We can all agree that this school year looks different than any of us expected, whether your student is learning in-person, virtually, in a hybrid program, or homeschooling. And, things we never thought would be associated with schooling are now the buzzwords of this decade – masks, social distance, quarantine. We are all learning what it means to find healthy rhythms in the midst of disruption. Stress is multi-faceted, and is experienced emotionally, physically, mentally, and sometimes, all at once. It disrupts sleep, confidence, and our immune system- all things a student really needs for success. The good news is that we can help, because hot tubs relieve stress!
Hot Tubs and the Nervous System
Warm water immersion does wonders for our bodies. Dr. Bruce Becker, a research professor at the University of Washington, found that soaking in a temperature-constant hot tub has the ability to balance out our nervous system. The nervous system is made up of two parts: sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic system throws a party under stress, only not the fun kind. It’s a smoke signal that tells our body to fight or flight, and to do it NOW. The parasympathetic however, tells us “there is nothing to see here folks”, inhibiting the body from overreacting to the stressors at hand and reinstating the calm. When these two come into balance, it ushers in that moment when worries seem to melt away.
The Hot Tub Remedy for Stress
The buoyancy of the water relieves all the strain on your muscles and joints. The hydrotherapy jets provide an incredibly relaxing and tension reducing massage. The warm water elevates body temperature and causes the release of endorphins. All these benefits harmoniously join together in lifting the load of stress, like a dear friend who looks you in the eye and says “it’s all going to be okay.”
Hot tubs tend to be synonymous with luxury. Perceived as an unnecessary, albeit fabulous purchase, the benefits of a hot tub often end at “fun.” However, what if they are more than a magnet for social gatherings? What if the investment is less about a “cool toy” and more about the health benefits that students, and frankly all people, so desperately need?
A Stress-reducing Oasis
Imagine this: Your student comes home from a long day of school and an even longer evening of studying. Completely maxed out, their nervous system in total overload. You lift the hot tub cover for them and check that the water is a warm 102 degrees. Next, you put on some music to play in the background. Add the calming blue LED lights, and let the hydrotherapy jets work their magic. Twenty minutes go by, and they are completely relaxed. Their muscle tension is relieved, and they are ready for a good night’s sleep. The best part is, they can come and do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
You can’t rid your life or your children’s lives of all the stressors, but what you can do is powerful. You can give them a space where they can walk in feeling overwhelmed, and walk away feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on another day! At Energy Center-Manhattan Pool, we are ready to show you our Hot Spring® Spas line, and help you create a getaway for your students. Let’s make this school year a peaceful one by getting you into a stress-relieving hot tub. Come Find Your Gathering Place.
