Hot Tub Bliss

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!

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.

Today’s weather forecast of 86 degrees made me think about safe soaking tips for hot weather. If you are like most Northwesterners, you’re not accustomed to hot summer days. Follow these tips for a summer of safe soaking and relaxation in your hot tub:

· Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water before and after soaking.

· Avoid drinking alcohol before and during a soak. Alcohol is dehydrating and can cause drowsiness. Too much alcohol and you might run the risk of drowning by falling asleep and slipping in to the water.

· Cool down before you heat up. After exercising, wait until you’ve stopped sweating and your pulse returns to normal before getting into your hot tub.

· Enter and exit your hot tub slowly. Ease in gradually. Exit carefully. A sudden change in posture and temperature can cause dizziness.

· Monitor the water temperature. The maximum recommended safe temperature for a hot tub is 104°. Soaking time at this temperature should not exceed 20 minutes. For summer, try 102° or even 100° in order to feel refreshed not enervated by the heat. Kids whose sweat glands have not yet developed usually prefer lower temperatures in the summer.

· Check with your doctor if you are taking medication or have a health condition that may be affected by extreme heat.

· Never leave children alone in the tub. Always lock the cover when not in use. New Washington state Health Department regulations require a child-proof barrier for your hot tub. Covers that meet ASTM standards meet the Health Department code, but must be locked when not in use for full compliance. All of our covers meet ASTM standards which say the cover must support the weight of a young child and meet the safety performance requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards.

Safe soaking will add value to your hot tubbing experience. Enjoy the sun!

Don’t forget your sunscreen.