Why do I sleep better after a soak in the hot tub?

Many people struggle to wind down completely at the end of the day, in order to get a complete and restful night of sleep.

In fact, in his groundbreaking book, Undoing Perpetual Stress, Dr. Richard O’Connor makes a solid case that the human brain and nervous system just cannot process the constant stress that most Americans absorb every day. He laments that the health-care establishment hasn’t been able to adequately help patients with sleeping problems. And, our sleep problems are being compounded, too, by the light-emitting iPads, iphones and televisions we think we’re relaxing with at night and even in bed. As a result, 132 million Americans have trouble sleeping at least one night each week[1] and the sleep aid industry earned $34 billion dollars in 2014 (a 50% increase from 2008’s $23 billion dollars.)[1]

Fortunately, we have good news. If you’re considering getting a hot tub to help you relax and even sleep, the science stands behind you. A warm soak in the hot tub can improve circulation which can help sleep.

Warm water raises our body temperature, which in turn dilates the blood vessels, improving circulation. Oxygen rich blood flow to the organs and extremities helps every part of you feel better because cell growth proceeds more efficiently.

Improved circulation helps you sleep because it fuels “the relaxation response.” With cells and organs properly nourished with oxygen and nutrients and the heart beating in a steady, reliable way: Breathing rate slows, relaxing you naturally, the production of stress hormones decreases, and muscles relax.

All of these physiological changes can promote better sleep.

Sleep specialists push insomniacs to develop a night-time, wind-down routine involving darkness to work with our natural brain wiring. For decades, these hard working researchers have known and broadcast the fact that light affects the brain, sleep patterns and mood. Their (and the insomniac’s) biggest enemy now is artificial light, delivered after sundown. So to get your best sleep, put the device down and get into your hot tub. Turn the lights down or off. Listen to relaxing music. Take a friend or loved one with you for light, pleasant conversation. Alone time is a great strategy to wind down. Make this a nightly ritual, and sleep like a baby.

[1] Mackay, Maureen. “Sleepless in America.”  www.thefiscaltimes.com

Why do I sleep better after a soak in the hot tub?

Many people struggle to wind down completely at the end of the day, in order to get a complete and restful night of sleep.

In fact, in his groundbreaking book, Undoing Perpetual Stress, Dr. Richard O’Connor makes a solid case that the human brain and nervous system just cannot process the constant stress that most Americans absorb every day. He laments that the health-care establishment hasn’t been able to adequately help patients with sleeping problems. And, our sleep problems are being compounded, too, by the light-emitting iPads, iphones and televisions we think we’re relaxing with at night and even in bed. As a result, 132 million Americans have trouble sleeping at least one night each week[1] and the sleep aid industry earned $34 billion dollars in 2014 (a 50% increase from 2008’s $23 billion dollars.)[1]

Fortunately, we have good news. If you’re considering getting a hot tub to help you relax and even sleep, the science stands behind you. A warm soak in the hot tub can improve circulation which can help sleep.

Warm water raises our body temperature, which in turn dilates the blood vessels, improving circulation. Oxygen rich blood flow to the organs and extremities helps every part of you feel better because cell growth proceeds more efficiently.

Improved circulation helps you sleep because it fuels “the relaxation response.” With cells and organs properly nourished with oxygen and nutrients and the heart beating in a steady, reliable way: Breathing rate slows, relaxing you naturally, the production of stress hormones decreases, and muscles relax.

All of these physiological changes can promote better sleep.

Sleep specialists push insomniacs to develop a night-time, wind-down routine involving darkness to work with our natural brain wiring. For decades, these hard working researchers have known and broadcast the fact that light affects the brain, sleep patterns and mood. Their (and the insomniac’s) biggest enemy now is artificial light, delivered after sundown. So to get your best sleep, put the device down and get into your hot tub. Turn the lights down or off. Listen to relaxing music. Take a friend or loved one with you for light, pleasant conversation. Alone time is a great strategy to wind down. Make this a nightly ritual, and sleep like a baby.

[1] Mackay, Maureen. “Sleepless in America.”  www.thefiscaltimes.com

It’s Friday night. You promised that special someone a romantic date night but you’ve just sat in an hour of traffic and your back hurts. Getting gussied up to go out is the last thing you want to do. So skip the dinner and movie and head back to your Hot Spring hot tub for an ultra-romantic and relaxing date night that’s sure to make your loved one feel special. You could make a custom invitation and line the path to the hot tub with rose petals, or you could just keep it simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Food and Drinks – Love is in the air so crack open a bottle of your favorite sparkly beverage to kick off the night. Drinks are great but they’re even better when accompanied by some light refreshments. No need to overthink it – you can pick up something ready-made from the grocery store deli like a meats and cheeses platter, or you can go straight for the sweet stuff, like mini cheesecakes or brownies. But if you’re really feeling ambitious, you can prepare something a little more exotic, like Cooked Oysters with Burnt Butter.
• Music – Nothing sets the mood like a great soundtrack to your evening so be sure to get the tunes going. Pick out a curated playlist from one of the many stations on Slacker Radio (link to slacker.com) or create your own custom playlist on Spotify (link to Spotify.com). Use this opportunity to create the ultimate Romance playlist to let your partner know how you really feel. Whether you prefer Barry White, Jimmy Buffet, or Journey, make sure to set the right tone of the night with some serious love ballads.
• Lighting – If music sets the mood, lighting creates the atmosphere. Turn down the lights and create a romantic setting by using mood lighting. You can use dimly-lit paper lanterns, tea light candles, or, flameless candles.

Now that you’ve got everything set up, it’s time to reconnect with that special person. Talk about the week, the moon, the future – the sky’s the limit and there are no distractions tonight. It’s just you, your loved one, and your Hot Sprint hot tub. Enjoy the moment!

Take Your Relaxation to a Whole New Level.

Taking time to relax and destress is an important element of maintaining a balanced life. Being immersed in warm water has been proven to help you relax both physically and mentally, and even helps your body turn down the “fight or flight” response we have to stress. Like hot tubbing, meditation is another tool that can help promote mental health and wellbeing. And, a hot tub can provide the perfect environment to practice your meditation skills.

Consider using your hot tub time to practice regular meditation to really capitalize on your “me time.” Read on to better understand the value of meditation, and how it

The Art of Meditation

Meditation techniques are a great tool to help you relax. Studies have shown that meditation can help reduce stress, lower your heart rate, lessen anxiety, and increase feelings of wellbeing.

However, those skilled in the art of meditation might argue that these benefits are not the true goal of meditation. They would offer that the true goal of meditation is to help the mind detach from things that are outside of its control.

What is Meditation?

The word ‘meditation’ is equivalent to a word like ‘sports.’ “It’s a family of activity, not a single thing,” Dr. Richard J. Davidson, University of Wisconsin neuroscience lab director, told the New York Times.

The techniques for relaxation through meditation are vast, but they all share a common goal – reaching a tranquil state of being. Meditation comes in a variety of forms, like concentration meditation, mindfulness meditation, and tai chi, but we will keep it simple by sticking to some basic descriptions and core techniques.

When you think of meditation, think of it as a way to focus your mind and separate from the mental distractions of the day. For example, the commute home can be replete with distractions, like thinking about what’s for dinner or worrying about a project at work. Amit Sood, author of The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living, describes this state of mind as ‘autopilot daze’ and refers to it as our ‘default mode,’ where we spend about half our time. In it, he says, we’re typically unhappy. Spending too much time in this “daze” can lead to increased risk of depression, anxiety, and attention deficit.

In the driving-home scenario, imagine police car lights show up in your rear view mirror. Now you’re in ‘focus mode.’ Your thoughts shift to the present.  All your distractions are replaced by a clear, single-mindedness. You check your speed, concentrate on the road ahead, and so on. You’re in the moment.

Meditation, Sood told the U.S. News and World Report, is essentially that process of cutting through the brain’s static and finding focus.

Meditating in your hot tub

Can you meditate in your Hot Springs Spas hot tub? Of course! One of the key elements to successful meditation is getting as comfortable as possible. Basking in the warmth of your spa can be an ideal way to relax and achieve a perfect state of comfort.

Is meditation hard to learn?

Like most things in life, meditation takes practice. Check out these basic tips to help you get started:

• Practice meditating for just two minutes at first. As you feel more comfortable, increase your meditation time little by little.
• Plan to meditate at the same time every day. Schedule a 20-minute renewal soak in your hot tub every day. This soak can relax your body while you focus on relaxing your mind.
• As you begin, focus on resting with complete stillness, mindfulness, and awareness.
• Make comfort your priority. Pick your favorite seat in the hot tub. Remove any distractions, including the hot tub jets. You can easily turn them off and soak quietly.
• Relax completely. Let your eyes close. Breathe normally through your nose, taking deep breaths as needed.
• Turn away from the outside world and bring your attention inward. Focus on your breathing. Feel each inhalation and exhalation. Push all thoughts out of your mind and focus completely on the act of breathing.
• Bring your focus inward and you try to achieve true stillness. As you practice more and more, you will find stillness is easier to accomplish.
• Don’t be hard on yourself if your thoughts wander (and they will). You’ll get better at it with practice.

Achieving true silence in your mind is the most difficult part, as it is contrary to our mental nature. Keep practicing, as each effort is a great stress reducer!

Your thoughts

Are you a fan of meditation? Have you ever practiced meditating in your Hot Springs Spas hot tub? If you try daily hot tub meditation now, we would love to know how it has worked for you! Have you noticed a decrease in your daily stress?

Interested in more information on meditation? Take a look at these links:

http://www.summum.us/meditation/simple.shtml

http://zenhabits.net/meditation-guide/