September 6, 2019 – September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Unfortunately, I can say that I’ve known several people in my lifetime that chose to exit this world through taking their own lives. Anxiety and depression are both factors that contribute to someone getting to the point where they feel an exit is their only answer. A staggering 322 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety or depression. Many of them end up having suicidal thoughts.

There are many signals that can clue you into whether you or someone you know may be on the way to a depressive state. Here are some of the things that should alert you:

• Feeling hopeless
• Decrease in energy, or a general sense of feeling slowed down
• Struggling with memory or concentrating that is uncharacteristic
• Insomnia, as well as waking too early in the morning; or on the other side of the pendulum, oversleeping
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Feelings of sadness
• Feeling restless or irritable
• Thoughts of suicide

These are just a few of the things to look out for that may be a signal that something is amiss, and you may need to get medical or psychiatric assistance to help overcome a depressive episode.

Here is positive news: if you own a hot tub, it can be an excellent natural way to help your body and mind cope with both anxiety and depression and hopefully stave off any thoughts of doing something harmful.

There is truly something comforting about soaking in a body of hot water when you’re feeling blue. I’ve always thought It’s because we as humans link that type of experience back to the embryonic state and warmth we all lived in as we formed into the human beings to whom our mothers gave birth. The mind’s ability to link back to that safe, warm protected feeling is something I believe occurs on a subconscious level when you soak in a hot tub.

Buoyancy provides weightlessness. That is water’s relief for your body of the heavy feeling that can accompany feeling depressed. If pain is part of the equation causing depression, it can also help alleviate pain tied to joints or muscles. It’s a wonder for back pain as well.

Insomnia is one of those problems linked to anxiety and depression. Rest for the brain and your body is key. Hot tub soaks an hour before your normal bedtime can absolutely help with getting a better chance at a good night of slumber. There are also a couple of aromatherapy options that would be beneficial to add to hot tub water that would assist you. Spazazz Aromatherapy has two options to help target stress and help with sleep in their Rx collection. You could further help with falling asleep with a pillow spray containing lavender.

Taking a hot tub with a friend can also help out. You’ll have a chance to open up to someone you trust about fears or something causing you to feel stressed, hopeless or depressed. The process of talking things out can absolutely help if you’re feeling down or out of sorts. Why not do it in the warm comfort of a hot tub?

Finally, hot tub soaking has been proven to be a great mood elevator. Immersion in hot water encourages serotonin production, which is the body’s feel good “happy” chemical. Increasing serotonin can ward off negative feelings and a sense of despair. (Who doesn’t need that in this world?)

I hope if you have someone in your life—or you yourself—struggle with anxiety or depression, you’ll take steps to rise above it. Seek help from friends or medical providers and think about how a hot tub can help if one is available to you. It could make a wonderful positive difference.

I wish all out there good health and happy soaks.