Some people are at their most relaxed when there’s nothing to do. It’s just their undisturbed thoughts, a rollicking hot tub, and the crisp backyard air—absolute bliss.
However, there are other people that can only sit still for so long. They need an activity. Something that doesn’t distract from the relaxing hot tub experience, per se; instead, an activity that elevates the experience. An activity that harnesses all of that tranquility, focus, and relaxation, and channels it into a different form of enjoyment.
That’s our topic of conversation today. As hot tub lovers ourselves (obviously!), we here at The Cover Guy have logged countless hours in the spa, during which we’ve experimented with virtually every activity under the sun. From stretches of reading to yoga stretches, from light grazing to stargazing, these are our top picks for hot tub-related leisure activities.
Escaping It All with a Good Book
The first activity on the list is a simple one: reading a good book. It might sound obvious, but hot tubbing and reading go together like a pair in a romantic novel. The easy-going feel of the hot tub lends itself beautifully to exploring the inner worlds of long novels, short story collections, and non-fiction volumes. And the quiet white noise of the jets allows you to focus on the stories.
Here are a few tips to maximize your reading experience in the spa:
- Invest in a waterproof e-reader or protective cases for traditional books. These aren’t hard to find online and are relatively inexpensive.
- Set a timer to remind you to get out of the tub periodically. From one reader to another, we understand how engrossing a good book can be; setting a timer keeps you safe from overextended soaks.
- Pick a genre that fits the mood of the spa. Light fiction, nature writing, and brisk short stories are all classic choices.
Your hot tub is the reading nook you never knew you had. Make sure to keep a warm towel and robe on hand for long circuits in and out of the tub. You can find cozy towels and more in the spa accessories section of our website.
Mindful Meditation and Breathing Exercises
If you’ve ever tried meditating in the frenzied atmosphere of a family home, you know how challenging it can be. In a hot tub, however, you're already halfway toward mindfulness. The sereneness of the setting and physiological calming effects of the hot water put you in the ideal headspace for meditation.
Start with a straightforward breathing routine. This YouTube video is a fantastic primer for the inexperienced. Next, focus on the comings and goings of your thoughts, trying not to get attached to any single one. Your thoughts should be like leaves floating past in the hot tub! Then, marvel at how your worries and frustrations seemingly melt away, rising into the air like steam.
For your efforts, you’ll be rewarded with a whole new outlook. Research suggests that regular, mindful meditation can hone your focus, relax your stress signals, and even improve your brain on a neurochemical level. If you want to kick that mindfulness up a notch, consider incorporating aromatherapy into your practice.
Exercising, Hydrotherapy, and Hot Tub Yoga (Yes, Hot Tub Yoga!)
The combo of hot water and jets acts as a relaxant that's good for both flexibility and muscle recovery. That's excellent news for those recovering from strain or sports-related injury. It's also great news for those who want to combine their fitness regimen with a comfortable dip in the spa; that flexibility and increased range of motion allow you to experiment with new stretches, exercises, and hydrotherapeutic activities.
Start with some light, gentle stretches to relieve any lingering tension you accumulated during the day. Basic stretches like calf, hamstring, quadricep, and neck stretches should sufficiently loosen you up—if you feel stiff at first, simply let the hot water work its relaxing magic before stretching.
Next, review The Cover Guy’s handy list of exercises to do in a hot tub. In the article linked to the left, we explore how to execute torso crunches, flutter kicks, squats, calf raises, and many more exercises safely from the comfort of your spa. These exercises work up a healthy sweat but are low-impact enough to reduce pressure on your joints.
Finally, consider yoga—yes, yoga. Hot tub yoga is a trendy way to combine everyone’s favorite mindfulness exercises with the wellness benefits of a spa. Think of it like a wetter version of hot yoga! To get started, learn a few asanas (yoga poses) suitable for partial water submersion. This YouTube channel is dedicated to the practice and posts several helpful beginner videos.
Finally, remember to get out of the spa and rest periodically, ensuring you remain hydrated throughout your circuit.
Playing “Ping Pong Panic”
We’re not sure how leisurely this fast-paced game is, but “ping pong panic” is a whole lot of fun. Basically, it involves unleashing five ping-pong balls into your tub with the jets on. The objective is to dodge the ping pong balls as the jets quickly push them around the tub while keeping two feet in the tub at all times. If you come into contact with a ball, you're eliminated from the tub and cannot re-enter until the round ends.
It's a cutthroat, frantic game that kids in particular enjoy. It's not your first idea for a calming soak, but nevertheless, it's a family-friendly activity that gets kids excited about the backyard spa.
Sunset Watching and Stargazing
As evening slowly turns into night, nature treats spa-goers to its own version of a double feature. First, you get a spectacular view of the sunset from your backyard. Use this time to reflect on the day, focus on the beautiful colors of the sky, and perhaps incorporate one of the other activities on this list (meditation, exercise, etc.).
Then, wait for the stars to emerge from the ensuing darkness. One of our favorite activities when night falls over the hot tub is to break out a stargazing app. There are several apps, like Google Sky, SkySafari, and Star Tracker that allow you to locate and determine various constellations and celestial events. It's a surprisingly engaging activity (kids love it, too) that makes you feel small—in the best way possible.
Hosting an Appy Hour
Happy hours and appy hours are more fun with a hot tub. Consider hosting hot tub parties that showcase small bites of food and creative refreshments. By combining delicate bites and high-class beverages with your hot tub, you can create a classy atmosphere reminiscent of a fine luxury cruise or five-star resort.
To go the extra mile, decorate your spa space in advance. Set the mood with soft, warm lighting. Hang tasteful decorations that follow seasonal hot tub themes. Craft a playlist that fits the vibe (more on that below). And encourage your guests to nibble, mingle, sip, and laugh together.
Music, Podcasts or TV
Music can do so much for your soak, depending on what you choose. Soft, ambient hot tub music can create an immersive experience that doubles down on the relaxation. Jazzy instrumentals that mimic the rollicking motion of the jets can add pep and swagger to a classy hot tub party. Nature sounds can increase your sense of connection with your surroundings. And a good old-fashioned pop or rock playlist can signal that the party has truly started.
If you are enjoying a solo dip, consider pressing play on an engrossing podcast or audiobook. Podcasts can be a fantastic opportunity to catch up on the day’s news, follow an audio meditation guide, connect with your interests, or just—you know—learn more about Ancient Rome. Whatever floats your boat.
Lastly, we’ve met some spa owners who have decked out their backyard space with a full entertainment setup. Some owners permanently install their all-weather TVs outside, while others invest in a transportable solution that they plug in at a safe distance from the tub. If you’ve ever wanted to combine game day or movie night with a relaxing dip, it’s a worthwhile project!
Writing, Journaling and Doodling
Hot tubs help facilitate increased blood flow. It’s one of the reasons they’re so good for your heart and blood pressure. But that increased flow has another unexpected benefit: It gets the creative juices flowing.
Soaking can help unlock creativity and inspiration, at the same time as it pushes away stress and other creative hindrances. Capitalize on this freeing feeling by trying your hand at creative writing, journaling or sketching. You can find notebooks and sketchpads specifically designed for wet environments. However, carefully hanging over the dry side of the tub should work fine too.
Recap the day, write goals for tomorrow, concoct a poem about the sunset, or write that hard-boiled detective novel you've always wanted to write… whatever your creativity looks like, try it out in the hot tub.
To recap, hot tub soaks can be about more than just isolated relaxation. They can move you (literally and figuratively). They can transport you. They can help you connect with nature, art, or your thoughts. They can be the basis of a family game or swanky party. And they can turn even the most basic activities into fun, relaxing adventures.
