The Many Health Benefits Of Relaxing In A Hot Tub
Posted on: 22 March 2021
Hot tubs provide relaxation and fun opportunities to socialize. The tubs also offer health benefits. Examples include reducing blood pressure, relieving insomnia and lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients. Anyone who has been considering buying a hot tub might find that information particularly interesting.
Lowering Blood Pressure
One study found that people with treated hypertension and those without this disorder both experienced reductions in blood pressure after 10 minutes of sitting in a hot tub. The group of hypertensive participants started with an average systolic level of 144, which fell to an average of 122. The other group had an average systolic reading of 130 before entering the tub and 110 after 10 minutes. The authors noted that 10 minutes should be safe for most individuals being treated for hypertension.
Relieving Insomnia
Fifteen minutes spent soaking in hot water in the evening can help people with insomnia improve their sleep quality. The study that verified this hypothesis researched older women taking a hot bath 1-1/2 hours before going to bed. These insomniac females reported more restful sleep than they had been experiencing previously.
A person can accomplish this with a bathtub, but that doesn't provide the extra soothing qualities of hot water flowing from the jets. A hot tub is also substantially more spacious for two people who want to relax together.
Decreasing Blood Sugar
Over three weeks, 30-minute hot tub sessions for six days each week resulted in decreased blood sugar for Type 2 diabetes patients. It's possible this occurred because the warmth increases circulation to the skeletal muscle. The skeletal muscle system has a large role in blood sugar regulation. The tissues draw glucose from the blood with the help of insulin.
Other Advantages
Men and women who enjoy the experience already know the other advantages of hot tubs. Lounging in the tub after a stressful workday eases tension and anxiety. The steam of the hot water opens stuffy nasal passages, helping people with sinus problems breathe easier. It can relieve mild wheezing in asthma patients.
After vigorous athletics or physical labor in the workplace, people appreciate the hot swirling water bringing relief to aching muscles and joints. It is helpful for easing symptoms of many health disorders that cause chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Because of increased blood flow to the muscles, painful spasms are relieved. Thus, a hot tub is a true form of hydrotherapy.
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