Hot Tub Stress Relief – How It Works?

A complete guide about the cause of stress and different activities that you can do to reduce stress. Learn more!

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The English word disease (or, “dis-ease”) literally means “a lack of ease.” Stress is indeed a root cause of many health issues.

Whether the cause of your stress is economic, social, professional, or domestic – stress adds up over time to create health problems that can lead to death. Research reports posted by the Mayo Clinic and Stress.org testify to the myriad of ways stress harms us.

But are there ways to lower your stress with a hot tub? How exactly does hot tub stress relief work? Continue reading to see the answers to those questions and more.

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A Hot Tub is a Prescription For Stress Relief

A Hot Tub Fills The Prescription For Stress

An Ancient Remedy

Hot water therapy has been used for stress relief and overall wellness since beyond 4,000 years ago.

The ancient Greek, Roman, Japanese, and Native American cultures erected buildings on top of natural hot springs. The great philosophers of Greece including Plato, Homer, and Hippocrates believed that hot water therapy had healing qualities. In fact, the word “Spa” is an acronym of the Latin phrase “Sanus Per Aquam,” meaning “health through water.”

In ancient Persia, fire-heated water was poured into tubs chiseled out of solid granite. The early Japanese chose to construct free-standing wooden hot tubs.

Throughout history we have known “relaxing the physical, soothes the mental.”

A Modern Remedy

The benefits of hot tub therapy have now been studied and documented by medical science.

Research from Washington State University, the University of Maryland Medical Center, The National Aquatics and Sports Medicine Institute, and The American Heart Association reveals an array of positive effects on the body from hydrotherapy – even greater than can be achieved through meditation.

In many of these studies, participants’ vitals were monitored as they soaked in hot tubs set to a variety of temperatures and time limits. For those sessions specifically conducted in the optimal conditions of 102-degree water for 24 minutes, the following benefits were observed:

Decrease in Blood Pressure

Blood vessels become dilated, reducing vascular resistance, therefore reducing the workload for the heart.

Improved Cognitive Activity

Warm water increases blood flow inside the brain – increasing mental acuity, creativity, and memory.

Hormonal Adjustment

Hot tub sessions decrease damaging epinephrine and cortisol levels while increasing brain-positive serotonin and dopamine. In addition, the release of endorphins provide natural mood elevators and painkillers.

Reduced Depression

Rebalancing the mix of all those negative and positive hormones results in mood improvements.

Alleviation of PTSD Symptoms

Preliminary findings indicate that PTSD sufferers are calmer and exhibit fewer hair-trigger responses after hot tub hydrotherapy.

Improved Sleep Time & Sleep Quality

Study participants’ vitals were measured during hot tub sessions that were timed to end 90 minutes before bedtime. Before they slept, subjects were wired for EEG brain wave recordings. In each case, hot tub use later resulted in longer continuous periods of the deeper, more restful type of “slow-wave” sleep.

How Stress Affects Your Daily Life?

Tangible symptoms include weight gain or weight loss, jaw clenching, gritting teeth, sweating, dry mouth, frequent sighing, itching, fidgeting, feet-tapping, and constant fatigue.

Stress Also Damages Your Health in Ways You Don’t Expect!

The total wear and tear that accumulates throughout your body when you experience continuous stress is referred to by medical professionals as “allostatic load.” It starts when the hypothalamus in your brain forces your adrenal glands to release damaging stress hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol. All organs are then affected by these hormones.

Heart and Lungs

Breathing becomes harder and more rapid. Your strained heart rate increases and goes into palpitations. Blood vessels constrict, and your blood pressure rises – all as a result of stress. Your risk for a stroke or heart attack increases.

Brain

Stress can cause headaches, light-headedness, depression, anxiety, mood swings, angry outbursts, social withdrawal, alcohol or drug abuse, forgetfulness, poor concentration, excessive defensiveness, suspiciousness, obsessive or compulsive behavior, sleep problems, and reduced work productivity.

Digestive System

Stress can contribute to heartburn, acid reflux, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and stomachaches.

Muscular System

Under stress, you muscles tighten up and absolutely refuse to relax – causing spasms, neck, back, and shoulder pain, plus overall body aches.

Sex Organs

In men – constant stress can reduce levels of testosterone and contribute to impotence.

In women – chronic stress can reduce sexual desire, lead to more difficult periods, or magnify the symptoms of menopause.

Immune System

Continuous stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to viral illnesses and other infections.

Do Hot Tubs Help with Anxiety and Cortisol?

For those wondering, “Are hot tubs good for anxiety?” the answer lies in their ability to promote relaxation and balance stress hormones. Soaking in a hot tub can help ease the mental strain of anxiety by creating a calming environment that encourages mindfulness and physical relaxation. The warm water and massaging jets work together to relax tense muscles, which often tighten during anxious moments, helping you feel more at ease.

Scientific studies also suggest that hot tubs may lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels can exacerbate anxiety, disrupt sleep, and contribute to chronic stress symptoms. Research from institutions like the University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that hydrotherapy in warm water can reduce cortisol production while boosting feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine. By incorporating regular hot tub sessions into your routine, you may notice a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms and an overall sense of calm.

Hot tubs also support natural remedies for stress at the spa and sauna, offering a holistic approach to mental wellness. Whether you’re dealing with occasional worry or chronic anxiety, a hot tub for anxiety can be a powerful tool to complement other relaxation strategies.

Hot Tub Relaxation Techniques

Maximize your hot tub’s stress-reducing potential with targeted hot tub relaxation techniques. One effective method is hot tub meditation, where you focus on your breath and let go of racing thoughts while soaking. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and inhale deeply for a count of four, then exhale slowly. This practice, combined with the warm water’s soothing effects, can deepen your relaxation and help manage stress.

Another technique is to use your hot tub for a stress reduction spa experience. Incorporate gentle stretches to release tension in your shoulders and back, or practice guided visualization, imagining a peaceful scene like a forest or ocean. These methods enhance the hot tub’s ability to serve as a sanctuary for relaxation, making it an ideal setting for hot tubs for relaxation.

For best results, set the stage with a distraction-free environment. Dim the lights, play soft ambient sounds, and keep your phone out of reach. These hot tub relaxation techniques can transform your soak into a powerful stress-relief ritual, helping you unwind after a long day.

A Hot Tub Can Be Combined With Other Stress-Reducing Therapies

Many hot tub users amplify their sessions with additional popular techniques for alleviating stress:

Performing muscle contraction & release exercises underwater

Acupressure

Deep controlled-breathing exercises

Meditation

Shut down all distractions. Close your eyes and visualize yourself in your “happy place”, whether it’s a golf course, a tropical beach, a sailboat, or a mountain cabin.

Accessories Can Add Even Greater Stress Reduction

Additional elements can enhance the relaxation potential of your hot tub experience.

Music

Play whatever music you find most soothing. If possible, stick with instrumental choices, avoiding selections with vocal lyrics, which can be distracting. Use music from a source that does not include commercials. Take steps to ensure that your music will play continuously for 20 uninterrupted minutes without requiring you to stop, think, and click any additional buttons.

Ambient Sound Effects

Many hot tub users report that ambient sound recordings help them achieve a more relaxed meditative state than music can provide. There is a wide variety of these background sound effect selections available on the market including: rain, waterfalls, ocean waves, forest birds, and dreamlike synthesizer tones.

Soft Colored Lighting

Aromatherapy

Many studies have been conducted that demonstrate measurable effects of using scents for reduction of stress and anxiety. These aromatic elements can include minerals, herbs, botanicals, and other formulated essences.

However, many commonly available aromatherapy products on the market are oil-based – which means they will fail to mix with your spa water and simply float on the surface. In addition, their use can be potentially detrimental to the hydraulic flow components of your hot tub.

Fortunately, your dealer can guide you to a selection of scented water-based aromatherapy products that are specifically formulated for safe and enjoyable use in hot tubs.

Greenery

Research has also shown the positive effects on our mental state provided by an environment of greenery. You can accent your hot tub space as a nature refuge by surrounding it with trees, vines, bushes, and a variety of other foliage.

Hot Tub Caution

While employing a hot tub for your new practice of stress reduction, it’s also important to be aware of potential pitfalls. Media often depicts people lounging in a hot tub for hours on end with liquor in hand. But doing this can involve health risks, which you can take steps to avoid:

Limit the Water Temperature.

Excessively heating your core body temperature can lead to the health and life risks of hyperthermia. Note that most therapeutic studies have been conducted in water set to 102°F.

But remember that the absolute maximum safety limit for water is 104°F. Always ideal hot tub temperature with a thermometer before stepping in. Simply using a dip of the toe to “test” your hot tub isn’t enough.

Limit your Time Spent in the Water

Medical professionals also recommend a time limit of 20 minutes to avoid hyperthermia.

Stay Hydrated

Hot tubs make you sweat and can leave you dehydrated. In addition, drinking alcohol can further contribute to dehydration. Regardless of whatever else you may choose to imbibe, be sure to also include water or water-based beverages.

Watch for Warning Symptoms

Drowsiness

Since a hot tub is a sleep aid, be careful not to fall asleep in the water. This could lead to the health risks of prolonged heat exposure.

Lightheadedness or dizziness

Nausea

Shortness of breath

Skin redness

Heart palpitations

Can You Get a Prescription for a Hot Tub?

If you’re exploring a hot tub prescription for stress relief or other health benefits, you may be wondering how to get a prescription for a hot tub. In some cases, medical professionals may recommend hydrotherapy for conditions like chronic stress, anxiety, or muscle pain, potentially qualifying a hot tub as a medical expense. To pursue a medical prescription for a hot tub, consult your doctor to discuss your symptoms and whether hydrotherapy aligns with your treatment plan.

Your physician may provide a letter of medical necessity, which can be used to support a tax deduction or reimbursement through a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). For detailed guidance, check out our article on whether a hot tub is tax deductible. Always verify with a tax professional to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.

A prescription for a hot tub can make this natural remedy more accessible, allowing you to invest in your wellness with potential financial benefits. Contact Epic Hot Tubs for help selecting a model that meets your therapeutic needs.

Relaxing in Hot Tub — Relax in your hot tub!

The Hot Tub – A Natural Cure

People who are struggling with the many damaging symptoms of stress often desperately turn to a variety of negative options in an attempt to alleviate their suffering. Alcohol, pills, illegal drugs, smoking, nicotine gum and patches, and overeating – all fail to cure their stress symptoms. But there is a natural cure that has been with us for thousands of years. It has now been rediscovered and proven by modern science as the most effective natural remedy for the health of your body and mind.

This prescription is safe, with no side effects. It’s a simple and easy cure. Just add water.

About The Author:

Richard Horvath

Hot Tub & Spa Expert

Richard has been in the hot tub & spa industry for years. As a long hot tub & swim spa owner himself, Richard has a passion for helping homeowners create their dream backyard.

Hot Tub Stress Relief – How It Works?