10 Things to Do in a Hot Tub by Yourself

Lucky enough to find yourself in a hot tub but don't have anyone to share the experience with? Great news! There are plenty of activities you can do to make the most of the experience.

If you're looking for inspiration, check out these 10 fun things to do in a hot tub by yourself.

1. Read a good book

A good story is one of the best ways to relax and escape the stress of daily life. Why sit inside on your couch when you could lie back in the hot tub and catch up on some reading?

If you're in the mood to read while the water bubbles around you, consider picking up a traditional hardback or paperback book, or go modern with a waterproof Kindle.

Just make sure that you find a dry spot to put your book or Kindle when you take a break. It's always a good idea to handle electronics with dry hands. Make sure that your phone, tablet, computer, or Kindle isn't plugged into a power source while you're handling it in the water.

2. Listen to music or a podcast

Another top-notch way to enhance your solo hot tub experience is to put on some music or your favorite podcast.

Pick whatever best matches your mood. It doesn't matter if it's indie, classical, country, or instrumental, or even a true-crime podcast. Taking this small step to align your mind with your body in the present can do wonders for your mood and relaxation.

If you're looking for some soothing musical inspiration, here are some relaxing ideas to get you started:

• Frédéric Chopin Nocturne op.9 No.2
• Claude Debussy Clair de Lune
• Antonio Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
• 3-hour Rain loop
• Erik Satie Gymnopédies
• John Barry Somewhere in Time

Being by yourself in the hot tub means that you can play your music in peace and avoid subjecting your ears to anyone else's music tastes.

3. Learn a language

Have you always wanted to learn French? Italian? Maybe Arabic or Mandarin Chinese?

Your hot tub time could be the perfect opportunity to practice listening (and even speaking, now that you have no one to overhear you!) while you soak up that new language. Learning a language through listening may even enhance your ability to pick up the language-listening skills faster.

If you're interested in learning a new language, check out these resources:

• Audible by Amazon. Even better, it's free on Alexa.
• Duolingo: the free, fun, and effective way to learn a language!
• Babbel is a language learning app that boasts a 90% success rate after only two months.

4. Watch a movie

Maybe you've wanted to catch up on your favorite show but haven't had the time. If you're in the hot tub, nothing can stop you now.

Technology makes it easy to watch your favorite episodes from your phone or iPad. If you want to go big, you could even set up an outdoor projector and turn the backyard into your own personal movie theater.

Grab some popcorn and you're good to go!

5. Hot tub aromatherapy

Top up your aquatic solitude with a dose of aromatherapy. It's true that the warm water and soothing jets might have already lulled you into a state of deep relaxation.

If you enjoy an extra special touch, light some aromatherapy candles or add some hot tub scents directly into the water for a truly next-level experience.

Just be careful to only use spa-safe products though, no essential oils in the water!

6. Meditate

Now that the pulsing jets are kneading away tension, meditation is another enjoyable way to occupy your time in the hot tub.

The warm water, soft music, or scented candles can help put you in the frame of mind to center yourself, let go of stress, improve focus, and engage in a deeper mind-body practice.

For an inspiring meditation playlist, try some of these:

• Andalusia Nights: Arabic Spanish Music
• Tibetan Healing Sounds
• Relaxing yoga music
• Hang Drum + Tabla

7. Do water yoga or exercise

Have you always wanted to try aquatic fitness or yoga but found it difficult to exercise with other people in the way?

Water workouts are gentle on your joints and a great way to soothe pain or tension. Now's your chance to break out the moves and get your endorphins flowing.

Did you know that you can get weighted aquatic fitness equipment that can be used in hot tubs? I actually wrote an article all about hot tub exercise equipment (along with some workout ideas).

If yoga is more your thing, check out my guide to hot tub yoga.

8. Catch up with a friend

We get it. Life is crazy busy these days. It can feel hard to find time to connect with the important people in your life.

If you're enjoying leaning back in the hot tub, but could use some company, try calling a friend or family member to let them know that you care. Just a few minutes of genuine connection can promote feelings of wellbeing for hours to come.

9. Wildlife watch

You'd be surprised how many living creatures come and go throughout our daily lives and spaces. Who knew that our hot tubs are the perfect viewing platform for animals going about their business?

During the day, see how many different birds you can spot. If you're hot tubbing at night, look for bats or moths. Or even the occasional raccoon! They're sometimes around in my yard.

Bear in mind that they probably won't be interested in you or your hot tub, so don't panic if you see something moving around in the shadows. Just enjoy it. See how many birds and animals you can spot during your relaxing dip.

10. Stargaze

There's nothing like staring up at the night sky to help you feel genuine awe. Let daily stresses fade away as you stare deep into the universe's magic.

Of course you'll need a clear night to see stars properly. If it's too hazy or cloudy, save this activity for another time.

The night sky is often clearest on cold nights—which also happens to be the perfect time to jump in your hot tub! It's the perfect contrast to the bubbling hot water.

Why hot tub alone?

There are plenty of reasons you might consider jumping in your hot tub all alone. It's the perfect opportunity for self care, and a real chance to get some much needed "you" time.

If you're a social animal, it can be a good chance to reflect on what's going on in your life and let the hot tub lift your spirits. Or maybe after a long day full of work or kids, perhaps all you want is some quiet time to yourself.

The best part about doing fun things in a hot tub by yourself is that you are in control of your own enjoyment. You can do what you want, when you want, for as long as you want, without anyone offering input or advice. For someone living in a fast-paced world, this might be just what you need.

Final thoughts

Finding yourself alone in a hot tub might soon become one of your favorite experiences. Whether you're an introvert, a busy parent, or have a hectic daily schedule, taking some quiet and relaxing time alone can help bring us back to ourselves.

Whatever your reason for enjoying a solo soak, I hope these ideas have inspired you with some new ways to relax in your hot tub.