A Guide to Hot tubs & Meditation
Everyone loves relaxing, and relaxing in a hot tub can have numerous benefits in combating the stress of both body and mind.
It is well known that the action of soaking in warm water can reduce stress. The hot water raises your body temperature and relaxes your muscles, whilst the hot tub jets can provide a therapeutic massage. This soothing environment provides the perfect conditions to practice meditation.
Regular meditation has been proven to have a positive effect on your mental well-being, and whilst you’re in the hot tub, the aim is to get both your mind and body to relax.
If you are new to meditation, or it is something you’re not particularly interested in, then don’t worry, by implementing a few of our suggestions below, you can find yourself reaping the benefits of relaxing in a hot tub and even subconsciously incorporating a few meditative techniques in the process.
Before you even think about stepping into your hot tub, you need to consider the environment around it. What would help you to relax and empty your mind? It is always worth switching off your phone and laptop and letting the people that live with you know that you would like to be undisturbed for the next twenty minutes.
Lighting
Specific lighting can influence a person’s mood, and for the purposes of meditation, lighting can create the relaxing ambience you need to meditate successfully. Whether that is natural lighting, from daylight to moonlight, fairy lights, or even installing low lighting around your hot tub, finding the right lighting is key to creating the right atmosphere.
We would also recommend candles, although battery powered ones are safer than open flames. If you do use candles, then please keep them away from all flammable objects and remember to not leave them unattended when you have finished in the hot tub.
Music
Music can have a transformative effect when you’re meditating. Even without the relaxing element of a hot tub, music is a great meditative technique. As the aim is to stay calm and reflective, nature sounds are the most commonly used sound for tranquility. However, it really comes down to personal preference, try different sounds and find out what relaxes you the most; the sound of rain, wind in the trees or birdsong, or simply classical music, just remember that for whatever you choose, it needs to be kept low in volume so as to provide a harmonic background noise.
Aroma
Although this seems like an odd one, aromatherapy is a proven technique to achieve tranquility and relaxation. Your sense of smell has a significant impact on your mood and emotion so by harnessing the power of aroma, you can truly focus on positive experiences.
You can use diffusers, oil burners, incense sticks or even just a nice smelling candle, however such is the popularity of hot tub meditation, you can now purchase specific hot tub essential oils. These are designed to be added directly to your hot tub and come in liquid, crystal, cartridge, and bead form and come in a wide variety of scents, so you’re sure to find a smell that you love.
DO NOT put ordinary essential oils into your hot tub, this can cause irreparable damage to the hot tub itself and may cause skin reactions.
Breathing
Once you have your tranquil environment, you can enter your hot tub and start meditating. Try and get into a comfortable position with your spine straight, it doesn’t matter if your legs are crossed or uncrossed, it may just come down to how much space you have in your hot tub.
When you are comfortable, you can begin to work on controlling your breathing. This is an essential part of any meditation, regardless of where you are.
Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose, hold your breath for a couple of seconds, then breathe out through your mouth, pushing your abdominal muscles out as you do so. Try to focus on the relaxing feeling of the water around you and the peaceful environment and you should feel your body and mind start to calm.
Practice!
You may not realise it, but even with meditation techniques, you will get better at it the more you practice. If you are a beginner, we recommend meditation sessions from between 5-10 minutes, until you find yourself more comfortable. Don’t worry if you can’t full switch your brain off at first, like we said, it just takes practice!
If you’re looking to buy a hot tub to practice your meditation in, or you need advice or you have any questions, then please contact us at Hot Tubs and Living. We can find you the ideal hot tub for your home, as well as providing all the information you need about hot tubs and accessories. We are here to help you get the most out of your hot tub experience.
