The Best Time to Use a Hot Tub
To be honest, when asked about the best time to use your spa, we feel the need to change the wording a bit. Really, the question should be when is NOT the best time to use your hot tub? Because honestly, soaking in a hot tub is almost always a great idea.
Soaking in a spa can be therapeutic, relaxing, and an all-around excellent time for catching up with family and loved ones about what is happening in their lives. But it’s true that there can be advantages to using it at different times of day, and different times of year since the health benefits are wide and varied.
Since you’re wondering, let’s talk about some of our favorite times for utilizing your spa—and why.
When Shouldn’t You Use a Spa?
Since we’re talking about the best times when you should, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that there are rare occasions when you shouldn’t use soak in a hot tub. This question is always best answered by your doctor, but you’re a smart person. You understand practical judgment and common sense. There are going to be rare times when you should use caution to be safe. If you’re pregnant, have open wounds, are undergoing certain cancer treatments, or perhaps if you’ve recently had medical procedures which will be affected by increased circulation, heat, or water.
If there’s ever a time when you’re not sure, talk to your doctor about what is best for your individual situation.
Best Time of Day to Use a Hot Tub
Now, when it comes to daily use, you may find different times of day will benefit you differently.
Morning
Utilizing your hot tub first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day off right. Some people drink their coffee in the hot tub every morning, loosening up their minds while the warm water and massage loosens up their muscles. And morning in most places is cooler than midday or evening, so the lowered temperatures can be invigorating.
Evening
Conversely, using a spa in the evening gives you an opportunity to star-gaze while you soak away the stress from your day. Sitting in your hot tub nightly can greatly improve your ability to sleep deeply, which gives you a better chance for recovering from stress or other activities. Evenings can also be cooler than midday, so this is also an invigorating time to use your spa, specifically during autumn or winter months.
Best Time of Year to Use a Hot Tub
This is, once again, a matter of perspective and preference is subjective to each individual’s needs, because we believe there are benefits to year-round use.
Spring
Spring is a time of renewal and reviving dormant muscles from their winter rest. In other words, it’s time to get back in shape after the cold winter months. What better season could there be for reinvigorating the mind and body with regular, luxurious soaks in your spa? You’ll enjoy the scents of freshly turned earth and early blooming flowers while you rest your mind and body.
During this season of new life, you can revitalize your mental and physical health by scheduling regular soak-time in your spa, either alone, or with your loved ones. Both your body and your mind will thank you.
Summer
Depending on where you live, the best use of your spa during the summer is going to vary. If you live in a place where the temperature is higher during the day, but drops at night, you may want to keep your temperature on the warmer end of lukewarm, simply to keep it comfortable for both day and night use.
But if you live somewhere where the air stays warm even after the sun goes down, you might consider keeping your spa at a cooler temperature for a more refreshing dip. If it’s possible for you to cool it, you can turn it into a massaging plunge pool, which can be used day and night, regardless of outdoor temperatures, and gives your spa another excellent purpose. Just make sure to keep the cover on when you’re not using it, so it stays as cool as possible during the hottest months.
Summer is an excellent time to host backyard parties and barbecues with friends, family, and neighbors. Inviting others to utilize your spa will undoubtedly make your home the most popular hangout place.
Autumn
 
As the leaves turn and the weather cools again, you may find that the days are quite warm, but the evenings are not so much. This is a great time to gradually warm up your water to where you’d like it during the winter, a little bit at a time. As the morning and night temperatures stretch longer, keeping things cool, you can warm up in the luxury of warm, massaging water. Enjoy the beauty of the changing colors and the smells of pumpkin and apple spice, while your body is engulfed in water that is your ideal temperature, massaging the exact spots where you need it most.
Winter
Winter is becoming a more popular time than ever to use a spa. Considering the invigoration that comes from combining cold air with hot water, it’s no surprise this is a popular practice. Add in some snow-tipped trees, bright stars or twinkle lights, and the vision of steam coming off the water, and basically, this is luxury at its finest.
During the winter months, our bodies tend to have more aches and pains that are exacerbated by cold, so the benefits of soaking in hot water are exceptional during this time. Not only does the warm water loosen the muscles, but the massaging action helps increase circulation, which can go a long way toward healing those aches.
If you’re worried about the trip from the hot tub to the house while you’re wet, we suggest that you consider investing in a thick bath sheet or robe to make that trip more pleasant.
In Conclusion
No matter when you utilize your hot tub, the only time you might truly regret making such a great investment is when you’re not using it. There is no right or wrong time to soak in your spa, and there are definite benefits from using one on a regular basis, no matter the season, time of day, or temperature outside.
Like we mentioned above, it’s not a question of when is best to use your spa, so much as a question of why aren’t you using it more?
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