Sitting in a hot tub for 30 minutes could be just as beneficial for health as going for a run, research from Coventry University in the UK has found.
“The healing effects of water stretch back centuries, and hot water immersion or hot water healing is practiced for spiritual, mindful and health reasons all over the world,” Dr. Tom Cullen, assistant professor of research at the Coventry Center for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, told The Sun this week.
Cullen’s team studied the mood, heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow, cortisol, thermal perception and anxiety of healthy participants between the ages of 26 and 60.
People in the study immersed themselves in a Lay-Z-Spa Majorca Hydrojet Pro, a square hot tub that fits up to six people, for three half-hour sessions over three days.
After their soak, participants saw blood flow to their legs increase by an average of 345% — about the same impact of jogging for 30 minutes, researchers said.
Participants’ heart rates after being in the hot tub matched those who had gone for a fast walk — an average of 31 beats a minute.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, the tub time reduced cortisol, the hormone that helps the body manage stress, by 22%.
And perhaps because of the drop in cortisol, 10% of the participants said they felt less anxious overall.
Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety.
“As a researcher, I am interested in exploring ways to improve people’s lives through lifestyle modifications. Many typical modifications such as exercise, dieting and quitting smoking are often difficult for many people to maintain for a variety of reasons,” Cullen said.
“Regularly using a Lay-Z-Spa, however, offers an excellent way of providing a lifestyle modification that has many health benefits, but crucially, is something which people enjoy doing.”
Dr. Mariyam Hassan Malik, who was not involved in the Coventry study, noted that hot tubs relax muscles and promote the release of endorphins that help reduce stress.
“Soaking in a hot bath before bedtime may promote better sleep as the increase in body temperature followed by a drop in temperature when you leave the bath can signal to your body that it’s time to rest, helping you fall asleep more easily,” Malik told The Sun.
“Hot water can dilate blood vessels, improving circulation. This can be particularly beneficial for people with cardiovascular issues, although it’s important to use caution and consult with a healthcare professional if you have a heart condition.”