Differences Between Hot Tubs and Saunas
Hot tubs and saunas are both popular options for relaxation and wellness. Hot tubs provide a unique experience with their heated water, creating a soothing and relaxing environment. Hot tubs are located outside the home and can be on a deck or a patio or in the backyard.
Saunas, on the other hand, can either be a steam sauna or an infrared dry sauna and generally are added to a space inside your home. This means you need to use an existing space, the sauna will probably not be very large, and it will need to have excellent ventilation to allow steam and moisture to escape.
If you are looking for a family activity or a place to socialize, a hot tub is probably preferable to a sauna. Hot tubs are generally larger, designed for multiple people to socialize and enjoy and great for kids. Saunas are contraindicated for children, you can’t spend as long in a sauna as you can in a hot tub, and saunas made for home use tend to be too small to be used for socializing with more than one other person.
Both hot tubs and saunas can help with blood pressure as the heat in both help blood vessels to dilate. Both hot tubs and saunas promote better sleep and both saunas and hot tubs can help with stress.
Overall, hot tubs and saunas offer distinct experiences and benefits. So, whether you prefer the hot water of a hot tub or the intense heat of a sauna, there are options to suit your preferences.
Benefits of Hot Tub Use
Hot tubs offer numerous benefits for relaxation, wellness, and overall well-being. Here are some of the key benefits of hot tub use:
Muscle relaxation: The warm water in a hot tub helps to relax and soothe tired, aching muscles. The heat increases blood flow, which aids in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, promoting faster recovery and relieving muscle tension.
Stress relief: Soaking in a hot tub can provide a sense of relaxation and help reduce stress. The warm water and massage jets create a tranquil environment, allowing you to unwind and release tension from everyday stressors.
Improved sleep: Using a hot tub before bed can enhance your sleep quality. The heat raises your body temperature, and when you leave the hot tub, your core temperature drops, signaling your body that it’s time for sleep. This can lead to a deeper and more restful sleep, leaving you rejuvenated and refreshed in the morning.
Pain relief: Hot tubs can provide relief from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. The buoyancy of the water relieves pressure on joints and muscles, while the heat promotes relaxation and increases blood circulation, reducing pain and stiffness.
Social connection: Hot tubs can also be a gathering place for friends and family, offering an opportunity to bond and create lasting memories. Whether it’s a cozy evening soak or a fun get-together, hot tubs provide a space to connect and engage with loved ones.
Benefits of a Hot Tub that you Can’t Get From a Sauna
Ease of installation
Both hot tubs and saunas require installation. Generally speaking, a hot tub is easier to install then a sauna. A hot tub is a self-contained, assembled unit that is delivered directly to where it is going to be installed. It requires a 220V power outlet and a supportive flat base. This is typically either in the backyard or on a deck or patio, and usually there is no major construction necessary.
Saunas, on the other hand, are usually installed inside a home. This means either a construction project to build the sauna in a room in the house, or a room will need to be converted to allow for a prefabricated sauna which will still need to be assembled in the space. New vents and wiring may be necessary.
High-end aesthetic
Face it, hot tubs are cool! There’s just something about that gently swirling water with lights and fountains that adds ambiance to a backyard space or a deck. A hot tub easily can become a beautiful focal point of a backyard space. It’s exterior can be matched to an assortment of styles and decors. A sauna does not have the same aesthetic. it is basically an indoor or outdoor shed.
Social interaction
Hot tubs are definitely better for spending quality time with people that you love. Hot tubs can be used for parties, casual get-togethers, quality time with partners or children as well as individual relaxation.
Saunas, on the other hand, are really not designed for fun and games. The space is small and designed for sitting still and relaxing. It is very, very hot and generally, even for those who use a sauna regularly, it is recommended that you spend no more than 15-20 minutes in a sauna at a time. Spending too long in a sauna will dehydrate you. It is also not beneficial for children to spend much time in a sauna as kids’ bodies do not regulate temperature as well as adults. Children under 7 should not use a sauna.
Hydrotherapy massage
The majority of hot tubs have the added benefit of built-in massagers in the form of jets. The jets in combination with the warm water provides your own personal hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy soothes and relaxes muscles, relieves tension and promotes well-being. The water buoyancy also helps by taking pressure off of joints and muscles. That’s something you won’t get in a sauna.
Physical Activity
Hot tubs are an ideal environment for physical activity. Hot tubs offer buoyancy during exercise which reduces the strain on joints and muscles. The warm water of a hot tub also provides resistance for swimmers, or just for exercise like running in place, providing an effective full-body workout. In addition, aquatic exercises such as stretching and yoga in the warm water of the hot tub improves flexibility.
Weightlessness
Hot tubs are highly recommended for arthritis sufferers because sitting or floating in warm water takes the weight off of joints and increases blood flow. Infared saunas can also be beneficial for joints but do not provide the additional benefit of weightlessness.
Sauna and Hot Tub Benefits
Both saunas and hot tubs can help with certain health concerns. Some of these are below:
Improved Sleep Quality
Both hot tubs and saunas can contribute to improved sleep quality. The combination of warm water and hydrotherapy in a hot tub can help relax the body and relieve muscle tension, promoting a deeper sleep. The buoyancy of the water also helps to alleviate pressure on joints, helping with flexibility and making it easier to find a comfortable sleep position.
Saunas, with their intense heat, can also provide benefits for sleep. The high temperatures help to relax muscles and increase blood flow, which can aid in stress relief and promote a more restful sleep. Additionally, saunas have been found to help regulate core temperature, which can lead to better sleep at night.
For those specifically looking to improve sleep, it is important to consider individual preferences and needs. Some may find the warm water and massage jets of a hot tub more conducive to a good night’s sleep, while others may prefer the intense heat and detoxifying effects of a sauna.
Regardless of choice, both hot tubs and saunas can provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience that can contribute to improved sleep quality.
Cardiovascular Health Benefits
Both hot tubs and saunas offer cardiovascular health benefits that can improve overall well-being. When used properly, hot tubs and saunas can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
“In the first long-term observational study of its kind, in middle-aged Finnish men, it was found that sauna bathing frequency was associated with a decreased risk of fatal cardiovascular disease. Those who participated in four to seven sauna sessions per week had an astonishing 50 percent reduction in the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease when compared to those who went once a week… Meanwhile, researchers from Japan have shown that higher frequencies of habitual hot tub bathing have protective effects against fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events.” There’s one big surprising health benefit to saunas and hot tubs (inverse.com)
The biggest difference between saunas and hot tubs is that hot tubs actually assist in moving blood through your body. Hot tubs have hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure means that water exerts pressure on the body and the deeper the water the more the pressure. So, the water at the bottom of the tub exerts more pressure on your lower extremities than the water at the top or the air on your skin. Fluid moves from high pressure to low pressure which means that a hot tub helps your blood circulate from your lower extremities to your heart, improving blood flow to your heart.
Improved Mental Health
Hot tubs offer mental health benefits that can help reduce stress and improve mood. The warm water and massage jets of a hot tub help relax the body and mind, providing relief from stress and tension. Additionally, hot tubs allow for connecting with partners and family. Positive interactions with others raise endorphins and provide for a greater sense of well-being.
Sauna use is also associated with improved mental health. The heat and relaxation can help reduce stress, improve mood, and promote a sense of well-being. Studies have shown that regular sauna use can help reduce anxiety and depression as well as the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, saunas can increase beta endorphins in the body, which can lead to improved mental health.
Relief from Aches and Pains
Are you suffering from aches and pains? Consider adding regular sauna sessions or hot tub sessions to your health routine.
Hot tubs are a great way to alleviate sore muscles and joints. The heat and massage jets in a hot tub can help relax muscles, loosen tight joints, and reduce pain. Hot tubs also help reduce inflammation, which can further ease pain and stiffness.
Saunas, especially infrared saunas, can provide effective pain relief and relaxation for those dealing with muscle soreness, joint discomfort, and other types of pain. The heat from the sauna helps to increase blood flow and circulation, which can alleviate tension and promote healing. This improved circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas, reducing inflammation and speeding up the recovery process. Saunas also help to release endorphins, natural pain-relieving hormones that can provide temporary relief from chronic pain.
Benefits of Sauna Bathing
Certain benefits can be found from the use of an infrared or steam sauna that cannot be obtained to the same degree from a hot tub.
Fighting against illnesses
Saunas are a great tool to help keep the body healthy. In studies, it was shown that regular sauna use reduced the number of colds compared to the control group but did not reduce the severity or duration of the colds. In addition, heat from the sauna can increase white blood cell production which helps the body fight illness.
Better skin
Saunas are well known for the improving of the condition of skin. The sweating helps dry skin cells come off more easily. Saunas also enhances circulation and improves collagen production which keeps your skin firmer longer.
Medical Considerations
Remember, if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, it’s essential to consult with a medical professional before using hot tubs or starting sauna therapy. Certain medical conditions can be aggravated by heat, and it’s important to be aware of these conditions before using hot tubs or saunas. Your doctor can provide more information about the safety of these therapies for you.
Conclusion
Hot tubs and saunas both offer a variety of health benefits including improved circulation and mental health, as well as relief from aches and pains. Hot tubs allow for shared relaxation and social interaction, hydrotherapy, resistance training and arthritis relief, while saunas provide increased circulation, improved skin health, and a boost to the immune system. If you have any more questions about the benefits of hot tubs vs. saunas, please contact Mile High Hot Tubs and we will be happy to help you.
