World Mental Health Day: Boost Your Mood with Your Spa!

With World Mental Health Day quickly approaching on October 10th, it’s important to take time to reflect on the daily activities and habits that may be helping or harming your mental wellbeing.

Now more than ever, it’s important to prioritize self care in meaningful ways so we can not only show up for others, but for ourselves too.

In this article we will be exploring the wide range of ways your hot tub can act as an easily accessible way to boost your mental wellbeing. From tension alleviation to improved rest, your spa might just be one of your best tools for boosting your mood, connections, and feelings of self love!

Relieve Anger, Anxiety, and Tension

Your spa can act as an immediate haven from the stresses of the outside world, allowing you to fully relax as you indulge in a rejuvenating massage. Outside of this instant mood boost, frequent exposure to warm water immersion can also improve cognitive outcomes over extended periods of time.

Studies suggest that bathing in hot water significantly reduces anxiety as well as feelings of tension, anger, and dejection. After just two weeks of frequent bathing in hot tub temperature water, participants reported prolonged increases in their mood, long after they had stopped their daily immersions.

Sleep Better

It’s no secret that fatigue and poor rest can negatively impact mental health. Practicing good sleep hygiene is paramount to waking up rested, rejuvenated, and in a positive headspace to take on your day. But, how can you ensure you are getting the most out of your time spent in bed?

Unwinding before rest is key to slipping into crucial REM and deep sleep cycles more quickly. Before you plan on hitting your pillow, consider immersing yourself in your spa for up to 60 minutes before bedtime.

Your hot tub will heat your core temperature and then force a cooling cycle that mimics the natural temperature fluctuations of your body, signaling to yourself that it is time for sleep. With a nightly spa visit you can significantly shorten your sleep onset latency, allowing you to drift off into a deeper sleep more quickly and wake up in a better, more positive mood.

Connect with Others

Social isolation is detrimental to more than just your mental health. When we feel disconnected from others we risk increased rates of:

• Chronic illnesses
• Dementia
• Heart disease and stroke

But, with a spa you have an easily accessible environment to connect and unwind with those closest to you. Even in periods of colder weather when the outdoors may not be as readily available for activities, you can find warmth and connection in your own backyard with the help of a hot tub!

Strengthen friendships while also improving your physical and mental health, all thanks to your spa.

Improve Symptoms of Depression

Your spa is more than just an environment for relaxation – it is a catalyst for easing and reducing symptoms of depression.

Studies have shown that twice-weekly immersion into water warmer than 40 Celcius (104 Fahrenheit)  can lead to drastic improvements in symptoms of depression – even more so than regular exercise provides. This fast-acting, safe, and easily accessible method can improve your mood in just two weeks with no negative side effects when executed safely*.

So… Now What?

As we rightfully continue to place emphasis on good mental health, it is vital to make small yet meaningful changes in our mindset and habits wherever possible.

With access to a spa you can provide yourself with a daily boost of positivity, and a haven from life’s stresses. To reap all the mental wellbeing benefits of your hot tub, consider daily immersion for up to 60 minutes, and enjoy your shift in mindspace and mood**.

*Consult your healthcare practitioner to be sure hot water immersion is right for you.

**Hot water immersion should not be considered to be a replacement for medical intervention or treatment. Consult your healthcare practitioner for mental health treatment and questions.