Stressed? Tired? Cranky? Aching Muscles? You Need a Long Soak in a Warm Spa! 10 Reasons You Should be Kicking Back and Enjoying The Health Benefits of Spas in 2020
Spa? Spa! Spaaaaaaaah! Even hearing the word “spa” conjures visions of contentedly relaxing in foamy bubbles, maybe with a glass of something chilled in hand. And, relaxing isn’t the only great health benefit you can get when you enjoy a soak in a spa, check out the below list to find 10 amazing health benefits of spas.
1 – Spas Help You De-Stress
Relaxing in a spa is the perfect way to unwind and de-stress. Not only does soaking in hot, bubbly water relax your muscles, it also relaxes your mind and can improve your mental well-being. Treating yourself to a spa can be a great way to combat mild anxiety as, thanks to the relaxation, stress relief, and the heat, spas can help you feel calmer. Of course, it’ll take more than a spa to get rid of anxiety completely, but enjoying a regular soak in a warm spa is a great way to start looking after your mental wellbeing by taking some time out to relax. Sitting in warm, bubbling water is very soothing to the soul, as well as soothing the tight neck and shoulder muscles that can be caused by stress.
2 – Spas Help You Sleep
As well as helping you to relax, a spa before bedtime can help you sleep. Hot water promotes mental and physical relaxation which helps you sleep, unwinding tense muscles that can keep you awake. When you immerse your tense body in a warm spa, the heat raises your body temperature and relaxes your muscles. Many people suffering from insomnia have noticed improved sleep after regularly using a spa before bedtime, thanks to the effects of increased body temperature, improved blood flow and enhanced relaxation. So to help get ready for a good night’s sleep, set aside some down time and chill out in the warm water of a spa. Just make sure you wait till you’re out of the water to nod off!
3 – Improve your mood
Taking some time out for yourself is incredibly important. As mentioned in points 1 and 2, spas encourage relaxation and improve sleep which in turn lead to a better mood. It’s pretty hard to be cranky when you’re floating in warm, bubbly water!
4 – Soothe Aching Muscles
Hot water in general helps relax your body which can reduce the aches and pains associated with injuries like a pulled or overworked muscle. If you’re suffering from sore and aching muscles, a good soak will probably help you feel better. Add the benefits of bubbles and the high-pressure massage offered by the jets in a spa and you have a perfect way to naturally treat muscle pain.
5 – Spa Help You Detox
The warm water in spas opens up your pores and helps your body to detox. By opening your pores, you help to flush out the various dirt and toxins from your skin and the result is a refreshed feeling with potentially clearer skin.
6 – Spas Can Help Reduce Headaches
Spas encourage blood vessels to dilate and muscles to relax. By dilating the blood vessels, a soak in a spa can decrease pressure in your head which helps to get rid of or minimise headaches while general relaxation and warmth continue the process. If you suffer from headaches caused by sinus,stress or tight muscles then a regular warm spa bath may help.
7 – Spas Can Reduce the Pain of Arthritis
The heat from a warm spa improves blood flow and helps to relax the tissues around arthritic joints, which can reduce stiffness and inflammation and enable gentle stretching in a non-weight-bearing environment. For those with arthritis, spending time in the spa will typically provide some much-needed relief which is why hydrotherapy is so popular to treat this chronic condition.
8 – Spas Can Lower Blood Sugar
One of the most surprising health benefits of spas, is that initial research indicates that spending time in the spa may actually lower the blood sugar level of people suffering from type 2 diabetes. While further studies are still recommended, in one study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, research subjects with type 2 diabetes spent 30 minutes, six days per week for three weeks submerged in a spa up to the shoulder. By the end of the three weeks, the subjects saw an average drop in blood glucose levels from 182 mg/dl to 159 mg/dl. The thinking from the research scientists behind this study is that the hot temperatures in the spa simulate some of the effects of physical exercise – which has proven to be an effective form of treatment for those living with type 2 diabetes.
9 – Skin Loves Spas!
One of the little known health benefits of spas is that some of the effects of using the spa have a direct influence on the health and appearance of your skin. Stress and anxiety. AND, when you’re experiencing increased circulation in the spa, that means your blood is more efficiently delivering vital oxygen and nutrients to your skin – giving you a healthy, radiant glow.
10 – Helps Relieve Congestion
Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open the nasal passages and get relief from the symptoms of sinus pain caused by congestion. While naturally inhaling steam won’t cure an infection, like a cold or the flu, it may help make you feel a lot better while your body fights it off and will help you breathe easier.
And finally, just a reminder that before starting a spa regime, best to check with a doctor if you have any health concerns.