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!