As the weather gets warmer, the family cycling trips are in full swing, the running shoes are being dusted off and people are working towards hitting their fitness goals this summer. However, after your exercise is complete, what is the best way to relax and prioritise self-care this summer?
Over the past three months, there has been a 400 per cent increase in 'best recovery after workout' searches online, as people consider the best ways, and factors to unwind and rehabilitate after a workout, prompting Platinum Spas to research how to create a spa getaway in a garden.
To help ensure that this summer can be as relaxing as possible, director of product development and design at Platinum Spas, Gareth Ward, has listed five essential tips on how to turn a garden into a spa getaway.
1. Make sure your hot tub is at the right temperature
In the winter months most people prefer a hot tub temperature range between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, however in the summer it is best to reduce the temperature to 96-98 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid overheating. However this is just a recommendation, ultimately its important to find the temperature that feels comfortable for you.
If you are looking to gain the benefits of hydrotherapy or muscle relaxation, we recommend setting the temperature between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature range, it's essential to limit your soaking time to between 10-15 minutes to avoid overheating or dehydration.
2. Consider an ice bath
Cold water immersion has been known to have many health benefits. Research has shown that cold therapy can repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and reduce muscle soreness. Imagine how inflammation and pain can be reduced using an ice pack, such as frozen bag. There are several health benefits associated with ice baths, and this practical information supports that claim.
Ice bath or cold water immersion cause vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to the submerged muscles. This can assist in preventing inflammation and swelling caused by exercise-induced muscle injury. Ice baths also help to remove waste products, such as lactate, that build after severe activity, allowing for faster recovery.
This is particularly helpful in summer when the temperature rise and your looking for a way to cool off.
3. Make your space an ‘outdoor room’
When it comes to creating an outdoor spa, its not just about having the right wellbeing practises, its about creating the the right space for the summer season, your garden becomes an extension of your indoor space, where you’ll sit, eat and drink just as much as what you would do inside.
Gareth says: “There is no reason why you shouldn’t go the extra mile to make your garden truly feel like an extension to your indoor space. The addition of outdoor seating, rugs, fire pits and planting will make your outdoor space more inviting, whether it’s big or small. In effective, this will make you hot tub more appealing and cause less visual distraction.”
4. Hydrate to feel great
Whether you’re in a hot tub or on a sun lounger, its important in the warm weather to stay hydrated. Make sure that if you are drinking water, you infuse your drink with slices of cucumber, mint or fruit for a true, spa-like, touch. If you want to go the extra mile, integrated fridges are available in some outdoor kitchen sets.
Gareth adds: “While keeping your body hydrated, make sure you are keeping your skin hydrated too, summer is the time of year your skin is most prone to damage from UVs. Make sure that your skincare routine involves using products with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, lipids and fatty acids. Relaxing in your garden space after a long day is also the perfect time.”
5. Mindful meditation
It’s not just your surroundings that help create the tranquil feeling of being emerged in warm relaxing water. If you have a hot tub, get in a comfortable position, take a deep breath and let the warm water soothe you into a peaceful state. Practicing meditation can reduce stress, and combined with warm water therapy, you will have the perfect recipe for relaxation.
Gareth concludes: “The simplest type of meditations you can do are breathing techniques; take slow, long breaths, pushing out your stomach as you breathe out each time, if you are practicing your breathing techniques in your hot tub, enjoy the weightlessness of the water around you.”
