Category Archives: Hot Tub

Often we tend to associate hot tubs with the summer. However, they are actually a great asset during the winter too. No matter what the weather is doing there is still a lot of pleasure to be had from sinking into a tub of warm water – and your hot tub could also make winter easier to survive. So, how can you make sure that you enjoy your hot tub in winter this year?

Use your hot tub for seasonal aches and pains

At this time of year the cold can get right into your joints – but a soak in a hot tub can heat you up from the core outward. Hydrotherapy has been used for centuries to help reduce pain from inflammation and increase circulation in the body. This can be incredibly effective when it comes to warming up stiff joints or promoting healing if you’re getting over an injury. Regular use of your hot tub in winter can help you to minimise some of the discomfort of this time of year.

Get out in your hot tub whatever the weather

If it’s blowing a gale you may not want to be outside. And, if you don’t have a covered area for your hot tub then rain may not be that appealing. However, the cold itself shouldn’t stop you from using your hot tub – in fact, it’s likely to enhance the experience. When the air is cold, and even if there is snow on the ground, you can stay toasty warm inside the hot tub and still enjoy the al fresco experience.

Make it part of your celebrations

Whether it’s a Christmas party or a New Year’s Eve event, your hot tub can be a great place to bring people together socially at a special time of the year. Just make sure that you have enough towels for everyone and that people get warm quickly when they get out.

Prepare your hot tub for winter

Instead of draining and covering over the tub until next summer get it ready for use during winter instead. That may mean cleaning and replacing the water and ensuring that you’re following the same schedule of maintenance that you would during the summer. You might also want to consider a few winter additions to the hot tub area to make the experience even more enjoyable. That could be heated towel rails, mats to stand on when you get out or somewhere to hang a cosy robe so that you can get warm as soon as you’re out of the water. You may also need to consider:

• A winter cover to help preserve heat and energy
• A freeze protection system to ensure the pipes stay clear
• Checking the water level every day – if it gets too low the pumps and heater may stop working and the water could freeze
• Turning off the air jets when you’re not in the hot tub to avoid cold air being pumped in

It’s easy to enjoy your hot tub during winter. From soothing aches and pains to hosting celebrations, hot tubs can be an essential part of the coldest season of the year.

There are some great reasons to use a spa or hot tub during the winter months. From warming up on chilly days to providing a space for unique socialising and applying hydrotherapy to aches and pains, continuing to use your hot tub or spa all year round is definitely the right choice. But what do you need to consider when it comes to safety at this time of year?

Don’t drastically increase the temperature of the water

It can be tempting to boost the heat in a hot tub or spa at this time of year to make things extra toasty but this isn’t recommended. The temperature of the water should never be higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit and you should ensure that you don’t stay in the water for longer than usual. For a healthy adult a 15-minute soak is ideal – anything longer than that and you risk becoming light headed or could even suffer from heat stroke. It’s difficult for the human body to regulate its temperature when in water, as perspiration can’t happen. So, it’s essential that you’re attentive when it comes to water temperature and time immersed.

Take care of the cover at this time of year

Make sure you have a well fitting, high quality cover that will provide both protection and insulation. Try to regularly clear debris or snow from the top of the cover, especially if you’re about to take it off the hot tub or spa. Be careful when you’re removing the cover so that no damage is done and you don’t end up with ice and snow or dead leaves etc in the water.

Wear a hat

It may sound odd to wear a hat while the rest of your body is immersed in warm water but this will actually help you to better regulate your temperature. It’s almost impossible for the body to do this if your shoulders and neck are very cold and your lower half is warm. A hat can help to even this up and give your body more of a chance to regulate normally.

Prepare to get out before you get in

Hot tubs and spas are often outside and so there is a real need during the winter to ensure that you don’t get cold once you’re out of the water. Prepare for this exit before you even get into the water – put towels and a robe nearby or make sure that you have quick and easy access to somewhere that you can get dry and warm. You might want to wear shoes if the ground between your home and the hot tub is likely to be hard and cold – sandals or slippers are ideal. If the weather is icy make sure that whatever you opt for has decent grip so that you don’t slip.

These tips are designed to help you enjoy your spa or hot tub safely all year round, even during the winter months.

When winter arrives priorities shift and we tend to spend much more time inside. The focus moves to staying healthy and warm, boosting the immune system and surviving the colder months without getting sick or suffering from SAD. If you have a hot tub at home then it can help to support you during the winter in many different ways.

A much needed immune boost

According to some research, elevating the body’s core temperature can help to provide a serious boost to the immune system. So, regularly soaking in your hot tub can actually give your body more resources to fight the seasonal coughs and colds that tend to plague us all at this time of year. The temperature should be 100 degrees or lower if you want to enjoy the immune boosting benefits of your hot tub.

Relieving uncomfortable symptoms

If you do get sick then that’s no reason to avoid using your hot tub – it can actually help to relieve some of the most uncomfortable symptoms. For example, if you’re spending time in a hot tub you’ll get a boost to your circulation and the steamy conditions can help to relieve congestion and ease the pressure on your sinuses.

Warming up in winter

The heat of your hot tub is an easy way to flood the body with warmth if you’re struggling to find any during the really cold months. Even if your hot tub is outside you can still benefit from the warmth of the water and the wealth of wellbeing you’ll feel from taking a quick dip. Plus, with an outdoor hot tub you’ll get the benefits of being away from the drying effects of the central heating and still be able to stay warm while enjoying some fresh air.

Protecting and easing muscles and joints

If you regularly suffer with stiff muscles and joints as a result of the colder weather, spending time in a hot tub can help to provide essential discomfort relief. The warm water boosts circulation, allowing blood to flow more easily around the body and encouraging muscles to relax and heal. Your hot tub can also be incredibly useful if you’re regularly working out at this time of year, both in terms of preparing your body for a session and helping to aid recovery afterwards.

Reduce stress and feel better

A hot tub is a great form of hydrotherapy, which has been proven to have a positive impact when it comes to stress. From helping your body to wind down at the end of the day so that you can enjoy a better night’s sleep, to boosting endorphins to help combat seasonal anxiety and depression, there are many ways in which a hot tub can help. You can also work out in your hot tub – light aerobics or calisthenics against the resistance of the water can be incredibly effective.

Your hot tub has a lot to offer during the winter months. From a way to beat stress to a useful workout tool, there are many ways to use your hot tub at this time of year to enjoy better living.

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.

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.

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.

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

Millions of people all over the world suffer with headaches. It can be difficult to function on a daily basis when you’re in pain, especially if the headaches you’re getting are very intense or happening regularly. While many people turn to over the counter drugs and painkillers to help cope with the discomfort that headaches cause, this is not the only option. Many headaches are caused by lifestyle and so can be dealt with by looking at the way we live today. Hot tubs can be useful, not only when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle, but also helping to deal with headache pain when it occurs.

Tackling everyday stress

According to the professionals, the most common cause of headaches is stress. Many of us suffer from everyday stress and we are not particularly good at dealing with it. A hot tub can be a good antidote to stress, reducing the issues that stress can cause and helping to prevent the headaches that come with it.

• When you’re in the hot tub you have to put your phone aside, shut down your computer and close your laptop – you get a real break
• The warmth of the water in a hot tub helps to relax tight muscles and release tension and knots
• The combination of the massage jets and warm water creates a relaxing effect that brings relief to both body and mind
• Water is buoyant and this can take the pressure off joints and stressed muscles. When you’re in the hot tub you’ll be free from the impact of gravity and this can help to reduce stress

Regular hot tub use for a healthier lifestyle

Your hot tub can provide support with pain by helping you to alleviate many of the other causes of headaches, as well as stress.

• Avoiding a tension build up. Using a hot tub every day has a cumulative effect when it comes to relaxation, helping to reduce tension on an ongoing basis and stop anxiety and pressure building up.
• Improving sleep. A lack of sleep, or poor quality sleep, is another significant cause of headache pain and hot tubs have been proven to help with sleep issues. Soaking in a hot tub for 20 minutes before bed can not only help to increase the chances of getting to sleep but improve the quality of sleep too.
• Providing a basis for healthier habits. If you start building in a regular hot tub soak into your lifestyle the benefits you’ll feel will enable you to start eliminating other activities that could be causing headaches. For example, if you sleep better you are more likely to be able to control your food intake and avoid sweets and sugar, which can cause headaches if consumed in significant volumes. You might also feel more able to exercise because of the anti-inflammatory impact of a hot tub on joints and muscles and this, too, can help to minimise headache pain and improve the healthiness of your lifestyle overall.

Although it may not seem like an obvious solution, hot tubs have a lot to contribute to helping minimise headache pain and the impact it can have on your life.

Hot tubs are incredibly relaxing and a great way to wind down after a hard day at work. However that’s not their only use. Whether you’re a professional athlete or have your own personal workout goals that mean putting your body through its paces, a hot tub can be very useful before and after a workout too. It’s important to use the hot tub properly so that you get all the benefits for your body from the impact of hydrotherapy if you’re exercising.

Soothing tense muscles

If you’re planning to use your hot tub to help with muscle cramps and pain this can be a great solution. However, it’s often worth waiting a day or so if you’ve had a really intense workout and have a lot of muscle pain as a result. If you don’t wait the heat of the water could make any muscle inflammation worse. At the right time, the increased blood flow that results from the warmth of the hot tub water has a very positive impact on muscle inflammation. Not only will the hot tub soothe the pain of aching muscles but the effect will also be to support quicker recovery too.

Making a hot tub part of your cool down routine

When you finish a workout it’s always important to take the time to cool down and stretch out – even before you step into the hot tub. If your heart rate is still high and/or your breathing is laboured from a really hard workout then you need to set aside time to bring your body back to its normal functions first. If you don’t, the heat of the hot tub combined with the increased pressure on your body from the workout could cause issues such as dizziness. Once you’ve stretched out and cooled down, drunk some water and brought your body temperature back down the hot tub is the ideal place to relax and celebrate a workout well done.

Using a hot tub as part of your warm up

It’s not just after a workout that a hot tub can be useful – you can also integrate it into a warm up routine. The warmth of the water in the hot tub, combined with the effect of the massage jets, boost circulation and can help to release muscles and increase the flexibility within the body. This is exactly the kind of impact that can help to prepare your body for a workout so that you get more from it. So, if you want to make your workouts more effective and enjoyable, try combining some time in a hot tub with some basic exercises before you start working out.

Hot tubs are great if you use them properly

The optimum time for a hot tub soak is 20 minutes – this gives your body enough time to absorb the benefits of hydrotherapy. If you’re using the hot tub before or after exercise it’s always important to listen to your body – if you are too hot beforehand, don’t get in, and if you feel dizzy then get out of the water straight away.

A hot tub has a lot to contribute to any workout routine and can support both better warm up and faster recovery.