Pressed for Time?

Nobody enjoys being late, but for some of us it just comes along with being human… especially on Monday. Every morning in my house reminds me of a movie in fast-motion. One minute I am laying in bed snoozing my alarm, and an hour later I have gotten myself ready, the kids ready, packed lunches, taken the dogs out, made breakfast, drank 2 cups of coffee, dropped the kids at school, and am rushing to make it to work on time. Needless to say, it’s a miracle if I make it to work any earlier than 9:05am.

The Back Burner

Nobody likes to be rushed, but when we are we tend to put less noticeable things on the back burner. For example, I am sure there has been a time when you were planning to put spa chemicals in your hot tub, but were in a pinch and decided to use your time to cook for the family instead.

It’s vital to stay on top of the upkeep of your spa maintenance. There are agents and treatments that can be put into your hot tub with regular maintenance that can keep the water crystal clear. If you can add this chemical as a normal hot tub maintenance feature, you will enjoy crystal clear water and always be a step or two ahead of the hard water calcium build up that can turn even the cleanest water cloudy. If I have ever given good advice in my lifetime, here it is: always keep a backup supply. When you’re crunched for time like many of us are in this crazy world, a little extra stock won’t hurt anybody. I know you will be glad you did!

Buying a hot tub is a great value for entertainment and health purposes. Why not complement your spa with additional accessories that can greatly enhance the enjoyment? Consider the following suggestions.

Hot Tub Cover

For safety, maintenance, and cleaning reasons, purchasing a hot tub cover can be considered more of a necessity. Covers keep out unwanted bugs, debris, and people (just like pools, having neighborhood kids “hot tub hop” can be a legality issue). In addition to a cover, consider purchasing a lock, which truly keeps all unwanted parties out.

A cover lifter can also facilitate hot tub security and use. Hot tub cover lifters can be attractive, efficient, and come with extras such as towel hooks.

Patio furniture

Many people purchase hot tubs to augment the ambiance of their yards, decks, or patios. Patio furniture such as gazebo bars, patio benches, and round tables with chairs can complement the aesthetic look and entertainment offered in an owner’s yard. You can even build your furniture around your hot tub which is the center piece.

Accessibility Help

Hot tub use is not limited to those with long and short-term injuries or mobility issues after implementing a hot tub lift. Pool and hot tub lifts enable all owners to enjoy their hot tub spa whenever they wish.

Aromatherapy

Many spa owners supplement the relaxation their hot tub grants them by implementing aromatherapy beads. Aromatherapy is championed by many in regards to facilitating well being and a calming experience.

Take advantage of the many accessories that are available on SpaShopper.com.

You know you’ll be glad you did!

Some hate it, some call it a Hallmark Holiday, and some love it (no pun intended!) So where did this holiday come from?

Did You Know..?

• Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on St. Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future spouse.
• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression “to wear your heart on your sleeve.”

What’s with Chocolate?

• Casanova, well known as “The World’s Greatest Lover,” ate chocolate to make him virile.
• More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine’s Day.
• Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine’s Day in the U.S.

Who Bought Your Flowers?

• 15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.

Take a Soak!

If you are stumped on what to get your sweetie, Scrub the tub, fire up the spa jets,  light some candles, adjust the water temperature, put some mood music on, add some aromatherapy scent, turn on the tub lights… You’ll be glad you did!

McDonald’s announced last week that it has stopped using ammonium hydroxide in the production of its hamburgers. This chemical, used in fertilizers, household cleaners and even homemade explosives, was also used to prepare McDonalds’ hamburger meat. While this announcement has been headlining all over the place, you may (or may not) want to know about some other disturbing additives being used in foods that you may eat daily.

It’s All About Better Ingredients

Everywhere we look: Restaurants, TV, billboards, product labels, grocery stores. Go Green, All Natural, Organic, 100% Real is the new way to go. This should not only apply to what you put into your body, but also what you put your body into! (Like your Spa water!)

So, How Often Should I Change the Spa Water?

 Every person who enters your spa will leave behind sweat,dead skin and body oils (This could be referred to as the Hot Tub Industry’s “Pink Slime”) Aside from the gross factor, changing the spa water will keep this type of gunk from building up on vital spa parts. This is even more crucial if you have a large bather load.

Moral of the story, folks… Stay ahead of the game, drain your water regularly, and stay away from the Pink Slime. You will be glad you did!

With the holidays just passing, there is always lots of family around. Often the hot tub will be used by others who may not know their way around a spa. Here are five ways a hot tub host can prepare for guests.

1.       Keep your spa chemicals up – If you are expecting a heavy bather load (hot tub party!), its best to boost your spa sanitizer levels in preparation. There is nothing worse than an outbreak of hot tub rash (folliculitis) to ruin a holiday.

2.       Keep the spa temperature below 100 degrees – This little regarded tip is extremely important for small children, pregnant women or anyone with heart problems or high blood pressure.

3.       Check your slippery spots – Just because you are accustomed to navigating around your hot tub, doesn’t mean your guests are. A mat at the entry/exits points and runners in the walkways will help to avoid a nasty fall. A set of wide hot tub steps will give the boost needed to get over the edge and into the water.

4.       Don’t overdo it! – Too much alcohol can ruin a nice get together. Remember the effects of alcohol are four times stronger while soaking in a spa.

5.       Stay hydrated – Keep lots of hydrating beverages available to your guests. Children especially will need to be monitored for dehydration. Be sure they get lots of fluids.

The holidays are a great time to get together. Take time out to make sure your hot tub is a safe and  fun part of your time together. You’ll be glad you did!

As Will Farrell and Jim Carey display here [www.funnyordie.com], the idea of lifeguard keeping a diligent watch over your hot tub is pretty silly. However, the need for safety cannot be ignored. Those who own a multi-person hot tub need to follow safety precautions just as much as those who own small-sized hot tubs. Here are some “lifeguarding” tips:

Hot Tub Safety Tip 1 – Keep Watch

Regardless of a user’s profile (they can be a ten-year-old music prodigy or your thirty-year-old son that still lives in the basement!), make sure those using the hot tub are supervised. Most people think of children in regards to water safety; ‘Adults’ are not immune to accidents – they need supervision too.

Hot Tub Safety Tip 2 – Limit or Ban Drinking

We want our hot tub customers to enjoy themselves in their own fashion, but encourage them to drink responsibly when using their tubs. Being in a hot tub for some time can make a person feel dizzy or become lightheaded. Those symptoms, in conjunction with drinking, may not mix well with safety.

Hot Tub Safety Tip 3 – Be Aware of the Tub’s Structure

All hot tubs are not created equally. Shapes, sizes, depth of water are all things that vary among different hot tubs. Make users aware of the location of drains, jets, filters, and other elements of your hot tub.

Hot Tub Safety Tip 4 – Respect Mother Nature

The chances of getting hit by lightning are slim- but it does happen!  We would rather see you win the lottery, so we encourage you to please stay out of the hot tub before, during, and immediately after a storm.

Hot Tub Safety Tip 5 – Be Prepared

Keep a first-aid kit somewhere close to your hot tub. In addition, knowing CPR would not be a bad thing. It is best to seek certification!

Have you ever wondered why one or two drinks while sitting in a hot tub makes you feel like you drank the bottle?  Does the next day leave you feeling like the day after your first freshman fraternity party?  Alcohol in moderation can ease tension and help the body relax, but when it comes to hot tubbing, you may be in for more than you bargained for.

Many people have come to know and love the benefits of owning a hot tub.  Using one regularly becomes a time of reflection and relaxation.   But, did you know that the consumption of alcohol while soaking can be dangerous?

Sitting in a spa will change the way the alcohol is processed through the body.  At elevated temperatures, your blood flow is increased and the hot tub is acting as a stimulant.  Blood pressure drops and the body becomes relaxed.  Alcohol in moderation can provide some of the same effects, but mixing the two can be deadly.

Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.  Once the blood vessels dilate in the stomach, the alcohol enters the blood stream at an accelerated rate.  This means that the effects of alcohol are felt much faster than normal.  Lower blood pressure will slow down the body’s ability to process alcohol.  A small glass of wine can feel like a few shots of whiskey.

Overall, the effects of alcohol will come faster and last much longer than under normal conditions.  Be sure to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water or fruit juices.

There are many ways to reduce stress.  Whether a glass of wine at the end of a long day or a quiet time of reflection in the hot tub, we should always take the time to slow down and rest.  Moderation is the key.  Be good to yourself, have a soak.

You’ll be glad you did!

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