You may have had a long hard day at work. Perhaps you are stressed by home-schooling your children. You need to sleep but find it difficult to drift off. Instead, you stay awake watching the clock and waiting for morning. Whatever is making it difficult for you to get the sleep you need, at Goodall Pools & Spas, we have the solution for you: soaking in a spa.
Soaking in a Spa Helps You Sleep
Lack of sleep can lead to depression, have a negative effect on your job performance, and causes stress that decreases your quality of life. However, soaking in your spa prior to going to bed can lead to better sleep.
Health professionals report that “Regular soaking in a hot tub may provide several health benefits, such as muscle relaxation, pain relief, and improved sleep.” Improved sleep is promoted by the stress relief soaking in the hot water provides.
Warm water, therapeutic jets massaging your muscles, soft music, low lighting, and maybe even aromatherapy, can relax muscles, relieve pain, and reduce stress. This perfect combination will help sleep come more easily.
One study, although limited in the number of participants, found that particularly in older adults, a pre-sleep soak in a hot tub promoted deeper, more restful, sleep.
Another small study focused on those who suffer from fibromyalgia and discovered that “hydrotherapy helped improve sleep quality.” Those with pain from other causes also find that a soak in the spa relieves their pain and helps them drift off to sleep faster and have a better, more restful sleep.
Soaking in a Spa: Recommendations for a Healthy Pre-Bed Soak
There are some guidelines to follow that will make your spa soak one that will enhance your sleep:
- Plan your soak for about 60 to 90 minutes before going to bed. This allows your core body temperature to drop which is a signal to your brain that it is time to sleep.
- Soak for about 15-to 20 minutes.
- Keep water temperature between 100° and 102°. Most spas are set so the water temperature cannot go higher than 104°.
The spa should be maintained so that you can, at any moment, hop in and enjoy the soothing effect of the water. If you need assistance with a spa you already own, or are interested in installing a spa, contact us at Goodall Pools & Spa