Buy a Hot Tub or Take a Family Vacation?
The family vacation is often paramount to happiness. And when it comes to happiness, it’s different for every person. But, generally speaking, happiness is tied to our connection to other people such as the ones we love.
Friends, family and community top the list for major happiness factors.
We know that vacations make us happy, and if you’ve ever soaked in a hot tub, you know that makes you happy, too.
So, today, we ask the question, “Should I buy a hot tub or take a family vacation?”
Let’s look at hot tubs.
Hot Tubs and Happiness
Our hot tub owners tell us that their hot tubs are the place they enjoy relaxing. They also tell us that they strengthen their relationships with not only their spouses, but their children, while soaking in a hot tub.
A spa is a great place for family togetherness and a perfect spot for engaging conversation. Without electronics such as smartphones and the televisions, hot tubs have no distractions, so there’s plenty of time for talking.
Hot tubs are perfect for together time and outdoor enjoyment. They’re the perfect spot to build relationships and a lifetime of memories.
Vacation Perks
Next, let’s look at some typical vacation perks – the ones most families are looking for:
- Time to relax
- Distraction-free time to reconnect with friends and family
- Social time
- Stress relief
- A time for reflection
- Outdoor enjoyment
Finally, vacations can bring about all of these perks, but it’s only for a short time. A hot tub, on the other hand, can provide these perks year-round.
The Bottom Line
Take a look at this chart provided by our friends at Hot Spring spas as they lay out the comparison between hot tub and vacation very well.
| Enjoyment Frequency | Many Hot Spring® customers use their spas daily. A high quality hot tub can last 15 to 20 years or longer with proper maintenance. | One to two-week duration once yearly. Memories can last a lifetime, although the experience itself is short. |
| Wellness | Daily or at least weekly opportunity for relaxation, meditation, connection and socialization with family, friends and neighbors. | Awesome for the one- to two-week period, but over quickly. |
| Socialization/Community | Consistent opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbors for a fun way to talk in a relaxing, natural setting. | Family and friends can join up on vacation. Great, but short-lived, fun. Out-of-pocket costs for all participants. Logistics can be a hassle for the organizer. |
| Connection to Loved Ones | It’s tough to bring a smartphone, tablet or television into the tub. The burble of the bubbles fills in silences, giving soakers opportunities to discuss matters at their leisure. | Good opportunity to connect in stimulating new settings if friends and family members take out the headphones, put down the phones and stop to enjoy the experience. |
| Dedicated Relaxation | Abundant opportunities to enjoy the hot tub completely alone for self-determined time period. | Opportunities to relax but also pressure to take advantage of everything the location has to offer: landmarks, museums, hikes, shows, athletic adventures, restaurants and more. |
| Meditation / Reflection time | There is nothing like warm water and jets to access the subconscious and reflect on emotional and physical wellness. Practiced daily meditation is proven to make you happier over your lifetime. | Vacation brings clear-eyed perspective back home. It also provides the necessary distance to re-evaluate goals and determine what matters. The problem is that resolutions discovered while away can be lost in frenetic home life. |
| Time in Nature | Regular time in your hot tub outside in nature attunes you to the trees, clouds, birds, insects and other critters in your own backyard. This awareness helps you feel part of a greater world, a notion that eases stress and improves happiness. |
Final Thoughts on Your Family Vacation
So, should you buy a hot tub or take a family vacation? That depends on your goals, but we do know that hot tubs lead to increased long-term happiness.
In our opinion, the hot tub beats the vacation because it helps you grow great relationships on a consistent basis in a lovely outdoor environment.
Ready to look at your hot tub options? Contact us today!
