There’s nothing like soaking in a hot tub. The feeling is so divine that you might wish you could spend the rest of your day there! Although that’s far from realistic, what is the limit for spending time in a hot tub? How long should you be in a hot tub? The answer to that question is somewhat variable depending on several different factors. To help answer that question and define those factors, we’ve put together this missive.
Really, How Long Should You Be in A Hot Tub?
As mentioned in the introduction, there are several different variables and factors that will dictate the amount of time that you can spend in a hot tub safely. It’s generally agreed that 15 to 30 minutes is the longest your soaking session should be before you get out and allow your body to cool back down. In certain instances, which we’ll cover below, you could spend longer in the hot tub without any harmful effects, but you should really monitor your body’s own response to the heat and act accordingly. No matter how long you’ve been in the hot tub, if you start to feel dizzy, faint or overheated you’ve probably already spent too much time in the water and should get out of the water immediately.
What Really Dictates How Long You Should Spend in A Hot Tub?
Heat affects different people in different ways. So, what makes sense for one person may not make sense for another. There are both external and internal factors that can make you more sensitive or more impervious to long periods in high temperatures. Understand that there’s no one size that fits all when it comes to soaking times when using the hot tub.
Hot Tub Temperature
The most influential factor in how long you’ll be able to stay in the hot tub is how hot the water is. Most hot tubs have a maximum temperature of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, most manufacturers and safety certification organizations deem this to be the highest temperature a hot tub should ever reach. If you’re running your hot tub at 104 degrees, you should not spend more than 15 minutes at a time in the water before cooling off. If you want to have longer uninterrupted sessions, you can simply turn the water temperature down to 98 degrees, your body temperature. If you’d prefer your water to be warmer than body temperature, dropping by even a few degrees under 104 can lengthen your soaking sessions by another 10 minutes or so.
Weather
The surrounding environment will also affect the amount of time you can spend in your hot tub. You’ll find your body is able to spend more time in the water on a cold winter day than you would on a sunny day in the middle of summer. The weather conditions in your area can help you choose the ideal location for your hot tub. If you live in the South and experience consistently high temperatures, you might seek a shady or windy spot to allow you to use your hot tub in the middle of summer. If you consistently face lower temperatures, a southern exposure will give you access to more sun that could help with water heating and making the hot tub more comfortable during the winter.
Health
If you have health conditions, such as heart problems or suffer from diabetes, it’s best to speak to a doctor before spending a lot of time in a hot tub. These conditions probably won’t preclude you from using a hot tub altogether, but your doctor might recommend limiting the length of each soaking session to avoid complications.
To find out more about using a hot tub, download a free buyer’s guide today.