HotSpring Portable Spas of Dayton

A recent study shows that 70 percent of employed Americans suffer stress-related conditions including anxiety and insomnia.  Soaking in a hot tub can:  

• Reduce stress and relax: Swirling warm water helps your brain to relax while washing away anxiety.
• Sleep Better: By immersing yourself in hot water for 15 minutes before bedtime, your body temperature rises and enhances your ability to fall asleep faster.

Hydrotherapy is one the oldest and safest methods for treating many common ailments. Plus, exercising in water is easier on joints than exercising on land! By soaking in a hot tub, you can:  

• Get relief for arthritis, aches and stiffness.-Warm, pulsating water increases blood supply to aching joints, which helps to remove inflammatory particles from the area and relieves pain. 

  -The buoyancy of the water relaxes muscles, and warm water decreases muscle tension that allows for greater flexibility. 

  -Specialized jets that move up and down the spine soothe inflamed tissue and relieve pain. 

 -Steam rising off hot water can help open up nasal and bronchial passages and improves circulation to aid in maintaining upper respiratory health. 

 -Many people find that soaking in a hot tub relieves headache pain, especially pain from tension headaches. 

Many professional sports organizations, trainers and therapists recommend warm-water therapy to help patients resume their daily activities faster. By owning a hot tub, you can:  

• Improve Cardio Health: A recent study at the Mayo Clinic found that soaking in a hot tub gives many of the health benefits of exercise with less strain on the heart. Soaking in a hot tub increases the heart rate while it lowers blood pressure rather than raising it as does other forms of exercise.
  
• Relieve Back and Knee Pain: Four out of five Americans suffer from chronic back pain, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Many studies show that hydrotherapy alleviates lower back pain and knee ailments by reducing stress and stiffness.

The above are just a few of the benefits of soaking in a hot tub.  Making your soak a regular event, you may find that your mind, your joints and your muscles truley become relaxed like never before. 

Hot Spring Spa of Dayton was awarded the Territory Dealer of the Year Award in San Fransico last month.  This award is presented to the dealership in their local territory that has displayed during the year the high standards that have been established for Hot Spring Spa dealers throughout the years.

Hot Spring Spa of Dayton has received this award seven times over the past eighteen years along with numerous other awards over that time.  This is a tribute to the staff at Hot Spring Spa of Dayton that continues to strive to make Hot Spring Spa of Dayton’s customers the happiest and most satisfied in the world.

Shown in the picture are George and Andrea Dalhamer, owners’ of Hot Spring Spa of Dayton, as well as Michael Evans, Steve Hammock and Mike Dunn from Watkins Manufacturing Corporation.   Hot Spring Spas of Dayton has been associated with Watkins Manufacturing for over twenty-six years and during that period, they have proudly sold ONLY Hot Spring Spas.  The dealership has operated during that period under this basic rule as stated by Oscar Wilde, “I have the simplest tastes.  I am always satisfied with the best.”

This award will  hang proudly on the Hot Spring Spa of Dayton’s wall of fame directly above their lounging area.  Again thanks to all of Hot Spring Spas of Dayton’s employees as well as to all of the employees of Watkins Manufacturing Corporation for all that they do in designing building, delivering and maintaining the finest hot tubs in the industry.

What’s the Right Way to use my Traditional Sauna?

I have been asked many times what is the right way to use a traditional sauna?  There are many opinions but I thought I would share mine which is a combition of many concepts that I have heard over the years.

First of all, there is no right way or wrong way to use a traditional sauna however it is important to listen to your body.  Don’t push yourself passed the point of feeling comfortable thinking that you will get more of a benefit by doing such.  Your body will tell you when you have had enough.  Also realize that each person is different and each time you use the sauna your body may act differently.

Let’s go over a full basics.  Your sauna will take a certain period of time to preheat.  If your sauna and heater are properly sized, your sauna should heat up about 80 F degrees per 30 minute period.  If your sauna temperature is about 70 degrees F at start-up, it should reach 150 degrees F within approximately 30 minutes.  Please remember that the starting humidity levels in your sauna will also effect the preheat time.  The higher the starting humidity the longer the preheat time.

Once you have reached YOUR optimum temperature, it is time to start enjoying your sauna.  But lets first discuss the concept of the “Rule of 200” in the sauna world.  Many feel that the range for optimal benefit in a traditional sauna lies about the 200 sauna index range.  That index is computed by simply adding the temperature and the humidity to arrive at the index.  If your sauna temperature is 160 degrees F and your humidity is 50%, then your sauna index is 210 and you are in the optimal zone for sauna use.  So when using your traditional sauna, strive for the 200 sauna index range for maximum benefit.

Another newer concept in the sauna world, is that of a “soft sauna.”  That concept is derived from using your sauna at a lower temperature and higher humidty to arrive at the 200 index range.  For example, using your sauna at 130 degrees F and 70% humidity would fall into the catagory of a “soft sauna” experience in as much as you are operating at a lower temperature but still benefiting from the rule of 200.  This lower temperature is enjoyed by some who cannot tolerate the higher temperatures normally found in traditional saunas.   The beauty of the traditional sauna is that you can choose your experience whether it is 185 degrees with 15% humidity or 135 degrees with 65% humidity – the choice is yours.  I recommend for the new sauna user to start off at modest temperatures instead of starting off at the high end.  Let your body “season” itself into the pleasures of sauna bathing.  Over time increase the temperatures until you find your indeal temperature.

Now lets talk about the actual sauna experience.  For centuries, it has been known that the proper way to use a sauna is in sessions or innings.  What I mean by that is you do NOT simply preheat the sauna and then go into the sauna and sit.  There are techniques to maximize your sauna experience.  The concept of using your sauna in innings simply means that you go into your sauna multiple times per usage.  I recommend at least two innings (three if you have the time).  The first inning is your warm-up inning whereby your body is starting to warm from the sauna heat until you JUST start to perspire.  The specific amount of time for this to occur will vary between individuals – just let your body tell you when this occurs.  Optionally you can add some water to the sauna rocks to intensify the feeling of heat – this is accomplished by raising the humidity.  If you have any scents such as eucyliptus, this is a great time to add to the water for a sensational feeling within your sinuses.  Now it is time to exit the sauna and start a cool-down cycle.  This process allows your system to cool down slightly and your pores to start to close.  Some people actually rinse off in a cool shower, jump into a cold pool or lake or just lounge around in a cooler (or cold) environment.  Once you have cooled off sufficiently, it is time for your second inning.

Once you re-enter the sauna you will find that your body responds more quickly to the heat then during the first inning.  Your pores open more quickly and your persperation levels increase repidly.  Again listen to your body and it will tell you when its time to exit.  You may once again add some water to increase the effects of the sauna during this inning.  I like to add the water just prior to exiting the sauna for that session.  If this is going to be your last inning, you may want to also brush your skin with a sauna brush or (birch branches) to ride you skin of any dead skin that is on the surface.  Once again it is time to exit the sauna for a cool down.  If this was your final inning, your cool down should include rinsing off in a shower, pool, or lake.  If using a shower, care should be taken in using soap with creams added as they tend to get into the pores that were just opened and cleansed.  There are special sauna soaps to be used in those situation or using a brush or luffa can also be helpful.  If this wasn’t the last inning, simply keep repeating the last step until you are done.

Once you have cooled down, replace the liquids you lost during your sauna (water or flavored water is great) and have some light snacks to replace the salts that you lost during perspiration.  Relax and enjoy life.