Health Benefit #9: More restful sleep
More Restful Sleep
A survey conducted by the U.S. National Sleep Foundation in 2002 suggests that lack of sound sleep is contributing to increased anger, stress, injury, obesity and other health and behavior problems. The survey indicates that as many as one in five people aren't getting either the quality or amount of sleep they need.
They're the ones most likely to experience road rage, quarrel with family and work mates or overeat. People in this army of the walking tired are more likely to sit and seethe in traffic jams, quarrel with other people, or overeat, according to the findings. The survey also found that more people than ever are taking medications to help them sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), a non-profit organization promoting sleep education, advocacy, and research, has declared National Sleep Awareness Week, coinciding with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. According to a recent poll by the NSF, approximately 132 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders more than one a night a week. This number is on the rise as evidenced by the growing number of sleep disorder centers across North America .
Sleep researchers believe that many cases of insomnia can be traced to hectic, stressful lifestyles lived by basically healthy people. The results of sleep deprivation are varied and may cause battered nerves, grogginess, lapses in memory, depression, and even erratic mood swings. Rather than reaching for over-the-counter sleeping aids, a simple solution to this dilemma may be relaxing in a hot tub before bedtime.
The Pool & Spa News magazine (July 1998) reported that a recent Gallup poll found bathing to induce sleep common among the 1,000 adults surveyed, and a Consumer Reports survey reported that readers with mild sleep disorders listed a warm bath as one of the most popular remedies.
Studies suggest that immersion in hot water (such as a hot tub which has a constant temperature) before bedtime can ease the transition into a deeper, more restful sleep. This may be due to a temperature shift since the body's core internal thermostat drops after leaving the water, which signals the body that it's time to sleep. Or, the sleep improvement may also be related to hot water's relaxing properties -- the buoyancy of water reduces body weight by approximately 90%, relieving pressure on joints and muscles creating the sensation of weightlessness. The hot, swirling water leaves you feeling both mentally and emotionally relaxed.
Soaking in a Hot tub induces sleep naturally, rather than alternative sleeping aids such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies and alcohol -- all of which can make you feel dazed and have other unfavorable side effects.
Although once symbolic of the laid-back lifestyle, the hot tub has come full circle and is now very much part of "mainstream" culture. Today there are millions of people enjoying the therapeutic benefits of hot tubbing in the privacy of their own homes. “The pace these days grow more and more hectic, with less and less time for people to unwind, relax and rejuvenate." explains Kerri Brooks-Richard (one of Artistic Groups owners. "Owning a hot tub definitely contributes to Better Living by providing a sanctuary to unwind and bring balance from the complexities and concerns of the day while reconnecting with family and friends."
In addition, many healthful benefits are derived from regular use of hot tubs. The massaging action -- creating by sending a combination of hot water and air through jet nozzles -- results in an energized stream of water that loosens knots of tension and can provide a variety of therapeutic benefits including relaxing tired and aching muscles, easing arthritis pain, improving circulation, and increasing mental acuity.
Further benefits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
