellness” has become a social media buzz term and a theme across many sectors. However, the reality of it is simply taking care of yourself. There are many different elements involved in this, from ensuring that you’re eating a healthy, balanced died to getting the regular exercise that your body needs to thrive. If you have a hot tub at home – or you’re thinking of getting one – there is a lot that hydrotherapy can contribute to keeping your wellness levels high.

Hot tubs and insomnia

Insomnia is one of the biggest wellness blockers. A good night’s sleep can make you feel revitalised and energetic with positive implications right across the body, both inside and out. However, if your sleep quality is poor, or you’re struggling to get to sleep in the first place, this can have a significant negative impact on how you feel.

The warmth of the water in a hot tub, and the relaxing effect of the experience, can contribute significantly to aiding sleep. Spend time in your hot tub in the evenings to wind down from the day and you’ll soon find that you’re more ready to close your eyes – and that your sleep quality improves as a result.

Recovering from physical activity

The benefits of hydrotherapy are well known when it comes to recovery – for example, heat from the water in a hot tub increases blood flow to muscles and promotes healing. Whether you’re a professional athlete or you’ve started a new exercise programme, aching muscles and tired limbs can be soothed by a soak in the warm bubbles of a hot tub. Not only will this make you feel better in terms of providing some pain relief but it can also help to improve recovery time too.

Minimising chronic pain

Conditions such as arthritis can be difficult to manage and the ongoing discomfort has a very negative effect on wellness. The Arthritis Research Campaign actually recommends regularly using a hot tub to help improve quality of life when it comes to managing this condition. Some of the benefits of doing so include reducing joint stiffness, better pain management and aiding muscle relaxation.

Coping better with stress

Ongoing anxiety and stress are essentially the opposite of high wellness levels. From tense muscles through to the experience of migraines and panic attacks, stress can have an impact right across the body that can be physical and psychological. Hot tubs are a very powerful tool if you’re looking to better manage your stress to improve overall wellness. The combination of the warmth of the water, as well as the buoyancy and the soothing massage jets is incredibly effective when it comes to helping to bring stress levels down. Plus, the massage effect of the jets can release endorphins, which instantly reduce stress levels.

If you’re looking to make wellness a priority in your life, a hot tub could have a big role to play in making that happen. To find the perfect hot tub for you, contact our team.

According to the Office for National Statistics 5% of adults in the UK say they feel lonely “often” or “always.”  Being around other people has a very positive impact on the human brain, which is why a healthy social life is so important. Hot tubs are renowned for delivering a range of health benefits associated with hydrotherapy, from optimising sports recovery to helping to soothe aches and pains. However, having a hot tub can also help to support mental health and happiness by enhancing your social life too.

Being in the present

We are all tied to our phones today, whether to check on the babysitter or see whether someone we’re interested in has WhatsApp’d. Getting your friends together in the hot tub means that phones have to be left at a safe distance from the water. This provides the opportunity to really engage and connect, to rediscover what you love about those in your social circle and to strengthen bonds.

Making new friends with a games night

Everyone loves a games night. And if you’re looking to widen your social circle this is also a great way to do it, as it’s much easier to make friends when everyone is focused on the same activity. There are plenty of options when it comes to floating board games and card games or you can use items from your home to set challenges. Get everyone you invite to bring someone you don’t know and your social circle will instantly double.

Staying in is the new going out

It can be difficult to chat in a restaurant or bar if you can’t hear each other over the ambient noise. Maybe you don’t really like the music or the drinks are watered down. If you have a hot tub gathering at home instead you’re completely in control of the playlist and you won’t have to queue for your drinks. That leaves much more time to have fun the way you want to – with the food, drinks and music that you like. If you’re on a budget then it will be a far more wallet-friendly evening too.

Enhancing the fun with a theme

When you have a hot tub at home you can instantly make social experiences more fun by adding a theme. For example, why not create a spa experience around your hot tub for a pampering evening, birthday or hen do. You could also have a movie night, projecting a classic film onto a big screen, or even the side of your house, which everyone can enjoy from the warmth of the hot tub.

Enjoy the outdoors

Especially in winter, it can get boring being inside all the time. If you have a hot tub then you and your friends can socialise outside. And, no matter what the weather is doing, you’ll still have a great, enjoyable (and warm) time.

Hot tubs have a lot to add to any social life. Contact us to find your ideal model today.

Aromatherapy offers a wide range of health benefits, including helping to reduce anxiety, enhance healing and aid better sleep. Hot tubs are also known for their positive impact when it comes to easing stress, minimising muscular aches and pains and improving general wellbeing. Combining aromatherapy with a hot tub experience can considerably enhance the range of benefits that you enjoy as a result.

Using aromatherapy in a hot tub

Aromatherapy is most often available as essential oils. However, it’s important to note that adding these straight into your hot tub is not a good idea. Dropping oil into the water in your hot tub will leave an unsightly film on the surface of the water and mean you might need to change it more often. Essential oils can also block filters and may do damage to the internal parts of the hot tub so that it requires more maintenance – or even replacement parts.

You may also find that essential oils change the PH balance in the hot tub, which may make sanitation difficult. So, essential oils are not the best idea for hot tubs. However, there are a range of options that have been specifically designed to help you combine aromatherapy with your hot tub for the best possible experience.

Aromatherapy liquids

These will disperse in the water of the hot tub releasing the right fragrances but without blocking the filters or causing any damage to internal workings.

Aromatherapy crystals

Using crystals means you can still create a wonderfully aromatic experience but you won’t be left with a film of oil – the crystals just dissolve leaving nothing behind.

Bath bombs for the hot tub

Many of us are familiar with bath bombs and these are also available for the hot tub, packed full of aromatherapy scents.

In-built aromatherapy

Some hot tub models have an aromatherapy system built into the design itself. Where that’s the case, the scent is usually dispersed via cartridges that release it into the air as opposed to the water.

Aromatherapy beads

If you’re looking for aromatherapy that doesn’t get released into the water, aromatherapy beads are ideal. They come with a dispenser that floats on the water, releasing the scent continuously without anything entering the water.

Aromatherapy – where to start

If you’re considering using any of these methods to start enjoying aromatherapy with your hot tub then these are some of the most common scents and their benefits.

• Lavender. It’s widely known that lavender can be a great stress reliever and can help to calm the mind. Studies have also shown it may reduce instances of insomnia.
• Rosemary. If you’re under physical or mental strain, rosemary can help to reduce the impact and enable you to find calm.
• Peppermint. The kick of peppermint is great for mental agility, improving memory and waking you up.
• Frankincense. This soothing scent is also well known for its effect on reducing anxiety, as well as inflammation and pain.

There are many ways in which a hot tub can enhance your lifestyle. Contact our team to find the perfect option for you.