Although most people think of a hot tub as just a fun, recreational addition to their backyard, it actually offers way more than that. A soak in your hot tub can help your body relax and unwind. And those with joint or back pain can find relief while in the hot tub, and others can look forward to better sleep.
Let’s dive deeper into health and wellness hot tub benefits, as well as the added value they bring to your home.
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Health Benefits of Soaking in a Hot Tub
There has been a lot of research on the health benefits of hydrotherapy, or soaking in water for medical purposes. While you may already know that hot tub benefits include help with alleviating stress and joint pain, hot tub use also assists in other areas of your health as well.
Stress Relief & Mental Health
Nowadays, everyone is dealing with stress — according to the American Psychological Association, most people rank their stress levels as a five out of 10, and 27% reported they are so stressed they can’t do anything else.
After a long day soaking in hot water is known to help alleviate stress and anxiety. This type of heat therapy can also help reduce depression and make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Hydrotherapy is also sometimes combined with meditation and mindfulness techniques that can also improve your mental health.
And the hot tub’s jets can help massage the body and relieve any tension in the neck and other areas, helping to relieve any stress from the day.
Muscle Relaxation & Pain Relief
There is a lot of research showing how hydrotherapy can help bring relief to sore and pulled muscles, as well as stiff or painful joints.
In fact, hydrotherapy has been shown to be effective for a number of body pain-related health conditions including arthritis, chronic lower back pain, and fibromyalgia.
The buoyancy of water helps to take pressure off the body’s joints, while the warm water temperature and water jets can help reduce chronic pain and muscle tension even further.
Improved Circulation & Cardiovascular Health
Did you know that hot tub benefits may extend to your heart health? A study published in 2020 found that people who soaked in hot water every day had a lower risk for heart disease.
Research has also shown that hydrotherapy can help improve the body’s blood flow and lower blood pressure. And hydrotherapy is a great way for the body — including the heart — to recover after vigorous exercise.
Better Sleep Quality
According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than one-third of adults are not getting as much sleep as they need each night and as much as 30% of adults have insomnia.
While hot tub benefits like stress and body pain relief can obviously help you get a better night’s sleep, just soaking in hot water helps prepare the body for a deeper sleep.
And regular hot tub use may help lower the body’s levels of the steroid hormone cortisol to decrease, which in turn allows the sleep hormone melatonin to increase.
Immune System Support
Keeping your immune system healthy is key to keeping diseases at bay. When you soak in hot water, your body normally begins to sweat, which has a detoxifying effect on the body, which is helpful to your immune system.
And hydrotherapy has been shown to help boost a person’s overall immunity by improving blood circulation, raising body temperature, and relieving stress.
Well-Being & Lifestyle Benefits
As we’ve just shown, there are many health-related hot tub benefits that can help you and your family stay healthy. These hot tub benefits also extend to improving your mental state and well-being, as well as allowing you to enjoy the outdoors and company of others.
Social Connection & Bonding
Depending on the size of your hot tub, you can usually fit at least three or four people at a time, allowing for a great way to socialize while you relax.
With today’s fast-paced, screen-heavy world, your hot tub gives you a great chance to bond and share time with others without competing with screens or other distractions.
Staying socially connected and spending time with others is vital for your overall physical and mental health, and may even help you live longer, too!
Outdoor Enjoyment Year-Round
Compared to a pool, one of the biggest hot tub benefits is the ability to use your hot tub — and get outside — all season long.
Research shows that getting outside helps to reduce stress, improve your mood, and gives you exposure to sunlight that helps boost your immune system and regulate your internal sleep-wake clock. And breathing in fresh air can help improve your respiratory system.
Aromatherapy & Hydrotherapy Enhancements
In addition to the hydrotherapy provided hot water and spa jets, today’s hot tubs offer additional therapies as well.
For example, some hot tubs allow you to enjoy aromatherapy through the use of essential oils or bath salts. Some of the benefits of aromatherapy include stress relief and better sleep.
And some modern hot tubs now offer chromotherapy, or light therapy, which has also been shown to help improve a person’s mood and reduce pain.
Recreational Benefits
When discussing hot tub benefits, we can’t forget the recreational fun it provides! Not only is your hot tub great for entertaining, but also for recovery from exercise and injuries.
Fitness & Low-Impact Exercise
Hot water hydrotherapy is a great way to help loosen up tight muscles and alleviate soreness associated from a hard workout.
Hot tub hydrotherapy can help with rehabilitation from an injury as it helps reduce pain and inflammation, improves circulation through the blood vessels, helps your heart rate to come down, and lowers stress.
And your hot tub session can even be used for low-impact fitness, such as swim spas.
Entertainment & Home Luxury
Everyone loves a hot tub soak, and when you have one, it definitely ends up being a focal point for gatherings. And with the popularity of outdoor living spaces, your hot tub can be a great addition to outdoor home theater spaces and a relaxing way to socialize rather than just sitting on a patio or deck.
Property Value & Home Investment Benefits
Any time a person can list their home for sale as having a hot tub, interest in their property instantly increases. This is because homeowners and buyers are becoming more knowledgeable about hot tub benefits, and they want the opportunity to experience them for themselves.
Does a Hot Tub Add Value to Your Home?
Yes! A clean, well-maintained, and functional hot tub can be a major selling point for homebuyers.
With above-ground and portable hot tubs, many times homebuyers may assume the seller will be taking it with them. If you plan to leave the hot tub with the home, make sure to include that in your home listing!
Enhancing Backyard Aesthetics
Today’s backyards have become full outdoor living spaces with outdoor kitchens and entertainment systems. Integrating your hot tub with your backyard’s deck, pergola, or patio can make it feel like it’s another outdoor extension of your home.
Energy Efficiency & Smart Hot Tub Features
While hot tubs do take water and power to run, today’s modern hot tubs utilize the latest eco-friendly and cost-saving technologies to use as little water and energy as possible. And many of today’s hot tubs offer smart controls, which can also help with the system’s efficiency.
Hot Tub Benefits FAQs
Is it good to go in a hot tub every day?
Yes, using a hot tub daily can be beneficial—especially for relaxation, stress relief, and easing muscle tension. Just be sure to stay hydrated and limit your soak time to 15–30 minutes.
Are hot tubs good for your body?
Hot tubs can support overall wellness by improving circulation, reducing joint pain, easing muscle stiffness, and promoting better sleep. They also provide a calming space for mental relaxation.
Does a hot tub burn belly fat?
While soaking in a hot tub alone won’t directly burn belly fat, it can support your fitness goals by reducing stress (which is linked to weight gain) and helping your body recover after exercise.
Can a hot tub help muscles recover after a workout?
Absolutely. The heat and hydrotherapy from a hot tub can relax tight muscles, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow—making it easier for your body to recover after physical activity.
Will a hot tub increase my home’s resale value?
In many cases, yes. A well-maintained, professionally installed hot tub can be an attractive feature for buyers, especially in areas like DFW where outdoor living is a big plus.
Can hot tubs help with stress or anxiety?
Yes. The combination of warm water, gentle massage jets, and a peaceful environment makes hot tubs an excellent tool for managing daily stress and promoting mental wellness.
Experience All the Hot Tub Benefits for Yourself!
Hot tub benefits are much more extensive than most people realize. While they can certainly add to your property’s value and backyard fun, hot tubs also offer a vast array of health and wellness benefits for you and your loved ones.
If you’re ready to experience all of these hot tub benefits for yourself, contact JR Spas today to explore your hot tub options in our showroom and speak with one of our experts.
