You’ve probably asked yourself how long should I stay in a hot tub or wondered if you’re staying in a hot tub too long. As a general rule, the maximum amount of time to safely soak in a hot tub is 15 minutes in 104° F (40° C) water and up to 30 minutes if the water temperature is between 95-100° F. If you’re a healthy adult 45 to 60 minutes is considered an absolute maximum and anything over an hour is considered risky. 

How Long Can You Safely Stay in a Hot Tub? 

Ideally you should aim to be in your hot tub between 15 and 30 minutes. Depending on factors like outdoor air and water temperature, and your overall health, you might be able to extend your soak to 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you can always re-enter your hot tub later. If you prefer longer soaks, you can turn the temperature down; the closer the water temp is to your body temp (around 98.6°) the longer you can safely soak.

If it’s really cold outside your body will cool more quickly, especially if you’re not fully submerged. If you’re only waist deep in the water, then there’s plenty of exposed skin around your core to help dissipate the accumulating heat. On a really hot day, you may overheat much more quickly and may want to consider a lower water temp and a shorter soak. 

While we don’t want to put a limit on your fun, we do recommend taking a break from your backyard retreat every 15 to 30 minutes. These guidelines may change based on the outside temperature, your health on any given day and other factors, but these numbers provide a good place to start. Ultimately how long you soak depends on your personal comfort level. 

What Happens if You Stay in a Hot Tub Too Long?

While there are many benefits associated with hot tubs, improper use can negatively impact your health. Since the water in a hot tub is a higher temperature than your normal internal temperature, staying in a hot tub too long can cause you to overheat and experience symptoms like light-headedness, headache, dizziness, or nausea. If you notice any of these signs, get out of the tub and into a cool, dry area immediately. 

Unless you keep a blood pressure monitor on, it may be difficult to know if you are experiencing a dip in blood pressure. However, just like when it begins to overheat, your body will send out warning signals when your blood pressure starts to dive. Many of the symptoms are the same as those associated with overheating: dizziness, fatigue, nausea and fainting. If you notice any of these signs, take a break from your tub. 

Making sure that you’re hydrated and continuing to drink water while soaking, as well as limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages, can help ensure an enjoyable and safe soaking experience. You can soak less submerged in the water and keep your water temp low if you want to stay in longer, but pay attention to any changes in your body that may indicate it’s time to get out and take a break. 

If you have any questions about using your tub, give us a call at 970-879-4390 or drop us a note. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about getting the most out of your spa.