Looking for Better Sleep? Soak in the Hot Tub Before Bed

March 8, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

Sleep and hot tubs. What’s the connection?

Did you know that relaxing in a hot tub can help ease your body into a deeper sleep?

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), a non-profit organization promoting sleep education, advocacy, and research, has declared March 3-9 National Sleep Awareness Week. According to a recent poll by the NSF, approximately 132 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders more than one a night a week. This number is rising! The growing number of sleep disorder centers across the nation (approximately 3,000 in the U.S. today) is proof that more people are sleepless and want to do something about it.

Sleep researchers believe that many cases of insomnia can be traced to our hectic, stressful lifestyles. Even though you may enjoy perfect health, sleep deprivation can soon lead to a variety of ailments. The results of sleep deprivation are varied and can include battered nerves, grogginess, lapses in memory, depression, and even erratic mood swings. Rather than reaching for over-the-counter sleeping aids, prescription drugs or giving in to insomnia,  the first thing to do is relax in a hot tub before bedtime.

The Pool & Spa News magazine (July 1998) reported that a Gallup poll found bathing to induce sleep common among the 1,000 adults surveyed, and a Consumer Reports survey reported that readers with mild sleep disorders listed a warm bath as one of the most popular remedies.

Studies suggest that immersion in hot water (such as a hot tub which has a constant temperature) before bedtime can ease the transition into a deeper, more restful sleep. This may be due to a temperature shift, since the body’s core internal thermostat drops after leaving the water, which signals the body that it’s time to sleep. Or, the sleep improvement may be related to hot water’s relaxing properties – the buoyancy of water reduces body weight by approximately 90%, relieving pressure on joints and muscles, creating the sensation of weightlessness. The hot, swirling water leaves you feeling both mentally and emotionally relaxed.

In addition, hot tub-induced sleep is a natural remedy, unlike alternative sleeping aids such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies and alcohol – all of which can make you feel groggy and have other adverse side effects.

Just how much can a hot tub enhance your sleep? Researchers are still finding out.  Check out the following sources:

Getting in my  Hot Spring Spa 2-3 hours before bed and “re-setting” my body temperature for sleep plus getting rid of the aches and pains of the day really helps my sleep. It’s nothing short of a miracle waking up feeling refreshed before

the alarm goes off. The quality of my sleep is so much better-even priceless!

Come take a FREE test soak in one of our Olympic Hot Tub Company showrooms and test the better sleep theory for yourself. I know you’ll enjoy better sleep. Getting a new mattress is only 1/2 of the answer to better sleep. Your body holds the key to the other 1/2.  Soaking in a hot tub before going to sleep on a new mattress-wouldn’t that be a great thing?

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Attention Restoration Therapy: Hot Tubbing to Restore Your Ability to Think

February 8, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

Soaking in a hot tub outdoors may be the very thing you need to restore your cognitive ability to peak form.

Last Sunday’s New York Times magazine asked the question: “Is there an ecological unconscious?” A branch of psychology says that there is and that ignoring it puts not just our planet but also our minds at risk. In the article by Daniel B. Smith, he mentions a study by researchers at the University of Michigan that was set up to validate attention restoration therapy (A.R. T.) A.R. T. is a 20 year old idea that posits a stark difference in the ability of the natural and the urban setting to improve congnition.

Nature, A.R.T. maintains, increases focus and memory because it is filled with “soft fascinations” (rustling trees and bubbling water) that give our high-level functions the leisure to replenish.  Urban life, however, is filled with harsh stimuli (honking horns, sirens, billboards) that can cause a kind of cognitive overload.

In a our own study at Olympic Hot Tub Company conducted in late 2008 with a random group of our Hot Spring Spa owners, we found (although we did not know it was called A.R. T.) that everyone questioned about the benefits of hot tub soaking mentioned “being in nature”.  Many of the respondents said that they went in every day. Using the hot tub was the only way they could find their “balance” again and it was hot tub soaking outdoors that was the key. While in the tub they experienced the rustling trees and bubbling water that is now found to be so important to our ability to focus and maintain memory.

Feeling unbalanced and over whelmed by  urban life? Take a hot tub soak outdoors. Daily renewal is an important aspect of brain health-now validated by a scientific study. Hot tub soaking is more than a few minutes of “feeling good”-it’s vital for your health.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Top 6 Ways a Hot Tub at Home Will Improve Your Health

January 25, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

Top 6 ways that soaking in a hot tub can improve your health

. Hot water bathing has been a tradition in many cultures since roman times. But many people don’t know that today’s hot tubs provide significant health benefits. Take a look at the latest studies that will show you how a hot tub at home can lead the way to wellness from head to toe:

1. Better sleep. According to the National Institute of Health, more than 70 million Americans suffer from mild to chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders. A recent study in the scientific journal Sleep showed that soaking in a hot tub prior to bedtime can help insomniacs achieve a deeper, more relaxing sleep. Taking a soak in 102 degree water 2-3 hours before bedtime will relax you and re-set your body thermostat making it easier to both fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.

2. Stress Relief. There’s no better way to stimulate the body’s natural endorphin release than soaking in a hot tub. The heat increases blood flow and the therapeutic massage works out muscle soreness. Stress is a silent killer in our overworked culture. The resulting muscle tension, headaches, soreness and fatigue which can continue over time can lead to serious health problems. Not only does a spa’s buoyancy ease pressure on joints and muscles, the mood elevation and the natural relaxation response is a priceless way to improve health.
3. Improve your game.

According to Tennis Magazine, improving your game is a cinch when you soak after playing. You’ll avoid muscle soreness the next day and your joints will thank you for the increased blood circulation which takes away lactic acid (which is what causes soreness and fatigue) built up through a rigorous game.
4. Knee pain relief. A recent study of patients who had undergone knee replacement surgery found that not only did they experience less pain, but their recovery time was faster than for non-soakers. Their range of motion improved significantly faster and they used less pain medication than did the non-soakers.
5. Banish Back Pain. Lower back pain is the number two reason in the U.S. (after colds and flu) for a visit to the doctor. The British Journal of Rheumatology published a study which demonstrated that hot tub therapy has both sort and long-term benefits for people with lower back pain. A later study in the same journal further documented the those findings. After three weeks of consistent spa therapy, examinations showed more improvement in the health status (as measured in pain duration and intensity and back flexibility) of the spa treatment group than of the medication-only group. After six months, significant improvement continued in the spa therapy group. In addition, their use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs had decreased.
6. Soothing Relief for Arthritis Pain.

Approximately 43 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis pain. The good news for those who suffer from it is that there are safe and effective ways to both minimize the discomfort and prevent further damage. According to a publication from The Arthritis Foundation entitled Spas, Pools, and Arthritis, “Regular sessions in your hot tub help keep joints moving. It restores and preserves strength and flexibility, and also protects your joints from further damage. Exercise can also improve a person’s coordination, endurance, and the ability to perform daily tasks, and can lead to an enhanced sense of self-esteem and accomplishment.” “A hot tub fulfills the need perfectly . . . providing the warmth, massage, and buoyancy that is so necessary to the well-being of arthritis sufferers. The buoyancy of the water supports and lessens stress on the joints and encourages freer movement. Water exercises may even act as a resistance to help build muscle strength.”

In addition to the above benefits, check out more ways a hot tub at home can help your overall health.  more. Take advantage of the exercise guide we’ve posted on the Olympic Hot Tub Company site for a gentle way to get fit while enjoying the hot, soothing waters of a hot tub.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Are Hot Tubs Safe for People with Treated Hypertension?

January 20, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

Canadian researchers asked the question: Are hot tubs safe for people being treated for hypertension?

Their study results published in the Canadian Journal of Medicine are very interesting.

BACKGROUND: People with hypertension are commonly warned to check with a physician before using a hot tub, but there is little in medical literature on which to base this advice.  The authors compared symptoms, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in response to 10 minutes of hot-tub immersion in a group of patients with treated hypertension and in a control group without hypertension.

STUDY METHOD: Researchers recruited 21 patients (18 men and 3 women aged 43-76 years) with stable, treated hypertension and 23 control subjects (14 men and 9 women aged 19-83 years) without hypertension. They were studied, in mid-afternoon, at a public hot tub facility. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline, during immersion in a hot tub at 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) and for 10 minutes after immersion.  Each subject was asked to report any symptoms.

RESULTS: None of the subjects reported dizziness, chest pain or palpitations. During immersion, systolic blood pressure fell in both groups, from a mean 144 mm HG to 122 mm HG in the hypertensive group and from 130 mm HG to 110 mm Hg in the control group.  Blood pressure returned to baseline within 10 minutes after the subjects left the hot tub. Diastolic blood pressure also fell, whereas heart rate was increased in both groups. The hypertensive group showed a slightly lower maximal increase in heart rate than the group without hypertension.

INTERPRETATION: Immersion in a hot tub for 10 minutes lowers blood pressure in subjects with treated hypertension, but no more than in control subjects without hypertension.  Their conclusion: spending 10 minutes in a hot tub should be safe for most treated hypertensive patients.

Study authors: Shin TW, Wilson M, Wilson TW. Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology and the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction Unit, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

It is always advisable to check with your own physician, if you have any medical issues for which  you think hot tubbing would not be beneficial.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Suffer from Osteoarthritis? Use Your Hot Tub for a Water Work Out

January 13, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

From HealthDay News: Water Workouts Work for Arthritis. Patients Sessions relieve pain and help improve daily function. Researchers say doing stretching and aerobic workouts in warm water may help relieve pain and improve daily function in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis.

That finding was offered by Danish researchers who reviewed six studies involving about 800 patients.

In the studies, participants did aquatic exercise for different lengths of time and numbers of sessions per week. In most of the studies, patient progress was assessed after three months of therapy.

“In people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, pain may decrease by one more point on a scale of 0 to 20 with aquatic exercise, and function may improve by three more points on a scale of 0 to 68,” the review authors wrote.

“There is gold-level evidence that for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, aquatic exercise probably reduces pain and slightly improves function over three months,” they noted. “Based on this, one may consider using aquatic exercise as the first part of a longer exercise program for osteoarthritis patients.”

The review authors weren’t able to find evidence that patients experienced any changes in walking ability or stiffness after aquatic exercise sessions. They said more research is needed to determine whether aquatic exercise offers any long-term benefits for osteoarthritis patients, and the types, duration and frequency of aquatic exercise that may be most effective.

The review is published in The Cochrane Library journal.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, affects about 21 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Treatment typically involves a combination of weight control, medication, physical therapy and exercise.

For more information: The Arthritis Foundation.

Try our Olympic Hot Tub Company water workout exercises that are gentle enough for people with joint pain. These can be done easily in your Hot Spring Spa.

SANUM PER AQUA. Health Through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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40% Reduction in Soreness After Exercise By Soaking in a Hot Tub After Your Workout!

January 10, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

Get more benefit from your workouts and reduce soreness by soaking in a hot tub after exercising.

Make your life better with the hot water therapy only a hot tub can provide. You really can reduce swelling, manage pain, heal faster, sleep better, and feel happier with regular hot tub  soaking.

After exercising when you’ve stopped sweating and your heart rate is normal, immersion in hot water is said to reduce soreness by 40 percent according to Men’s Health Magazine in an article by Scott Quill published in the January-February issue 2007.  Immersing your body in a hot tub actually decreases swelling by the pressure that the water exerts on one’s body. You can improve your joint health and relieve pain as water immersion lessens the impact of gravity on  painful joints. The water makes you feel lighter and that adds to the relaxation effect.

When recovery exercise was combined with water, patients experienced an increased range of motion and decreased levels of pain according to  the authors of a study “Aquatic physical therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis” published in Physical Therapy, 2007.

A hot tub is far superior to a bath tub for hot water therapy. Why? You can maintain a constant temperature in a hot tub, have space to move around to do isometric exercises and experience added relief with hot water massage provided by the jets. If you take 3 or more baths a week to relieve pain & soreness, you need a hot tub.  Not only will you experience greater relief, your overall cost will be less. It costs less to heat a well-insulated hot tub (on average) than heating 3 bathtubs full of water And, it saves water since hot tubs like Hot Spring Spas need only be drained 3-4 times a year.

Feel sore after a workout? Feeling joint pain? Head to the hot tub! Feel better immediately.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Hot Tubbing Outdoors: An Important Component of Mental Health

January 7, 2010 By Alice Leave a Comment

Hot tub soaking outside in the winter is not only the best time because of the contrast between the heat and the cold outside, but it may make an important difference in your mental health. When you’re indoors all day in winter, your outdoor time is usually limited to the dash from your car to your office or grocery store. Take time for a Hot Spring Spa break outdoors in the hot tub. The mental health benefits may surprise you.

Dr. Jules Pretty, at the Center for Environment and Society in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Essex, in England makes a strong case for “being in nature”. “Irrespective of where we come from in the world, it seems that the presence of living things makes us feel good. There are three levels of engagement with nature.

*The first is viewing nature, as through a window, or in a book, on television or in a painting.

*The second is being in the presence of nearby nature, which is incidental to some other activity, such as walking or cycling to work, or reading on a garden seat, and (we’ve added this one) soaking in a hot tub outdoors.

*The third level is active participation and involvement with nature, such as gardening, hiking or running.

There is now strong evidence that all these levels deliver mental health benefits. The levels with the most involvement deliver the most benefits.

A recent survey of our Olympic Hot Tub Company Hot Spring Spa owners echoed Dr. Pretty’s research most strongly in regards to his second point of engagement with nature. All of the Hot Spring Spa owners surveyed reported immense pleasure, increased mental relaxation and peace of mind from soaking in their hot tubs outside. They all said that being in the presence of nature was the “frosting on the cake”, the “cherry on the sundae” that capped the experience and took it from the mundane to the sublime. It was the reason they rarely missed a night’s soaking. It was the reason why their own yards gained a bigger place in their lives.

Outside soaking opened up a new appreciation of the previously unseen natural world. People mentioned owls, squirrels, raccoons, the wind, stars, the trees and far vistas. So in addition to the great physiological benefits, the mental/spiritual benefits were the most deeply moving.

From my own experience I, too, have been profoundly moved by soaking in my roof top Hot Spring while viewing the stars and satellites (!), feeling the wind and the rain on my face and just letting go of all daily cares and worries. Plus I get my best ideas in the hot tub!

RES EST SEVERA VOLUPTAS-Latin for Pleasure is serious business.

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Buy Long Term Care Insurance AND a Sauna and a Hot Tub to Preserve Your Health-One Couple's Health Care Plan!

December 28, 2009 By Alice Leave a Comment

What does owning a hot tub and a sauna have to do with long term care insurance? That’s what I asked when Val Miller, sales associate in our Olympic Hot Tub Company Seattle store told me about the sale she had yesterday-a Finnleo sauna AND a Hot Spring Jetsetter to a Seattle couple. When she asked what motivated their purchases, they told Val that they had just purchased long term care insurance. It was so expensive they hoped they’d never have to use it.

So, they did the smart thing by deciding to take care of their health so they wouldn’t fall ill. “It’s elementary,” as Sherlock Holmes used to say to  Dr. Watson. They purchased a Finnleo infrared sauna (B-300) and a Hot Spring Spa (Jetsetter) because the health benefits of each are proven and compelling.  That’s their added insurance-using the sauna and hot tub so they never have to use their long term care insurance! Smart thinking!

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

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How To Be Your Own Massage Therapist-Perfect For After Soaking In The Hot Tub

December 23, 2009 By Alice Leave a Comment

Happy Muscles: Suggestions for Quick Relief using self massage after a nice soak in your hot tub.

COLLETTE GLASS, a massage therapist in Atlanta, offers her top three moves for leg relief from an article in The New York Times, Thursday, December 3, 2009, “Becoming Your Own Massage Therapist”.

When you’re at home or work and there’s no chance for a getting a professional massage, try these moves for muscle relief either before or after soaking in your Hot Spring Spa.  The results will likely be better after soaking as your muscles will have warmed up and the tenseness will have subsided somewhat.  I used the calf  move on the Saturday we had our Toys for Tots event at the Fife store.  Having stood outdoors for two hours on hard concrete, my calves were sore! I jumped in the tub when we got home and massaged my tired legs after wards. Bliss.

CALVES

Standing, place one leg on a low chair or bench. Reach down and place thumb and forefinger of one hand on opposite sides of the top of the heel. Squeeze your fingers and slowly raise your toes, flexing your foot. Lower the foot. Repeat two more times, then move a half-inch up your leg and repeat the sequence, continuing up to the back of the knee. Repeat on other leg.

TIBIALIS POSTERIOR

To reach the tibialis posterior – the muscle behind the shin – stay in the same position as for the calf massage. Starting just above the ankle, poke a thumb into the muscle behind the shin and twist your wrist, as if you’re trying to push your thumb under your shin. Flex and lower your foot three times, then move up a half-inch. “It will be most tender about three-quarters of the way up” to the knee, Mrs. Glass said, noting that this is a common place for stress fractures. Repeat on other leg.

QUADRICEPS

Sitting so your knees are bent 90 degrees, make a relaxed fist with one hand, and press the knuckles into the muscle above your kneecap on one leg. Slowly straighten the leg. Lower, and repeat three times before moving up in half-inch segments to the top of the leg. If the pressure isn’t enough, apply more with your other hand, or use the heel of a hand. Repeat on other leg.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

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Natural Remedy for Migranes-Head to the Hot Tub

December 20, 2009 By Alice Leave a Comment

’tis the season when many people suffer severe migranes and there’s no better place to go to alleviate a migrane than your Hot Spring Spa.

Physiologically, the migraine headache is a neurological condition more common to women than to men. The word migraine was based on Greek hemikrania, from Greek roots for “half” and “skull” or figuratively meaning hitting one’s head with a pick axe!

The typical migraine headache is on both sides of the brain with pulsating pain, lasting from 4 to 72 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), and phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound). Approximately one-third of people who suffer migraine headache perceive an aura-unusual visual, olfactory, or other sensory experience that are a sign that a migraine will soon strike.

Initial treatment is with analgesics (from aspirin to Percocet) for the headache, an anti-emetic for the nausea, and the avoidance of triggering conditions. Although the cause of migraine headache is unknown, the most common theory is a disorder of the serotonergic control system, i.e. the part of the brain that secretes serotonin-a chemical in the brain related to depression.

Migranes are debilitating, can wreck havoc on plans and prevent many from living a productive, happy life.  Try a natural approach when a migrane strikes. You might be surprised at how effective it is.

Get thee to the hot tub when a migraine hits. By immersing yourself in water with a steady temperature (between 102-104 degrees), you can release stress and tension that may be triggering the onset of a  migrane. Close your eyes and try to let your mind clear. This is the first step towards migrane relief.

Make sure to keep your fulid intake up

which helps combat migraines for people. Most people that have migraines tend to avoid eating or drinking when they have a flare up.  Experts say that keeping the amount of water that in your system at a steady level is essential to avoiding migranes.  So, drink water on a steady level throughout the day.

Try a massage therapist, too. It is very common for stress to be the trigger of the headache that a person has, and when this happens the muscles in the body tense up. Having a massage can help eliminate the tense muscles thus providing the relief from the migraine that you want.

So, take a hot tub, drink plenty of water and visit your favorite masseuse before reaching for heavy pain killers and resigning from life for the duration. If you can’t make a trip to a masseuse, check out the book “Self-Massage for Athletes” by Rich Poley.  You may find quicker, more long lasting relief-the natural way.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health Through Water.

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