Friday 14th October 2022
Tucking one into bed for five or ten minutes before slipping in yourself is a great way to prep for the perfect night’s sleep. Hot water bottles are also great for staying snug when cuddling up on the sofa or for keeping warm in your sleeping bag while out on a camping trip. They are also great for helping children to get to sleep or giving them (or you) a bit of extra comfort when they’re unwell.
As well as being great bed warmers, the heat from hot water bottles can help to stimulate circulation and blood flow in the body. This type of heat therapy can give pain relief for persistent muscle aches or joint pains, such as neck and shoulder pain or arthritis. Plus, this extra blood flow can relieve stress and anxiety to help you relax or fall asleep more peacefully. All of these can be great for your short and long term health.
How does a hot water bottle work?
A hot water bottle is a rubber or thermoplastic bottle with a hollow inner void into which hot water can be poured and stored. A screw cap lid is used to completely envelope the water from the surrounding air.
The rubber or thermoplastic bottle has insulating properties which prevent all the heat from the hot water escaping right away. Instead the heat is only able to escape gradually through the bottle and travels by convection to the surrounding space outside, enabling the user to benefit from a sustained release of heat over a long period of time.
Over time the hot water in the bottle cools down as more heat energy is released and dissipated until eventually it reaches the same temperature as the surrounding room. At this point there is no longer a difference in temperature driving the heat from inside the bottle to the outside environment and it is time to refill your hot water bottle - if you haven’t already done so.