Hot Tub Bliss

Sound too good to be true?

Normally you wouldn’t think that soaking in a hot tub and coffee go together.  The tub relaxes you and the caffeine gets you going.  However, if you jump in your hot tub for a short time-say 10 minutes, you’ll find that you’re revved up and ready to go. If you sometimes suffer from stress headaches and ibuprofen is your pain reliever of choice, you’ll be interested in research from the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.

We all know that soaking in a hot tub can help relieve tension and the kind of stress that causes headaches.  Also, a combination of caffeine and ibuprofen appears to bring faster and longer lasting relief from tension headaches than either substance taken alone. And, while it’s well known that caffeine helps pain relievers work better, this is the first clinical study to show that caffeine alone can work as an analgesic.

Researchers gave volunteers either ibuprofen, ibuprofen and caffeine, or a dummy pill.  In the first hour and a half, the group taking caffeine alone had just as much pain relief as the ibuprofen/caffeine group indicating initially that caffeine was responsible for the actual analgesic effect.

A number of pain medication contain caffeine, but for now no manufacturer makes an ibuprofen/caffeine combination. It seems that you can get the same effect by taking ibuprofen with a cup of coffee or two.

More research is needed on the ibuprofen/caffeine pain relief connection.  We do know that  even faster, more effective tension relief can result if you hop in the hot tub after taking ibuprofen with a cup of coffee.  Soaking speeds up your circulation and makes both substances work more quickly on your headache!  Many of our customers have told us that this is a sure cure for a tension headache.

After New Year’s Eve, you may have wondered about hangover headache relief…yes, hot tub soaking “the morning after” speeds recovery.

Sanum per aqua-Latin for Health through water.

Here are 5 ways to create the perfect hot tub environment! The right temperature, mood, company, refreshments and moderation will increase your enjoyment.
1. Temperature- The optimum temperature for getting the most out of your backyard vacation is between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.  You can experiment within this range of temperatures to find the perfect setting for the most enjoyable hot tub experience. My husband and I find that our hot tub temperature varies with the outside temperature. The colder it is, the hotter we like it. In the summer we turn it down.  An old teacher of mine said that “consciousness loves contrast”.  And that is certainly true of our hot tub temperature.

2. Mood- The hot tub is best enjoyed coming home after a hard day at work or right before bed. We turn off the lights and simply gaze up at the stars-trying to decide which is a star and which is a planet. We light some candles, too, and place them around the hot tub to provide a romantic ambiance for our rooftop escape. Adding some aromatherapy products to the soak further enhances relaxation. Just make sure though that the product is specifically made for use in hot tubs. Go to our estore for the absolute best aromatherapy products “Being” which are especially formulated for hot tubs. Being isn’t greasy, won’t screw up your water chemistry AND the scents are heavenly.  Being scents include: Enlighten with Lemon, Cypress, and Basil;  Reflect with Lavender and Geranium; Uplift with Green Tea, Ginger and Lime; Awaken with Tangerine and Grapefruit; and, Release with Chamomile and Clary Sage.  Order today from our E-Store: http://www.olympichottubestore.com/spascents.html

3. Company- What would be the essence of a hot tub experience if there is no one to share it with? The soothing warmth of the water is best enjoyed in the company of a special someone and makes the setting an ideal opportunity for quiet conversation.  My husband and I never run out of things to talk about in the hot tub and it’s so relaxing that any potential disagreements get melted away before they bloom into an argument.

4. Refreshments- It is important to stay hydrated during the soak, but please no alcohol. It can create some adverse health risks. Many people do use alcohol when they first get a new tub. But the next day they feel so awful if they over imbibe, that they’re cured from every drinking in the tub again. The Hot Tub plunge for relaxation and detoxification, so try just plain water.  We like icy cold San Pellegrino.

5. Moderation- Medical Studies have shown that over-exposure to excess heat is dangerous to one’s body, so don’t risk it. A moderate soak in a hot tub is advised, but limit immersion time to twenty minutes or so. One can always come back for more anyway. The benefits of improved circulation, cardiac output and purifying your body toxins make it so worthwhile.  I had a nasy fall last Monday which was quite painful. I stayed in bed all day Tuesday except for 3 trips to the hot tub for 20 minutes each time.  The result: pain greatly diminished and I could walk without wincing! Talk about a miracle cure!

With that said, forget that pending resort and spa membership or that long desired expensive trip to Paris this year and enjoy a vacation instead right in the backyard everyday!
Create your own backyard sanctuary now by installing a hot tub which will give you years of enjoyment with family and friends.

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

I’m grateful to fellow blogger Tara Dharma of Santa Cruz, California for this great idea:

“I think President Obama, in his first official act, should provide funding for every single family in the USA to have a hot tub if they want it. It would go a long way to promote health, well-being, and a significant reduction in crime. You heard it here first.” http://taradharma.blogspot.com/2008/12/hot-tub-in-every-home.html

Thank you, Tara Dharma, you said it first. Think of the health benefits. National spending for health care would drop. Families would talk to each other again. People would feel better. The list goes on. The possibilities are endless.

Send this post to friends. Let’s see how far it goes!

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

As soon as the weather gets chilly, most people in Japan turn to thoughts of yu (湯, hot water). The saying “yu ga ichiban no kusuri” “hot water is the best medicine is a popular maxim in Japan where hot springs have warmed people for centuries. Many people in rural areas remember the slogan “nihonjin niwa ofuroga aru” which translates to “when all else fails the Japanese will still have their baths”. For hundreds of years and way into the 20th century, rural Japanese never got a lot to eat, but in the darkest times a soak was always possible. To this day, in many reigons people will say “itadakimasu” (the salutary phrase that precedes a meal-like Julia Child saying “Bon Appetit” before a meal) before taking a bath, especially when they’re about to do so in the home of a friend or relative. As for immersing oneself in an onsen (温泉, hot spa), many perceive it as a gochisō (ごちそう, repast) and will often say that a good onsen session is equivalent to a full meal.

There’s nothing like yu (hot water) to combat the blues and keep the body warm and supple. It’s a daily custom whose pleasure never dims with time. But after learning about yu and the concept of considering hot water bathing as a full meal, I’m adding weight loss to my thoughts about hot tubbing! Thinking of hot tubbing as the equivalent of a full meal is a great way to avoid calorie overload during the holidays. Soak before supper! I guarantee you’ll eat less. Happy Thanksgiving!

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

Ready for a short lesson in human physiology?

As you immerse yourself in a hot tub, your body’s first reaction is to try and stabilize your temperature by pumping the heart faster to bring additional blood to the surface where it would normally disperse heat into the air. This increased blood flow means an increased supply of oxygen, antibodies and white blood cells pumping through your body; all important to promoting revitalization of the cells. This initial reaction causes an increase in blood pressure, but because the warmth quickly causes the blood vessels to dilate or expand, the resistance on the heart is lessened. This means a soak in hot water will actually lower blood pressure!

The blood warmed in the vessels at your skin’s surface is pumped from there back into your body where it begins to heat your organs and deep muscle tissue where the same healthy vessel dilation occurs leaving the muscles more relaxed. The longer your spend immersed in hot water, the more times the warm, healing blood can cycle through your body. Studies have shown that in a spa maintained at 104 degrees the core body temperature can rise to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 20 minutes. This means a healthy increase in heart rate with a decrease in blood pressure that reduces strain on other vital organs. It’s no wonder that at the reputable Mayo Clinic, hot water hydrotherapy is used to improve cardio-health. Be sure to include your doctor in the decision to undergo any hot water treatments. And, be sure to monitor how you’re feeling and get out of the tub if you feel light headed, overheated or dizzy. A 20 minute soak is enough to induce real therapeutic benefits in a 104 degree spa.

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

Dr. Jules Pretty, at the Center for Environment and Society in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Universitty of Essex, in England makes a strong case for “being in nature”. “Irrespective of where we come from in the world, it seems that the presence of living things makes us feel good. There are three levels of engagement with nature.

*The first is viewing nature, as through a window, or in a book, on television or in a painting.

*The second is being in the presence of nearby nature, which is incidential to some other activity, such as walking or cycling to work, or reading on a garden seat, and (we’ve added this one) soaking in a hot tub outdoors.

*The third level is active participation and involvement with nature, such as gardening, hiking or running.

There is now strong evidence that all these levels deliver mental health benefits. The levels with the most involvement deliver the most benefits.

A recent survey of our Hot Spring Spa owners echoed Dr. Pretty’s research most strongly in regards to his second point of engagement with nature. All of the Hot Spring Spa owners surveyed reported immense pleasue, increased mental relaxation and peace of mind from soaking in their hot tubs outside. They all said that being in the presence of nature was the “frosting on the cake”, the “cherry on the sundae” that capped the experience and took it from the mundane to the sublime. It was the reason they rarely mised a night’s soaking. It was the reason why their own yards gained a bigger place in their lives. Outside soaking opened up a new appreciation of the previously unseen natural world. People mentioned owls, squirrels, racoons, the wind, stars, the trees and far vistas. So in addition to the great physiological benefits, the mental/spiritual benefits were the most deeply moving.

From my own experience, I, too, have been profoundly moved by soaking in my roof top Hot Spring while viewing the stars and satellites (!), feeling the wind and the rain on my face and just letting go of all daily cares and worries. Plus I get my best ideas in the hot tub!

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business.

Dealing with stress-or not dealing with it as the case may be is a serious issue right now. The media reports devastating news on the hour and many of us are in a state of constant mental turmoil.

Dr. Jeromone E. Garanato, Medical Director of the Coranary Care Unit of Allegheny General Hospital and author of “Living with Heart Coronary Heart Disease” has a wonderful suggestion: take a bath in the dark! I know he meant bath as in bath tub, but think of the benefits of hot tubbing in the dark. He says that hot water plus silence and no visual stimulation equals relaxation. He recommends breathing deeply and letting your mind wander to pleasant thoughts.

Most hot tubbing is at done at night. Being in the dark in the natural world adds a deeper level of relaxation than ordinary bath tub soaking. Hopefully you’ll have a Hot Spring Spa, the ONLY hot tub with no noise operation. Only with a Hot Spring will you experience complete silence even while the tub is filtering and heating. After you’ve let the jets have their way with your stiff neck and shoulders, turn them off. Close your eyes. Let the utter stillness and hot water rejuvenate you. A deep sense of gratitude will be your only thought. “It can’t get any better than this.”

Res est severa voluptas.- Pleasure is a serious business.

There is actually scientific proof that soaking in hot water is not only good for you, but chemically linked to “feeling good!” Numerous studies have proven that soaking in hot, bubbly water simulates the release of endogenous opioid peptides which we know by the shor name: endorphins, which are the body’s natural “feel good” chemical. An increase in endorphins can strengthen the imune system, improve sleep, prevent headaches and energize the body. It’s no wonder that in North American, Japan and Europe, hot water therapy comes so well recommended for self-care by naturopathic doctors. In addition to all the physical benefits, you may find that hot water enhances your sense of well being, lifts your spirits and leaves you feeling refreshed and naturally rejuvenated.

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

A recent fall while hiking had me search for the answer to this question. Here’s the answer: both, in time!

Cold decreases blood flow, lessens inflamation, and blocks pain by numbing. Heat increases blood flow, increases elasticity of tissue, decreases stiffness, relaxes muscles and promotes healing.

When injuries are new, and there is swelling present, immediate use of ice is the best choice. Ice is effective in reducing bruising, reducing pain and swelling and should be used for the first 48-72 hours or until the swelling has gone away.

What about heat? Heat can reduce muscle spasms, improve joint stiffness and make soft tissue more limber. Moist heat is more effective than dry heat, as it penetrates deeper for muscles, joints and soft tissue. Hot tubs are ideal for this second stage of healing. The constant temperature and jets act to promote the quickest healing.

Take a tip from Willie McGinest-the NFL’s most senior linebacker. After 15 years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, McGinest has become a master at surviving training camp. Early in his career, he says, he reached a peak in his training during the offseason and would arrive at camp worn out. He’s learned to pace himself through training.

“The biggest reason he’s lasted 15 years is he’s a tremendous athlete,” says Brown’s Coach Romeo Crennel in an interview in USA Today. Crennel also coached McGinest as the New England defensive coordinator. “But he has seen a little bit of everything. He understands what it takes to play this game, how to prepare, how to manage himself. And he knows his body.”

McGinest’s other keys for surviving camp:

•Recovery: “I’ll get deep tissue massages, soak in the ice tub and the hot tub. And stretch.”

If it works for a top athlete, it’ll work for you! Don’t forget the massages.

One of our favorite hot tub scents is a dry powder of hot spring essence called: Magma Onsen Beppu.  Magma Onsen is made from the waters of the famous Umijgoku onsen (hot spring) located in Beppu, Japan. This bath salt formula is one of the most popular products in Japan.  Japanese women, and even men, rave about the product’s ability to smooth and soften the skin as well as provide a relaxing, soothing soak.  A special blend of perfumes and fragrances are added to enhance relaxation and engage the senses. It has a fresh, clean scent and contains potassium, magnesium and other volcanic minerals from the 1200 year old therapeutic hot springs in Japan. 

In Beppu, soakers use the hot springs for “medical purposes” as well as relexation.  At the famed Beppu Research Institute,  arthritis and rheumatism sufferers experience temporary relief from aching joints while soaking.  Magma Onsen helps to maintain the acid/alkaline balance of the skin with a ph of 7.5 to 8.5 while providing a deeper relaxation to over-worked, stressed, and tired muscles and joints.  It’s safe for hot tub filtration and plumbing systems and can be used in either hot tub, spa or bath tub.

Many of our customers swear that it has an analgesic effect that lasts longer and causes deeper relief than soaking in the hot tub without it.  We weren’t able to get if for almost a year and during that time a woman came into the Seattle store hoping to purchase a can.  She’d just run out and couldn’t be without it.  When she heard that we we out of stock with no current importer, she burst into tears.  Dramatic? Yes.  She said between sobs that Magma Onsen Beppu was the only  thing that helped her leg cramps.  She put some in her Hot Spring Spa once a week and soaked everynight for 100% relief from pain. 

Suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, joint pain? Magma Onsen Beppu in your hot tub is worth a try!

We’re so glad to have it on our shelves and in our e-store once again.  Order from Olympic’s e-store right now: http://www.olympichottubestore.com/maonjabapo.html