Sleep Health Journal Article Highlights Effects of Hot-Tub Bathing Before Bed
Contact: Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
skohn@thensf.org
Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2025) — New research published in the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) Sleep Health journal shows that hot tub bathing before bedtime significantly improves both objective and subjective sleep quality in older adults.
Association Between Before-Bedtime Hot-Tub Bathing and Sleep Quality in Real-Life Settings Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults (Tai, Obayashi, Yamagami and Saeki) found older adults who spent time in a hot tub before bed had better objective sleep quality and fell asleep faster than those that did not. They also had lower odds of reporting poor sleep quality and show greater heat dissipation around sleep onset, as assessed using skin temperature.
Hot-tub bathing promotes sleep through enhanced heat dissipation, the body’s natural cooling process that facilitates sleep. “Our findings suggest that the relationship between bathing duration and water temperature is nuanced. Immersion durations under 18 minutes and water temperatures below 107°F (41.7°C) showed the most consistent sleep benefits. This provides clear guidance for individuals looking to optimize their nighttime routines” said lead author Yoshiaki Tai, MD, PhD.
“Sleep Health is dedicated to publishing rigorous research that advances our understanding of sleep behaviors and interventions that can improve population health,” said Susan Redline, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Health. “This study exemplifies both the journal and NSF’s mission to provide evidence-based insights that can directly inform daily practices and benefit both the general public and specific populations who may be at higher risk for sleep disturbances.”
“The National Sleep Foundation is committed to helping people practice healthy sleep behaviors that can make a real difference in their lives,” noted Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs, National Sleep Foundation. “A personalized wind-down routine is one of our core nighttime recommendations for becoming your Best Slept Self®, and this study provides important evidence for incorporating warm bathing into our nighttime routines. It’s a good example of how a simple, enjoyable evening ritual can have measurable benefits for sleep health.”
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About the National Sleep Foundation
There’s only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. In its 35 years, NSF has promoted sleep health through expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, tech standards, and easy-to-use tips and tools to improve sleep.
For more information about NSF, visit www.theNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org