Whether your family is large or small, whether you have young kids or grown kids, spending quality time together is a gift that keeps on giving. It takes a lot of hard work, of course. But even with so many demands on your family’s time and attention it can be done. Often, all that is needed is a creative reason to bring people together.

If you are a grandparent, perhaps you know what a challenge it can be to keep your grandchildren engaged. Portable gadgets and social media, while designed to make connection easier, often get in the way of personal interaction. While this may only be a periodic frustration now, it may become a chronic problem in the years to come. Research has found that, over time, the health effects of these social barriers are more than a little concerning.

According to a scholarly review published by PLOS Medicine, a journal of the Public Library of Science, “Current evidence… indicates that the quantity and/or quality of social relationships in industrialized societies are decreasing.” The researchers added that, “despite increases in technology and globalization that would presumably foster social connections, people are becoming increasingly more socially isolated.” Researchers evaluated studies involving 308,000 participants averaging 64 years of age who were studied for an average of 7-1/2 years. They found: “The influence of social relationships on the risk of death are comparable with well-established risk factors… such as smoking and alcohol consumption and exceed the influence of other risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity.” In other words, social isolation is a high-risk lifestyle. Though it may be as difficult as quitting smoking, breaking out of isolation can be just as beneficial for your health.

For a number of reasons, water has a way of bringing people together. Perhaps it reminds you of some of your fondest memories as a child. Owning a swim spa creates a compelling reason for families to reunite, and is especially conducive to lighthearted conversation. And because smartphones, tablets and laptops don’t mix well with water, it is a perfect excuse to put the gadgets away and focus on human connection. More often than not, your ATV will become a gathering place to nurture what matters most. Whether than involves parents reengaging with their children, old friends reuniting, or empty nesters rekindling their romance.

Depending on the time of day or season of the year, you can curate a variety of fun settings and themes. Weekend pool-party barbeques, after-dinner soaks while the sun sets, or skinny dipping beneath a starry night. Create the perfect ambiance in a snap with spa therapy options like aromatherapy, chromotherapy and music therapy. Enjoy the satisfaction of your guests as you watch their aches, pains and stress melt away.

To experience the benefits of swim spa ownership, contact your local ATV Dealer to discover which swim spa model is right for you.