Celebrating National Hot Tub Day
Today is the day, March 28th! National Hot Tub Day is the day when you can soak, relax & unwind. Coming around yearly, today you can clear your mind and recharge in your hot tub. Although today isn’t an official holiday it’s a good opportunity to enjoy the benefits of your tub without feeling judged. In this read, we’re going to look at some of the history of hot tubs and the benefits they bring to everyday life. After all, when you have a hot tub every day can feel like a vacation in your own home or garden. #everydaycation
The History of Hot Tubs
As early as 552 AD, people in Japan used hot springs to bathe. The water was heated by the magma found in a nearby volcano. Locals believed that bathing in the warm water could purify the body and bring good luck.
Spas were also a big element in Rome. The Romans had many common leisure facilities, ranging from massage parlors and spas to giant sports stadiums. They also used hot water spas for health and built spas to aid in the rehabilitation of infantrymen and soldiers who were injured in war. They called these spas ‘sanus per aquam’ meaning ‘health through water’. This carries down to the current use of the word ‘sauna’ and the health benefits they provide today.
Home spas, now referred to as hot tubs, then boomed in popularity in the late 50’s. This was primarily in California, and they were constructed from old wine barrels and unused redwood. These were then commonly seen through the sixties. Although this was the popularisation of the idea of the home spa, we didn’t see the current and contemporary version of a hot tub until 20 years later in the late 70’s. This is when fiberglass shells were introduced. This helped keep the water in and help the home spa last longer.
The Birth Of The Hot Tub Industry
The first commercial hot tub was created shortly after this by Roy Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi family name has been synonymous with hot tubs and industry ever since. The idea for this self-contained system comprising of jets, filters, and pumps was initially conceived a few decades earlier. Candido Jacuzzi was an aircraft engineer and an Italian immigrant. He developed a whirlpool bath for his son Ken, who had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
It wasn’t until the early 2000s that people started to discover the health benefits of hot tubs in addition to being used for social gatherings and relaxation. This discovery and finding meant hot tubs could be utilized for medical purposes. We’ve listed a few of the benefits below that you can see in everyday life.
The Mental Health Benefits
Hot tubs have many health benefits and even just a 15-minute daily use can have a huge benefit on your mental and physical health. We compiled some facts in this read to help you understand some of the positive impacts that a hot tub can have on a person’s wellbeing.
Sitting in a hot tub for as little as 15 minutes per day can result in a major drop in the stress hormone cortisone. Some studies have shown that this effect can be quite drastic showing up to an 11% drop in cases. This drop in stress could be from many of the benefits a short 15-minute soak can give. It’s been noted that people will also sleep better after a 15-minute daily use of a hot tub. We all know sleep is important and a better night’s sleep can improve how you feel and tackle your day ahead.
The Physical Health Benefits
Sitting in a hot tub will actually burn calories and help with weight loss. According to a 2017 study by Dr. Faulkner, a one-hour hot tub session can burn the same number of calories as a 30-minute walk. This is mainly due to the temperature of the water which helps your body burn calories and cut fat. Although this is a great benefit of hot tubs and helps control weight, it isn’t a sufficient replacement for exercise.
Just 20 minutes immersed in hot water dilates your blood vessels and improves circulation. This helps move inflammatory substances away from the joints and muscles. This can have a massive effect on mobility as well as flexibility. Making using a hot tub a great implementation for any workout or fitness routine. Many athletes currently use both a form of hot water soaks along with an ice water plunge. Soaking in a bubbly hot tub promotes the body’s release of endorphins giving you natural pain relief. This is great for tight and sore muscles affected by strenuous excise.
Hydrotherapy within a hot tub is also recommended by Arthritis Research UK. The benefits are recognised by the Arthritis Foundation and it’s a proven way to get some temporary relief from chronic pain. View more hot tub benefits for arthritis sufferers in WhatSpa’s recent guide and Youtube Video!
Ways to Enjoy Your Hot Tub
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your hot tub today why not try some of the following things?
- Relax. If you’re feeling the stresses of life or work then sit back and unwind in your hot tub. It can do wonders for your mental wellbeing as well as your physical health. Remember to take the time to look after yourself, and today is a great excuse to do so.
- Try adding some aromatherapy scents to your tub. These can help with the above point and accompany your relaxation journey. There are plenty of options for adding supplements to the water in your spa. These can range from water conditioners to soften the water to crystals and spa bombs to add some scented enjoyment to your bathe time.
- Stretch and make the most out of the hydrotherapy jets. Many tubs have jet configurations comprised of hydrotherapy jets providing a deep tissue massage and pummeling of the muscles. There are ways to increase these benefits yourself. You can take some deep breaths, stretch your spine and lower your shoulders. This simple exercise can make quite an impact on your body and will help with mental clarity and relaxation.
- Why enjoy the day alone? Invite a small group of friends over and enjoy the day with those people you hold close. Whether it’s enjoying the day with the family or a few close friends. We all enjoy sitting back and talking with people we love. You could even watch a film while in your hot tub. Although be careful not to swallow any water if a horror film is on the agenda.
If it’s been a while since you’ve been in your tub check the FAQs below. You’ll find some quick tips on getting your hot tub back in good condition for use.
National Hot Tub Day FAQs
Why is my hot tub green?
If your water has gone green, it means you have active bacteria and algae. Firstly, do not use your spa if the water is green. Secondly, you will need to empty the tub and thoroughly clean it with a strong sanitiser such as chlorine, we would also recommend doing a full flush. Scrub all surfaces and remove any trace of the green. Fill, shock dose and away you go.
How long do you have to wait to get into your hot tub after shock-dosing it?
If you are shocking the spa with Non-Chlorine Shock then allow 10 minutes for it to all mix in and get right in. If you are using Chlorine granules, then you must wait until the Chlorine level has returned to 5 PPM which may take 24 hours.
Can I Sit in a Hot Tub For Too Long?
Yes, you can in fact spend too much time in a hot. The temperature of the water in a hot can cause dehydration, making you feel dizzy or nauseous. It’s not recommended to stay in a hot tub consistently for more than an hour, without removing yourself from the water for a period of time.