Hot tub in hot weather to stay cool? Sounds like wacky advice found on the internet, doesn’t it? If  your inclination is to stay out of the hot tub in hot, hot weather, read on.

Most of us living in the Northwest are unaccustomed to really hot summer days.  Soon we’ll be returning to 80 degree weather (we can only hope).  Are you wilting at the thought or praying for heat? Whichever, read on for what to do when hot weather does hit.

Your hot tub can be a lifesaver in hot weather. If that sounds like a contradiction, it’s not!  Turn the temperature to 99 or 100. Your skin temperature runs between 94 and 96.  If you turned the tub to 94, you’d feel chilled as you sit still.  Really!  You can stay in for a good long while at 99 degrees-past the prune fingers and toes stage.  When you get out, you’ll feel refreshed for hours.  Something about the heating of your body on a sustained basis and then the cooling down which feels so much more refreshing than a shower. I’ve been known to loll in my Hot Spring Prodigy model on a really hot day reading the better part of a good novel. And, emerging refreshed, invigorated and very cool!

Here are my top tips for safe summer hot tub soaking:

1)  Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after soaking. I love chilled San Pellegrino either plain or the new Limonata flavor (delicious) from my local Trader Joe’s. Avoid alcohol until AFTER your soak.  Alcohol is dehydrating and is a depressant on your system.

2)  Cool down before you heat up. Wait until you stop sweating and your pulse returns to normal after exercising before getting into the hot tub.

3)  Take Care when getting in and out. Enter and exit the hot tub slowly. Ease in gradually. Exit carefully. A sudden change in posture and temperature can cause lightheadedness.

4)  Watch the temperature. The maximum recommended safe temperature for a hot tub is 104 degrees. Soaking time at this temperature should not exceed 15 minutes. For summer, try 100 degrees or even 99 degrees in order to feel refreshed not enervated in the heat as I noted above.  Kids under 12 usually prefer lower temperatures in the summer because their sweat glands aren’t fully developed.

5)  Check with your doctor. Ask your doctor about hot weather hot tubbing if you’re taking medication or have a health condition that may be affected by extreme heat.

6)  Save your skin & hair. Wear sunscreen or a broad brimmed hat if you’re soaking in the direct sun. Even better get one of our umbrella hats. Look stylish while you soak.

7) A cool compress on your forehead is bliss. Do like the Japanese do in bath houses (onsen) all over Japan. They fold a small towel that’s been dipped in cold water and place it on their forehead as they relax in the hottest of waters. So refreshing!

The best tip of all: have fun, relax, enjoy yourself and beat heat!!

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.