How Hot Tubs Help Reduce Anxiety & Stress

There’s no shortage of reasons to feel tense in today’s society, whether from work pressures, current events, or the constant flow of digital notifications. It’s not unusual to feel anxious or stressed out sometimes, and many of us go through it every week. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to counterbalance these stressors, one of the most effective being by relaxing in a hot tub. Your spa is more than just a high-end appliance for your home – it’s actually a therapeutic tool with scientifically proven benefits for anxiety treatment.

But don’t just take our word for it – keep reading to learn exactly how hot tubs are highly effective at reducing anxiety and stress.

The Physically-Calming Effects of Warm Water

Taking a soak in warm water does a lot more than you might think. From the moment you dip beneath the surface, your body starts to positively respond and react in several areas:

Nervous System

Your Sundance Spas water temperature will typically be between 100°F and 104°F (37°C to 40°C), which will instantly trigger a response from your parasympathetic nervous system. This part of your nervous system is responsible for your “rest and digest” functions and when activated, it will promote relaxation, lower your heart rate, and reduce stress hormones such as cortisol.

Warm water also encourages the production of endorphins, also known as your body’s “natural painkillers.” Endorphins will help promote a sense of well-being, reduce pain reception, and promote overall happiness and relaxation. When combined with the soothing effects of warm water, these can drastically reduce your tension and help with anxiety treatment.

Blood Circulation

As your body adjusts to warmer water, your blood vessels will begin to dilate, promoting better blood flow throughout your body. This improved circulation will deliver nutrients and oxygen to vital organs and tissues, especially the brain. Overall, this will calm your body, reducing the feelings of stress that can accompany anxiety and nervousness.

The buoyancy of water will also relieve pressure on joints and muscles, reducing the physical tension and muscle tightness that can accompany stress and anxiety.

Hydrotherapy for Stress Relief

The therapeutic use of water for healing and relaxation has been practiced for thousands of years across the world, providing a variety of benefits for body, mind, and anxiety treatment:

Muscle Relaxation

Stress can manifest itself through muscle tightness, body aches, and other physical symptoms. Fortunately, the gentle pressure of hydrotherapeutic jets is the ideal way to alleviate them, massaging key areas like the neck, back, and shoulders where tension is commonly stored. Jets will also promote muscle relaxation, soothing your sore muscles, easing your joint pain, and promoting overall tension relief throughout the body.

Hydromassage

Most spas come equipped with massage jets, providing a targeted high-flow, low-pressure hydrotherapy experience. This will not only reduce muscle tension but also promote the release of dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter that is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure. The more dopamine released, the more pleasure you will feel, and the better your relaxation experience will become.

The rhythmic motion of hydrotherapeutic jets can also have a calming effect on the mind, similar to the effects of a typical massage. This will help reduce levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, and help promote relaxation while improving your overall mood.

Psychological Benefits of Hot Tubs

Your hot tub provides a quiet, private space to focus on the present, decompress, and clear the mind. This can be essential in altering your mood, assisting in anxiety treatment, and promoting positive thinking.

Mindfulness

By definition, mindfulness refers to the practice of being aware of your current thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment or interpretation. What better place to do that than in the comfort of your own backyard, fully immersed in a blanket of warm water?

From the moment you step foot in your hot tub, you are immersed in a calming, soothing environment that allows you to fully focus on the present moment. The rhythmic sound of the jets, paired with bubbling warm water will make it easier to clear your mind and escape from any stressors. By focusing on the sounds around you, your breathing, and the sensation of warm water, you will be able to more easily calm your mind and find a peaceful mental state.

Disconnecting from Technology

Although many of today’s hot tubs are quite technologically advanced, they also offer the ideal opportunity to disconnect from technology, more specifically your smartphone. Constant connectivity and information overload are major contributors to anxiety and stress within today’s society, and temporarily distancing yourself from them is the ideal way to clear your mind and find inner tranquility.

Taking a break from technology can also help your brain reset, allowing you to return to work or other responsibilities with a clearer, calmer mindset. This can boost your productivity and help your work feel less stressful.

Come in and see us at any of our 6 locations (Burlington, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oakville, St. Catharines & Vaughan) to find out more about how a Sundance Spa can help reduce anxiety & Stress and ignite your wellness journey.