There’s nothing better than coming home after a long, stressful day at work, and melting those stresses away in your hot tub.
While hot tubs offer a wide range of health benefits, from easing stress all the way to improving joint pain, it’s important to know your limits.
Because hot tubs are…well, hot, you need to take care and avoid spending too much time soaking.
Let’s take a look at how long you can stay inside a hot tub and what you need to consider before you soak.
General Timing for Hot Tub Use
As a rule of thumb, you should only use your hot tub for between 15-45 minutes, and that time will depend on a variety of factors that you’ll read more about below.
If you’ve just bought a hot tub, then start out with shorter sessions until you find a duration that works for you. Don’t forget, you can always jump back in later on in the day!
How Long To Stay Inside a Hot Tub – 4 Key Factors to Consider
1. Age
Children under 12 should spend no more than five minutes inside a hot tub at 104 degrees, but they can soak for up to 15 minutes at lower temperatures. It’s recommended that children avoid full-body immersion.
Older adults, and particularly those with health conditions, may feel more comfortable at lower temperatures or spend less time inside a hot tub.
2. Health
Pregnant adults should never enter a hot tub that’s over 102 degrees, and even below this temperature, they should limit their soaks to ten minutes. If you’ve got a medical condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or circulatory issues, then consult a doctor before using a hot tub.
Plus, you should also talk to your doctor before hot tub use if you take anticoagulants or medications that make you drowsy.
3. Temperature Preference
If you prefer a cooler soak, then you’ll be able to sit inside a hot tub set at 98 degrees for longer because it’s in line with your body temperature. However, when you raise the temperature by even a few degrees, the water temperature will be higher than your core temperature, meaning you’re more likely to feel symptoms of overheating.
So, if you’re a fan of a warm hot tub, then the ideal temperature is between 100-102 degrees. Providing you’re a healthy adult, and you have a bottle of water nearby, you should be able to soak at this temperature for up to 30 minutes.
But, if you like your hot tubs HOT, then provided that you’re healthy, comfortable, and stay hydrated, make sure to reduce the time of the session to 15-20 minutes.
4. Climate
If you live in a cold climate, or it’s winter, make sure not to heat your water above 100 degrees and only soak for up to 15 minutes.
While you’ll be tempted to turn the temperature up and stay soaking for longer, the cold outside temperature confuses your sense of internal temperature, so it’s easier to overheat in the cold. To stay safe using your hot tub in the winter, wear a hat to help you regulate your temperature.
9 Hot Tub Safety Tips
It’s remarkably easy to overheat or become dehydrated when you’re using a hot tub because your body can’t perspire while you’re lying in the water. Not only that but getting in and out of hot tubs can be dangerous for some people.
Make sure you enjoy your hot tub safely by following these tips.
- Always use hot tub covers whenever your hot tub isn’t in use. This prevents debris from falling in the hot tub and avoids the risk of people or animals falling in.
- Get out of the tub at the first sign of dehydration. If you feel nauseous, dizzy, tired, get a headache, or notice your vision is blurred, leave the hot tub immediately.
- Use a pool thermometer. This is the most accurate way of telling if your water is too hot, as your body might not be able to tell if the climate outside is too cold.
- Have a first aid kit nearby. Ideally, keep one by your hot tub so you don’t have to rush to find it in an emergency.
- Install hot tub lights. If you like to soak at night, then make sure you have lights installed around your hot tub and any steps to avoid trips and falls.
- Install hot tub steps. If you have limited mobility or soak with someone who does, then steps allow them to access the hot tub safely.
- Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. Keep a bottle of water handy, particularly at higher temperatures. But don’t drink alcohol, because this will dehydrate you further.
- Eat a well-balanced diet. This keeps your blood sugars steady and helps avoid the risk of adverse effects in your hot tub.
- Pay for professional hot tub installation. This makes sure that your hot tub is using the right power source that’s properly waterproofed to avoid the risk of shock.
Stay Safe with Lifestyle Outdoor
At Lifestyle Outdoor, we only stock the safest and best hot tubs that are on the market. You can rest assured knowing that each brand we stock is meticulously tested for your comfort and safety, and our showroom experts are well-versed in finding the very best hot tub for your needs.
Not only that, but our professional installation and aftercare service will help you to set up and maintain a safe spa setup. We also stock a wide range of hot tub covers and other safety equipment, so if you’ve got any safety concerns, we’ll be able to help you build a custom solution for your lifestyle.
To get started with your hot tub journey, drop by one of our showrooms today.
