Stress & Anxiety: Can a Hot Tub Help?

We live in a busy, demanding world. On a good day, we handle our family and work responsibilities with ease; on a bad day our lives can feel overwhelming. We don’t always know how to deal with anxiety, but if you own a hot tub, a calming soak can be a great way to start.

Stress and anxiety not only impact our mental health but also tends to sink into our physical health as well. Stress can reduce our quality of life. Anxiety affects a wide range of people and is often associated with muscle tension.

So, how can a hot tub help?

1. Hot water and massage stimulate the release of endorphins. In a hot tub you are helping your nervous system release endorphins (natural pain relievers) to feel better and naturally balance your nervous system.

2. Hot tubs provide a space of seclusion away from the stresses of everyday life. By physically removing yourself from your known stresses and taking the time to focus on your well-being, you create an environment to relax and recover.

3. When we’re stressed, typically we also struggle with sleep. Lack of sleep and chronic sleep disorders can severely impact a person’s physical health. Hot water raises body temperature, which also increases blood circulation. When you get out of a hot tub, your temperature lowers slowly, signaling the body that it’s time to sleep.

4. When stress and anxiety create physical muscle tension and pain, hot water and buoyancy make the body weightless and enables muscles to stretch and lengthen to release pain.

Your hot tub offers convenient, simple, and healthy ways to deal with the anxiety that life often presents. It’s a safe place, right outside your door. The warm water and massaging jets relax your body, while the lights, music, and water features help dissolve worries. If you use your hot tub every day, you’ll find it can be one way to deal with anxiety so that life can feel much more manageable and satisfying.

Are you or someone you love experiencing mental health challenges? Check out the Mental Health Initiative for helpful, local resources at the United Way of Northwest Vermont 

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