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Why Do Hot Tubs Make You Tired – Do Hot Tubs Make You Sleepy?

Hot tubs are a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. However, have you ever wondered why do hot tubs make you tired?

Soaking in a hot tub increases circulation and warms your body. The subsequent cooldown mimics your natural nightly temperature drop, making it easier to fall asleep. The heat of the water and the relaxing feeling of hot tubs are just a couple of reasons why you may feel tired after soaking in one. Additionally, hot tubs can cause dehydration, which, in turn, leads to drowsiness.

In this article, we will explore the science behind why hot tubs make you tired and sleepy. We will also discuss how soaking in a hot tub can impact sleep and how to avoid hot tub fatigue. By the end of this article, you will better understand why hot tubs make you feel tired and what you can do to avoid it.

10-15 minutes in a hot tub will make you feel sleepy.

Are You Tired or Just Relaxed?

I can’t count the number of times I’ve hopped into those warm, bubbling waters after a long day and felt like I was floating on cloud nine. But here’s the rub: Once I step out, I often find myself feeling a mix of blissful relaxation and, well, downright sleepiness. I’m not talking about just being a bit tired; I mean a sort of tranquil fatigue that makes my bed seem like heaven calling me.

So, what’s going on here? Is it normal, or is it something to be concerned about? Turns out, it’s a bit of both. Hot tubs are designed to be relaxing, and they do an excellent job of that, thanks to the warm water and jets massaging your tired muscles. But they can also slightly elevate your body temperature, which cues your body to start winding down as it works to regulate that temperature back to normal.

Think of it like drinking a warm cup of herbal tea before bed; it’s calming, but it’s also nudging your internal thermostat in a direction that’s conducive to sleep. Just be mindful if you’re feeling more “wiped out” than “wound down”—that could be a sign you’re overdoing it or need to hydrate. Either way, don’t ignore what your body’s telling you. After all, the line between relaxation and fatigue can be as thin as a bubble’s wall.

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Why Do Hot Tubs Make You Tired – The Science Behind it

The Hot Tub’s Lure

The appeal of a hot tub soak is undeniable—warm, bubbling water, a tranquil atmosphere, and the promise of relaxation after a stressful day. But many of us notice that stepping out of the hot tub often leads to an overwhelming sense of sleepiness. Ever wondered why? Let’s dive into the science behind this phenomenon.

Thermoregulation: A Balancing Act

When you soak in a hot tub, the warm water increases your circulation and draws heat from your body’s core to your fingers and toes. Then, when you step out of the bath, your body cools in the air. This cooldown mimics the same cooldown your body naturally experiences at night when it’s time to start getting sleepy. This is why soaking in a hot tub or sauna as part of your bedtime routine can make it easier for you to fall asleep at night.

The heat releases endorphins, those happy hormones that make you feel good. Endorphins can help clear your mind of any emotional or mental stress you’re carrying around, enabling you to let things go and relax. A hot tub or sauna relaxes you physically by relieving achy joints and muscles. If you’re in a hot tub, the buoyancy of the water helps your muscles relax and decompress.

Hydrotherapy: The Magic of Water Jets

Those water jets aren’t just for fun; they serve a therapeutic purpose. Hydrotherapy helps to improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. When your muscles relax, the tension eases from your body, allowing you to feel calmer and, you guessed it, sleepier.

Dehydration: A Sneaky Culprit

While you’re enjoying the warm waters, you might not notice that you’re sweating. Combined with the diuretic effect of hot temperatures, you can easily get dehydrated. And guess what? Dehydration can make you feel tired. So, if you find yourself extra sleepy post-soak, you might want to chug a glass of water.

Mind-Body Connection: The Mental Aspect

Let’s not underestimate the power of psychological relaxation. Being in a hot tub gives you a moment to pause, detach from the chaos, and just be. This mental calmness goes hand-in-hand with physical relaxation, contributing to that overall sleepy feeling.

The Time Factor: When You Soak Matters

You’ll likely find that soaking in a hot tub in the evening has a more pronounced sleep-inducing effect than a morning soak. This is because your body is already preparing for sleep in the evening, and the hot tub just gives it that extra nudge.

Striking the Right Balance

So, the next time you find yourself dozing off after a hot tub session, you’ll know it’s not just in your head—it’s a mix of thermoregulation, hydrotherapy, potential dehydration, and your own mental state. Just remember to listen to your body; while sleepiness might be welcome, excessive fatigue could be a sign that you’ve overdone it. Keep that balance, and you’ll make the most of your soothing soaks.

How Long Does Soaking in a Hot Tub Take to Feel Sleepy?

Generally, you may start to feel sleepy after soaking in a hot tub for around 15 to 30 minutes, although individual experiences can vary.

Can Soaking in a Hot Tub Actually Detox Your System and Impact Sleep?

Detoxing

Soaking in a hot tub can help to detox the body in a number of ways. The heat of the water can help to loosen and remove toxins from the body.

The massage jets can also help to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for filtering out toxins from the body.

Soaking in a hot tub can also help improve circulation and increase blood flow. During this process, sweat removes many of the harmful toxins in your body.

After taking detox baths regularly, you might experience decreased joint pain, reduced muscle pain, increased circulation, relief from stress and anxiety, improved skin tone, and better sleep.

Note: There is no scientific consensus on the effectiveness of hot tubs for detoxification. Some experts believe that the benefits are overstated, while others believe that they can be a helpful part of a healthy lifestyle.

Impact on Sleep

Soaking in a hot tub can also positively impact sleep. According to research, the simple relaxation gained from a soak in the hot tub may be enough to help you drift off into a more peaceful sleep.

An older study evaluated passive body heating as a treatment for insomnia in older adults. The study was small and subjective but found that hot baths promoted significantly deeper and more restful sleep.

Also, soaking in a hot tub can raise your body temperature and lower it, which triggers sleepiness. This rapid drop in body temperature will help relax you and is said to put you in a deeper sleep.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Daily Soaking and Sleep Quality

Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when soaking in a hot tub:

Do’s:

Avoid very hot water: Make sure the water isn’t too hot, with an absolute maximum of 104°F (40°C).

Stay hydrated: Hot tubs make you sweat and leave you dehydrated. Drink plenty of water, but avoid alcohol before or during your soak.

Limit your time in the tub: Don’t stay in too long, especially if you’re not used to it. At the maximum temperature, set your limit at 10 to 15 minutes.

Wash afterward: Remove your bathing suit and wash with soap and lukewarm water.

Don’ts:

• Swallow hot tub water: Don’t swallow hot tub water or even get it into your mouth.
• Jump straight from the hot tub into the pool: Don’t jump straight from the hot tub into the pool to cool off. The cold water could shock your system and spike your blood pressure.
• Drink alcohol before or during hot tub use: Avoid alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
• Let children less than 5 years of age use hot tubs: Observe limits, if posted, on the maximum allowable number of bathers. Children under eight years old must be supervised at all times and must be comfortably tall enough to stand on the bottom and have their heads out of the water.

How Hot Tubs Can Dehydrate You and Affect Sleep?

Soaking in a hot tub can cause dehydration, which, in turn, leads to drowsiness. Hot tubs make you sweat and leave you dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water is essential to avoid dehydration, but avoid alcohol before or during your soak.

Symptoms of dehydration after using a hot tub include excess thirst and feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or sleepy. When those symptoms set in, exit the hot tub safely and slowly sip water in a seated position until the symptoms diminish.

Soaking in a hot tub can also impact sleep positively. According to research, the simple relaxation gained from a soak in the hot tub may be enough to help you drift off into a more peaceful sleep. An older study evaluated passive body heating as a treatment for insomnia in older adults. The study was small and subjective but found that hot baths promoted significantly deeper and more restful sleep.

Also, soaking in a hot tub can raise your body temperature and lower it, which triggers sleepiness. This rapid drop in body temperature will help relax you and is said to put you in a deeper sleep.

How to Navigate Hot Tub Fatigue?

Hot tubs can make you feel tired due to the following reasons:

• When immersed in warm water, the body temperature rises, causing a series of physiological reactions that can lead to feelings of tiredness.
• The heated water increases your body temperature, causing a shift in blood flow from your inner organs to your skin.
• Spending time in the heated water will raise your internal temperature and cause your body to begin sweating to cool you off. If you’re not already properly hydrated, it won’t take very long before you’ll begin to feel drowsy due to the effects of dehydration.
• The heat of the water and the relaxing feeling of hot tubs are just a couple of reasons why you may feel tired after soaking in one.

To avoid hot tub fatigue, here are some tips:

• Avoid very hot water: Make sure the water isn’t too hot, with an absolute maximum of 104°F (40°C).
• Stay hydrated: Hot tubs make you sweat and leave you dehydrated. Drink plenty of water, but avoid alcohol before or during your soak.
• Limit your time in the tub: Don’t stay in too long, especially if you’re not used to it. At the maximum temperature, set your limit at 10 to 15 minutes.
• Wash afterward: When finished, remove your bathing suit and wash with soap and lukewarm water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I sleep better after the hot tub?

The warm water in a hot tub helps raise your core body temperature. When you step out, your body works to cool itself down, a process known as thermoregulation. This natural cooling-down period can induce a state of relaxation and drowsiness, making it easier to fall asleep. The hydrotherapy jets also help relax tense muscles, adding to this overall sense of relaxation.

Is it good to go in a hot tub before bed?

Yes, it can be beneficial to soak in a hot tub before bed if you’re looking to improve your sleep. The warm water and massaging jets create a soothing environment that helps to relax both your mind and body. However, you should aim to leave the hot tub at least an hour before you plan to sleep to give your body enough time to cool down and signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down for sleep.

Do hot tubs detox your body?

While hot tubs do open your pores and can improve circulation, there’s no concrete scientific evidence to suggest that they actively detoxify your body. The organs responsible for detoxification are mainly your liver and kidneys. Though you might sweat a bit during your soak, this isn’t the same as a full-on detox.

Is it healthy to go in a hot tub every day?

Using a hot tub daily isn’t inherently bad and can offer benefits like improved sleep, stress relief, and eased muscle tension. However, there are some caveats. Extended or frequent hot tub use can lead to dehydration or skin issues, and it’s not advised for certain populations, like pregnant women or those with certain medical conditions. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Final Thoughts

Hot tubs are a beloved source of relaxation, but they also bring about some intriguing effects, like making you feel sleepy. This drowsiness is partly due to thermoregulation, the process your body undergoes to cool down after the warm soak. Hydrotherapy from the water jets and the mental calmness you achieve also contribute to this feeling.

Hot tubs make you tired and sleepy due to a combination of factors like thermoregulation, improved blood circulation, relaxation, and potential dehydration.

However, navigating hot tub fatigue requires some savvy. Timing your soaks and staying hydrated can go a long way in making sure you’re reaping the benefits without feeling overly tired. Daily hot tub use isn’t necessarily bad, but moderation and individual health considerations should guide your habits.

So, enjoy your time in that warm, bubbling sanctuary, but be mindful of your body’s signals to strike the perfect balance between relaxation and rejuvenation.