A gazebo can be an essential part of enjoying your outside space, especially the hot tub. Providing protection from the elements, as well as enhancing the aesthetics of your garden, a gazebo is a great addition to any set up. But what considerations are there when it comes to choosing the right one?
A hot tub at home is lifestyle enhancing. More than just a little luxury, investing in a hot tub can bring a whole range of benefits to your home and family life, as well as providing the ultimate luxe spa feel. If you’ve always liked the idea of having a hot tub at home then this could be the ideal year to make that investment.
Sometimes the best way to test whether something is good for you is just to try it. If you’ve ever tried sinking into the warmth of a sauna after a hard day at work you’ll know just how wonderful and relaxing it feels. However, the effect of a sauna isn’t just that pure bliss feeling – it can also have an impact in a number of other ways that have more of a scientific basis.
You won’t feel this happening but the process of detoxifying and cleansing the body and system is something that saunas are very effective at. What you will feel is sweat – this is the body’s primary method for ridding itself of impurities and sweating is amplified significantly when you spend some time in a sauna. Not only will this help you to feel healthier and more energetic but it can also improve the appearance of your skin, for example clearing out blocked pores and removing surface layer dirt.
Whether you are a regular sufferer of bronchitis or you’re coming down with a seasonal cold, the science of a sauna can have a very positive impact on your respiratory system. Warm steam acts as a decongestant, reducing blockages and easing breathing. Spending time in a sauna on a regular basis can provide relief from the symptoms of bronchitis and other similar conditions. There’s also significant evidence to suggest that you can reduce your risk of catching a cold by half if you have at least two sauna sessions a week.
Heat has a very positive impact on the body, causing blood vessels to dilate and helping to improve circulation. An increase in blood flow around the body can help to deliver nutrients and remove metabolic waste. It also means that the body is more effectively using oxygen, which is distributed via the blood. This can help to steady the pulse and lower the heart rate, reducing stress and aiding relaxation. The overall impact on heart health is very positive, bringing down blood pressure and helping to relieve the discomfort – and reduce the risks – of conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Heat is a natural form of pain relief and often applied to specific areas of injury by professional athletes. Spending time in a sauna can have the same beneficial effects, especially if you’re suffering from widespread pain and inflammation, for example as a result of conditions such as arthritis. The scientific impact of heat is twofold: firstly, it can help the body to release endorphins that feel good and secondly it can trigger the release of anti inflammatories, such as cortisol and growth hormones. The overall effect is that short-term pain, such as from injury, is reduced and regular sauna sessions can provide a natural way to manage the impact of chronic conditions.
Your sauna is so much more than just somewhere to kick back and relax. As the science shows, it has some real wellness, health and lifestyle benefits too. Get in touch with our expert team or take a look at our full range of saunas on our website today.
The new year is upon us and for many people that means setting new personal goals for 2019. If getting fit is at the top of your agenda this year then your swim spa can help you to achieve that essential lifestyle change. Whether you’ve got existing injuries that need careful management, or you just need a more supported way to exercise, working out in your swim spa is a great way to get fit for 2019.
Both saunas and steam rooms have a number of health benefits and can provide a relaxing experience, whether you’ve just completed a workout or you’re looking to switch off after a hard day. In terms of installation, experience and positive lifestyle impact, there are advantages to either option so which one is the best for your individual requirements?
The primary difference between a steam room and a sauna is the type of heat involved. A steam room is wet heat and that can have a number of advantages, including when it comes to alleviating the symptoms of a range of conditions. This type of heat will open and thin the body’s mucous membranes. As a result, it can be used to relieve sinus congestion and is especially beneficial for those suffering from conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Other benefits of a steam room include:
The average human body is made up of at least 60% water and sweating in a steam room means that some of that water is expelled. As a result, spending some time in a steam room can help to reduce weight and water related bloating.
Sweating is one of the most effective ways that the human body can eliminate toxins. Whether you’re looking to recover during the Christmas party season or keen to have a regular detox built into your beauty regime, spending time sweating in a steam room is a highly effective way to do it.
You will also sweat in a sauna but may initially feel less moisture on the skin because the heat inside is dry. The dry warmth of a sauna is known for being incredibly relaxing and soothes aching muscles and over stimulated nerve endings. If you often get migraines, headaches or arthritis (or other joint conditions) regular sauna sessions can help. Saunas can also be beneficial with respect to:
The impact of sauna heat is to release feel-good endorphins, which also help to reduce stress in the body. When you step out of the sauna heat your body begins to release melatonin, which is a crucial ingredient for a good night’s sleep.
High blood pressure can be uncomfortable and, ultimately, fatal if not properly managed. Saunas are particularly well known for helping to bring blood pressure down and encourage a healthier heart.
In addition to all of the above advantages, both steam rooms and saunas will:
The choice of sauna or steam room is a matter of personal preference. Both have major benefits and offer lifestyle improvements. If you’d like to discuss your options we can help – contact us to find out more.
Light becomes an important issue in the winter months. In the UK we dropped from an average of 6.6 daily sun hours in June 2017 to just 1.7 in December of the same year and these figures are fairly standard. 20% of us now suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a kind of depression that occurs only during the winter months. It’s thought that a lack of sunlight can contribute to this annual malaise – and that light therapy, such as chromotherapy, can help to fight it.
Chromotherapy uses colours to help create balance and harmony in the body, fighting conditions like SAD and helping to ensure we remain healthy throughout the year. It’s something that is easily integrated into your sauna to boost its positive impact and improve mental and physical health.
Chromotherapy is based on the idea that we need the sun’s light for our survival – and that the light from the sun can be broken down into a seven-colour spectrum. Chromotherapy looks to top up each of the seven colours that make up the light from the sun and which can cause mental and physical issues where one is lacking. Each of the seven colours has an impact on a different area of physical and/or mental health.
Yellow
A body strengthener, especially the digestive and nervous systems. Is particularly useful where there are glandular conditions and in supporting a more effective metabolism.
Red
Improves circulation and supports nervous system.
Pink
Strengthens veins and arteries, detoxifies the blood.
Green
Green light works to improve harmony in the body, to stimulate regeneration and fight infection.
Purple
Calming and soothing, especially with respect to the digestive system and muscles. Purple light is thought to have strong meditative qualities.
Orange
A fat burner. Plus, this colour can help with conditions such as asthma.
Blue
Often associated with pain relief, for example from muscle cramps or migraines. Blue light has impressive tranquilising properties and can help with a wide range of pain relief.
It’s widely known that a sauna can have significant positive impact on the body during the winter months. From warming muscles to enable a safe workout, to increasing circulation and boosting the metabolism there are lots of ways in which spending time in a sauna in the winter can make the season more enjoyable.
Adding chromotherapy to your sauna is a great way to optimise the experience. It can help to alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression and may be a useful tool for dealing with medical conditions, as well as the aches and pains that tend to be exacerbated by the cold at this time of year. Chromotherapy will help to give every day a boost and enable you to address anything that might be lacking in your body.
If you’re looking for the perfect sauna – or to improve or upgrade an existing model – we can help. Contact us to find out more.
If you’re looking to throw a seasonal party to remember this year it has to be a hot tub party. The Christmas hot tub party is a distinctive and memorable way to celebrate the festive months and is guaranteed to be the event that everyone is talking about. This is everything you need to know about how to throw the best Christmas hot tub party your friends and family have ever seen.
Make sure you’ve got all the basics covered when it comes to prepping your hot tub for guests. Clean it thoroughly and ensure all the working parts are in great condition. You might want to think about how guests are going to use the hot tub – do you need a drying off area, somewhere close by for warm towels or clothes and will outdoor heaters enhance the experience?
You could just go for a straightforward Christmas theme but there are also lots of other creative options that will bring your party to life. For something a little more unusual you could go for “The Nightmare Before Christmas” or “Winter Wonderland” or even use your favourite Christmas story or song as the basis for the party theme. Once you’ve chosen your theme then you can start work on the other important elements, including:
How are you going to decorate your home for your Christmas hot tub party? Festive water floats, Christmas trees and plenty of fake snow can create a fun winter wonderland. Stringing up lights in the trees – or using lots of outdoor Christmas lights – will make sure everyone is feeling super festive.
It’s worth taking the time to work out how you want your guests to use the space available, including the hot tub. You’ll need to ensure everyone is safe and warm and that people are rehydrating after they’ve been in the hot tub, especially if they’ve had a lot of mulled wine or eggnog.
Will you go for festive vintage classics such as “Baby it’s cold outside” or something more recent like Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe”? Prepare your playlist in advance so you can roll out the perfect soundtrack to your party without having to be a DJ all night.
Food and drink are essential for any good party, especially a festive one. Christmas themed nibbles range from festive cookies and cakes through to roast turkey sandwiches and tins of chocolates. You can’t beat a good festive punch or some champagne for a Christmas party that goes with a pop!
Give some thought to how you’re going to entertain your guests during the party, whether that’s raucous sack races or giant Jenga.
Organising a hot tub Christmas party is the ideal way to celebrate the festive season with friends and family. From small gatherings to parties where the whole neighbourhood is invited, your hot tub is the perfect way to make it memorable.
Get in touch to find your perfect hot tub or accessories to add to your hot tub experience today.
A change in the seasons means a change in our routines and lifestyle too. As the temperatures drop we’re more inclined to conserve energy, more concerned about staying healthy and more likely to want to hibernate. If you’re lucky enough to have a hot tub at home then there are lots of ways to use it to better enjoy the winter season this year.
Winter parties have a tendency to be the same old format – if you want to throw a really memorable social event for the festive season this year then a hot tub party is ideal. Inviting friends and family over and getting warm and toasty together in the hot tub can be a unique way to celebrate the festive period, as well as your friendships and close family bonds. There are lots of hot tub accessories available to make your party even more fun, from lights to music.
In the depths of winter when the weather gets seriously cold, warming up can be difficult to do. A hot tub provides a swift and soothing way to instantly thaw out frozen toes and cold hands and to give your circulation a boost if the cold weather is making you feel sluggish.
Risk of injury can rise during the winter, whether that’s during a workout or simply when going about every day life. The hydrotherapy element of your hot tub can have a positive impact on your body when it’s cold, helping to prepare it for exercise without injury and providing a way to help soothe and release tight muscles.
If you’d like to upgrade or buy a new hot tub, contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa team to discuss your requirements today.
Everyone knows that a sauna is a great way to enjoy essential relaxation. The warmth, the quiet… if you’re in need of a blissful few moments of peace then a sauna at home is the way to get it. However, as well as providing a totally chilled relaxation experience, saunas might actually also be good for your health.
A recent study entitled “Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence” found that spending regular time in a sauna is not only great for relaxation but could also have some serious health benefits too. The study was compiled by Finnish researchers who, incidentally, come from a country with more than 10,000 years’ of experience with saunas. The Finns compiled their study by spending a month reviewing all the available evidence on the health benefits of a sauna. This included mostly people who spent anywhere between five and 20 minutes in their sauna every day.
The Finnish study found that regular sauna use could be significant with respect to cardiovascular health and a range of other benefits.
The study established that time spent in a sauna can have the same impact on the human body as moderate exercise. Circulation was significantly improved, as the effect of the sauna was to increase the heart rate to 120 beats to 150 beats per minute.
Saunas are fantastic for sweating, which is one of the primary methods used by the human body to remove toxins from the system. When we sweat those toxins are pushed out through pores in the skin and can then be scraped or showered away. The sauna also increases blood flow to the skin, making it look plumper, more nourished and younger.
What might be surprising to many people is how much simply sitting in a sauna can help to reduce key cardiovascular risks. The researchers in Finland found that there was a key correlation between people spending time in a sauna and a reduction in heart problems. People who were in a sauna four to seven times a week had 60% lower rates of stroke and heart disease than people who visited a sauna just once a week. The impact was so significant that the researchers leading the study identified sauna use as a third factor in cardiovascular health, in addition to diet and exercise.
Alongside diet and exercise, a home sauna is a great way to improve your health and get fitter. If you’d like to find the ideal home sauna for you please get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today.