If you are dealing with chronic insomnia -- that is, sleep regularly of substandard quality or quantity that negatively affects your waking hours for more than a month -- the edict to just relax until sleep comes can be both unwelcome and frustrating. After all, if sleep was simply mind-over-matter, you would have been playing zen music and covering yourself in a four-inch-thick layer of lavender-scented lotion. But there may be a possible solution you haven't tried yet, and it involves a large fixture within your own home. If you're curious about the benefits of walk in tubs for insomnia, then here's what you need to know.
They mentally relax you
Walk in tubs are far more spacious and less hassle than normal tubs, with their wide-open legroom and their seat that's far more comfortable than a hard porcelain floor. Allowing yourself a long bath about an hour before bedtime won't just release stress from your body -- although that is a big plus -- but also allow your brain time to relax and process, getting it ready for sleep. Take this mental relaxation one step further and shut off all artificial lights, allowing lit candles to break up the darkness. The combination of warm water and low light can help signal your brain that it's time to start producing sleep hormones.
They soothe aches and pains
Chronic insomnia can amplify the aches and pains that come from living, as your body has no time to repair and heal itself. But you don't have the time nor money to go get a massage every night to try to repair yourself. Luckily, walk in tubs, like those from Twin City Stair Lifts, come equipped with a few things a normal tub doesn't, and one of those is high-powered water jets, which act like a masseuse, kneading your muscles and joints and ridding you of built up tension and aches.
They allow you to do things you love
When you're suffering from insomnia, one of the most common thoughts running around in your head is "when will I have the time and energy to do what I want to do?" But walk in tub therapy, which won't stop others in the house from using the shower, allows you a chunk of your day you can use for whatever you want.
Obviously, more active and/or delicate hobbies like jogging or calligraphy will be hard or even impossible to do during your tub time, but hobbies like reading, solving logic puzzles or number puzzles (like Sudoku), or even cross-stitching can be done in the tub, allowing you not only to relax and heal, but also to boost the endorphins in your brain by doing something you love. The better your mood, the less likely you'll stress about getting to sleep, and the better the possibility of a little shut-eye -- finally.
Share13 October 2015
Seniors are like any other specialized group of people. They need services specific to their needs. Everything from nutrition to housekeeping to travel is different for seniors, and the services they receive should reflect that. I am a mental health care provider, and I work exclusively with people over the age of 65. My goal is to help educate the general population about the special needs of seniors and to inspire people to make their homes, businesses and lives more acceptable to the older generations. Seniors deserve our care and attention, and I hope that I can show others how to provide it.