Warm & wonderful

Why do warm baths make you feel so good? When you soak in water warmer than your body temperature, your body tries to cool you by dilating the blood vessels so that you give off heat to the atmosphere around you. This increases circulation and oxygen to the parts of your body that are immersed. And that makes muscles relax, soothing your aches and pains.

However, water that's too hot--104 degrees F or higher--can stress your cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure, elevating heart rate and shifting blood away from vital organs. That's why people with high blood pressure or other heart conditions are advised against using hot tubs and saunas, and others should relax in them for only 10-15 minutes.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group