Why You Sleep Better After a Soak

Have you ever wondered, “Why does a hot tub or a hot bath help me to sleep better?”

Parents all over the world give their babies and toddlers warm baths before bed in the hopes they’ll fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Adults often bathe late at night or soak in a hot tub before bed with the same ambitions.

But many don’t know why this works.

In this article, we look at why you sleep better after a soak.

Drastically Drops Body Temperature

When you have a large drop in body temperature, you get sleepy.

Naturally, your body temperature starts to lower around bedtime. But, if you soak in your hot tub about two hours before bedtime, your body temperature is elevated. This in turn causes a greater decline in body temperature when you’re actually trying to fall asleep.

As your body temperature drops more drastically than normal, you reduce your brain activity which helps you fall asleep faster.

Gives You a Workout

When you soak in a hot tub, you’re actually getting a thermal workout.

Your arteries enlarge, and this increases the blood flow which brings more oxygen to the brain.

Research has shown that soaking in a hot tub resembles other types of physical exercise in the way the body responds.

For people who have a desk job or are sedentary, a long hot tub soak a few hours before bed helps them feel tired and fall asleep faster.

Relaxes Muscles

Hot tub soaking has analgesic properties. How?

When you have pain in your muscles, this is a result of lactic acid waste build-up. The heat in the water is therapeutic for muscles and joint soreness, again making it easier to fall asleep because you are less sore.

Lessens Allergies

You’ll find that hot tub soaking opens you pores and removes toxins from your skin because the heat causes you to sweat.

Your body releases toxins including any allergens that could wake you in the night.

Reduces Anxiety

Stress is a major sleep cleaner.

Hot tub soaking can help reduce stress and anxiety by relaxing your mind and body. This makes it easier to fall asleep because your mind is clear.

If you have chronic anxiety, please consult your physician.

Clears Sinuses

A long soak in a hot tub loosens mucus in your airway and sinus cavities, and this helps you sleep better at night because your breathing is easier.

Reduces Minor Swelling and Pain

Pain and swelling can keep you up at night. This might be from exercise or overwork.

Hot water hydrotherapy can reduce your minor swelling and pain, helping you to sleep better.

Now that you have a list of the reasons why you sleep better after a soak, let’s look at the cost.

Sleep Deprivation or a Hot Tub?

A lack of consistent sleep is physically and emotionally damaging to millions of Americans every day.

The cost of sleep aids mounts, and the difficulties with getting through your day are costly.

So, ask yourself if you’d rather have sleep deprivation or a hot tub?

Final Thoughts

We leave you with some final tips on getting a better night’s sleep with or without a hot tub:

• Develop a night-time, wind-down routine.
• Listen to relaxing music before bed, not while trying to fall asleep.
• Make it dark and cool in your bedroom.
• Turn on a fan or use another form of white noise.
• Turn off your smartphone, tablets and computers at least an hour before bed. The artificial light isn’t good for your sleep patterns.

Interested in looking at your hot tub options? Contact us today!