Continuing our celebration of Brain Awareness Week, I’m reminded of what many customers call their hot tubs: “think tanks.” Years ago I sold a Hot Spring Classic to a woman who had been working 6 -10 hour days a week. When she got the tub and began to use it every night after a long day, she was surprised to find that her mind relaxed so much that new ideas bubbled up. She soon had an idea percolating that when put in place would allow her earn twice as much in half the time. She never did share her secret for making twice the income in half the time, but her use of the hot tub as a “think tank” was a turning point for her and many, many others since.
So take a cue from Rodin’s “The thinker”. We all need a place to get away and think..if not to think, to calm the chattering brain and sort out all the input from the day. The world is becoming more complex everyday and as we try to keep up, our brains which were designed for far less input are not able to keep up. Give yourself and your brain a break by soaking in your hot tub nightly to restore your mind and to let those great ideas bubble up. You really will get your best ideas while relaxing in your hot tub aka think tank. I guarantee it!
If you’ve gotten a terrific idea while soaking in your “think tank” Olympic Hot Tub, share it, won’t you?
SANUM PER AQUA- Latin for Health through Water.
Hi Alice,
Thanks for this very stimulating information. I agree and suspect it is about more than just increased circulation! By the way,
Dr. Bruce Becker at Washington State University and Dr. Jack Raglin of Indiana University are weighing in on hot tub immersion -
Taking time to relax in warm water may also, according to Jack Raglin, Ph.D., Indiana University, Indiana, separate us from the sources of stress which can lead to a decrease in anxiety. And, in his latest research reported at the fifth World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC), October 2008, Bruce Becker, M.D., Washington State University, states “We found that, with 25 minutes of soaking in a 102F degree hot tub, the autonomic nervous system alters during warm water immersion, producing changes that are parallel to those seen during relaxation and accompanying a reduction in anxiety.” Dr. Becker suggests that with the relaxation, warm water immersion may well have a positive effect on working memory and performance of cognitive tasks, including problem solving.
Laurie:
Thanks for your comment. It is amazing to learn that Dr. Becker found such a parallel between relaxation and anxiety reduction with soaking in a 102 degree hot tub. It’s something we’ve know anecdotally. But now we have scientific proof that hot water immersion does in fact improve working memory because of the increased blood circulation to the brain. Dr. Becker’s work will have far reaching application for the future. Thanks again for sharing. Keep us posted on his work and findings.