(BPT) – On average, working adults spend less than an hour per day socializing and relaxing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s American Time Use Survey. Yet a host of research – and common sense – tells us that spending time together in a social, relaxing way is essential to building and maintaining healthy relationships.
Recreating that spark or special connection with your spouse or significant other, free from the distractions of everyday life, isn’t as difficult as you may think. The answer can actually be found in your own backyard when you add a hot tub to your outdoor living space.
The therapeutic benefits of hot tubs are well documented – 79 percent of owners say they value the therapeutic health benefits their hot tubs present, according to a survey by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) – but many owners point to another significant benefit: the ability to spend more time with their partners.
Seventy-seven percent of owners say their hot tub is one of the few things that can truly take them away from the day-to-day stresses of life and allow them to reconnect with their partner.
Here are three surprising ways hot tubs can add some spice to your relationship:
* No distractions
The relaxed atmosphere of a hot tub promotes meaningful interaction, owners reveal. Hot tub owners typically say they use their hot tubs as a way to connect, and 82 percent say they are extremely satisfied with the level of relaxation it provides. Relaxing together outdoors, enjoying nature and each other’s company without the distraction of ever-present digital devices, is a great way for couples to rediscover the things that drew them together in the first place.
* Stress soothing
Life can be pretty stressful. Countless studies tell us that too much stress is harmful on a number of levels – physically, mentally and socially. Common stressors such as money are leading causes of strife in marriages and even lead to divorce. The warm water and effervescence of hot tubs relieve stress and soothe sore muscles, allowing couples to refocus on what’s most important in their lives: each other.
* The vacation effect
Something about vacation spells romance for couples; more than one getaway has led to a new addition to the family nine months later. While taking a trip more than once or twice a year isn’t always practical – the average American family spends about $1,180 per person on vacation travel according to an American Express survey – a hot tub can create the vacation effect in your own backyard, and allow you to experience that special feeling of romance every day.
Spicing up your relationship begins with the right tub, and finding the right hot tub starts with a professional you can trust. APSP Certified Professionals adhere to the highest standards of service, performance and ethical conduct. Visit the APSP website to find a professional near you.
