Top 5 Health Benefits of Sauna
We all know that a session in a sauna can be a nice and relaxing experience, but did you know that sauna bathing has many health benefits? The relaxing heat of a sauna can have a positive impact on both your mental and physical health. In this blog we’ll look into the top 5 health benefits of Sauna.
In Scandinavian countries, such as Finland or Norway, saunas have been used for hundreds of years and are regarded as a social activity that is a very important part of their culture. There are many public saunas, and it is common for people to have a sauna at home where they can gather with friends.
Sauna is used slightly differently here in the UK. Whilst they can be used for socialising, they are primarily used in gyms or health spas to be included as part of health and fitness routines.
Different types of sauna
There are many different kinds of sauna including wood-burning saunas, electric saunas, smoke saunas, and even personal home saunas. These saunas can be broken down into three different categories of sauna style:
Dry heat sauna – Dry heat saunas, such as traditional Finnish saunas, use heated rocks to heat the sauna room. Water can then be splashed on the rocks to produce steam. This process is called “löyly” in Finnish.
Infrared sauna – Infrared saunas are the most modern form of sauna and use infrared light waves to heat a user’s body temperature.
Steam saunas – These saunas are not as hot as other dry heat saunas, but they use more steam which makes them much more humid. These saunas are great for respiratory issues.
5 Health Benefits of Sauna
A sauna session has many potential health benefits for the body, skin and mind. So, if you are ready to see the benefits of including a sauna session in your health and fitness routine, let’s take a look into the top 5 health benefits of sauna below:
Muscle recovery
If you have had a hefty workout, taking some time out in a sauna is a great way to help with muscle recovery.
This is because saunas help to relax muscles and soothe aches or pains in muscles and joints. The heat of a sauna causes the body temperature to rise which dilates the blood vessels, increasing blood circulation, which then speeds up the healing process.
The heat of the sauna can also promote muscle relaxation to reduce muscular tension in the body and helps to reduce lactic acid as well.
Clears pores
The heat of the sauna helps to open up all the pores in the body, and as your body is trying to cool your skin down, more sweat is released. Sweating is an excellent way for your skin to remove toxins and clear pores.
The best way to benefit from this flush of dirt and toxins is to have a cold shower directly after your sauna session. This is to ensure you have cleaned off any dirt and to close up the pores to stop more dirt from re-entering!
It’s important to note that if you have a pre-existing skin condition, you should consult your doctor before using a sauna as the heat could worsen a condition.
Helps you to relax
Sauna use can boost blood circulation which can help you to relax and de-stress. The heat also helps to release endorphins which are the body’s “happy hormones”. Health fanatics will know that regular exercise can also release these hormones, but sometimes relaxing in a sauna is what you need instead of a cardio session!
Breathing in the air and focusing on your breathing is a great way to slow down and clear your mind as well.
Some saunas also offer essential oils which can help clear the mind as well such as lavender and chamomile.
Helps stave off illness
There are many studies to suggest that regular sauna use can actually help to improve your immune system.
As the body is exposed to higher temperatures, it creates more white blood cells more rapidly. These white blood cells are vital to fighting off illness and viruses such as colds or flu.
If you were experiencing congestion issues from a cold, the heat of a sauna can also help to relieve these symptoms.
Improves Heart Health
Regular sauna bathing can really help with cardiovascular health as the heat opens up blood vessels to improve blood circulation.
Studies have shown that regular sauna sessions can help to reduce the risk of developing a fatal cardiovascular disease along with reducing the risk of stroke and hypertension.
Regular cardiovascular exercises are the best way to improve cardiovascular health, so using a sauna shouldn’t be a replacement. But if you use a sauna in conjunction with a workout, you should notice you can work out a little harder and even recover faster.
Risks when using a sauna
Even though Saunas have many benefits, there are some hazards to using a sauna if you are not fully prepared, or if you have any underlining conditions.
Here are some points to consider if you plan to use a sauna. If any of these apply to you, we suggest you speak to your GP before using a sauna.
- If you are pregnant
- If you have low or high blood pressure
- If you have a heart condition
- If you struggle with asthma or have breathing difficulty
