Sleep Benefits of your Spa? Ask the “NOT “ Experts

In an effort to explore the sleep benefits of a backyard spa, I turned to my search engine and typed:

            “Science, Sleep, Hot Tub” 

While scanning page after page of scientific findings of how and why a soak may make you sleep like a baby,  my head began to spin and my restless mind wandered from my laptop, out the window, to my very own backyard spa.  That’s when I had a stroke of genius:  These experts have done a fine job of collecting and reporting data,  why not see what some “not” experts think? 

As a “not” expert on just about everything, I was prepared to do what it takes to test the science of the actual experts and bring my findings to you. But a control group of one  does not constitute a study – so I put out a plea to hot tub owners on, you guessed it,  social media! 

With a cryptic messages sure to leave my contacts wondering what the heck I was up to this time, I asked in a post, “Do you have a hot tub?”  It didn’t take long to get a bite, and another, and another.  A  group of  great people, from all walks of  life,  with a hot tub in common, took the bait.  It was then that an entire team of “not” experts  was born. 

I did not ask the brand of their spas,  the number of jets, or any technical stuff.  I just wanted to know one thing:  If you sit in your hot tub 90 minutes before you go to bed, how do you sleep? 

I felt like a real genius, making light work of the research I had originally planned, and  grabbed the husband and our teenager.  I explained that they had been added to my study and had a job to do.  They stood, half listening, as I wrote “Hot tub soak 90 minutes before bed” on our to do lists– a bullet point among the daily drudgery of household tasks. 

Get this.  Not one complaint.  That was my first win. They shrugged their shoulders, grabbed their towels, and succumbed to my demand.

I sank into the bubbles and in my mind, patted self on back for being a gosh darn genius.  It occurred to me, we weren’t staring at  screens.  We were chatting about our days, laughing, enjoying each others company while the warm water and bubbles worked their magic on our muscles and cardiovascular systems.  I made a mental note of this no screen phenomenon for a future study. 

We got out, set a timer for 90 minutes,   then [yawn] we all went to bed. A strange thing happened that night.  It worked.  We slept.  We slept well. 

I turned to my team of “not” experts who agreed to give the soak and sleep thing a try.  Here are a few of their responses: 

            “I used it after work all the time.  I slept like a baby after using it.”  – Camille Semanic

She also explained how she notices she sleeps without interruption when she uses her spa, a breakthrough for a nurse who works nights and sleeps in the day. Thanks, kiddo! (I used to babysit for her)

            “I sleep so much better after sitting in our hot tub.”  – Paige Nutt 
Thanks, Mrs. Nutt!  (I had the pleasure of working with her at school)

            “I think it actually worked.  I slept really great last night.”  -Ron Lawrence       

Thanks, hot stuff! (he’s my husband)

To be fair, I had two friends who said they didn’t notice a difference in sleep quality, mostly because they’ve never had any trouble sleeping.  BUT, not one person in my “not” expert panel said it didn’t help them sleep.  And that’s good enough for me.       

I do realize that my data may not have the sciency edge some of you crave, so I invite you to explore yourself.  This information is easily found with your search engine.  Read, then ponder  how and why an evening soak may be just what the doctor ordered to catch some ZZZZs.  

For those who don’t question why or how it works, just happy it does, I’m with you.. 

So to answer my question, does sitting in your hot tub make you sleep better?   The experts and “not” experts agree:   the relaxation from a soak in the spa before bed can carry you peacefully through the night, leaving everyone well rested and ready to tackle a hectic day.  No crabs in our hot tub, thanks to the hot tub.   Hardee har har.  I think you get my point.  But hey,  why take my word for it?  Conduct your own study.  I challenge each and every one of you to sit in your tub, then go to bed.  Please add your data in the comments, I’m on the edge of my fiberglass molded spa seat.

Until next time: work, soak ,rest well, repeat.