Sauna bathing may be more than just a relaxing experience. It has some well-studied (and quite profound) benefits including:
1. Saunas reduce stress and improve overall health and wellness
Relaxation is one of the common reasons people pursue sauna use, without ever considering the vast benefits. But stress reduction alone is perhaps one of the most important benefits that sauna has to offer because stress impacts our health in profoundly negative ways.
When we sit in the sauna, we take time for ourselves and decompress. We connect with other people, or we sit in silence, but we’re not in the go-go-go mentality that drives many of our modern stress pathways.
The heat from the sauna relaxes the body’s muscles, improves circulation, and stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s all-natural “feel good” chemical, and their release provides a truly wonderful “after sauna glow.”
The stress adaptations that occur due to the heat-shock proteins in the body also help you become more resilient outside of the sauna.
The heat in the sauna also helps us to relax by regulating the level of cortisol (stress hormone) in our blood. When cortisol levels are chronically elevated, various health markers like the immune system are suppressed. Not only does the sauna help reduce cortisol levels, but it also helps boost serotonin levels, the happy hormone! It’s no wonder you feel amazing after a sauna session.
2. Sauna aids in recovery after intense physical activity. Saunas relax muscles and soothe aches/pains in both muscles and joints.
Under the high heat provided by a sauna, the body releases endorphins. Endorphins can have a mild, enjoyable “tranquilizing effect” and the ability to minimize the pain of joint and muscle soreness other than an intense physical workout. The body temperature also rises from the heat of the sauna, which causes blood vessels to dilate, therefore increasing blood circulation.
This increased blood flow speeds up the body’s natural healing process by getting fresh blood (oxygen and nutrients) to the muscles. After participating in physical sports, use the heat and/or steam of a sauna to promote muscle relaxation by helping to reduce muscle tension and eliminate lactic acid and/or other toxins that may be present.
3. Saunas flush toxins via the sweating process
As humans living in the modern world, we as a whole do not sweat enough.
Sweat production is primarily designed to cool the body and is composed of 99% water. However, deep sweating in a sauna can help reduce levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, and chemicals – which are all toxins commonly absorbed just from interacting with our daily environments. As many health practitioners will agree, a big reason for the popularity of saunas is that they are one of the best ways to detoxify our bodies.
This is also why it is SO important to take a proper, soapy, shower after the sauna. Your sweat is filled with toxins, and giving it a good rinse after your last round in the sauna will prevent you from re-absorbing the junk you just sweat out!
4. Saunas improve brain health
A 20-year study conducted with more than 2,300 participants at the University of Eastern Finland by Dr. Jari Laukkanen and his colleagues revealed regular sauna use (4-7 times per week) at 176 degrees F for 19 minutes lowered the risk for both Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
The key with sauna and many of the long-term benefits is consistent use.
You can read the study here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2130724
5. Saunas can induce a deeper sleep
Firstly, sauna promotes various hormonal balances, including a drop in cortisol and a rise in endorphins like serotonin. Cortisol is an antagonist to melatonin (the sleep hormone), so dropping cortisol levels in the sauna helps ensure you can actually start making melatonin come nightfall. In addition, body temperatures, that become elevated in the late evening, fall at bedtime. A drop in core body temperature is actually required to fall and stay asleep. So getting heat exposure during the day can help regulate your temperature levels come nighttime.
6. Saunas can help fight illness
As the body is exposed to the heat of a sauna and steam (in the case of traditional saunas), it produces white blood cells more rapidly, which in turn helps to fight illnesses and helps to kill viruses. In addition, saunas can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from colds or allergies – especially when used with steam (tip: add eucalyptus to the water for added benefit and overall enjoyment). The steam vapor action helps to clear up unwanted congestion and is a wonderful aspect of the traditional Finnish sauna experience.
8. Sauna cleanses the skin
Heat bathing is one of the oldest beauty and/or health strategies in terms of cleansing one’s skin. When the body begins to produce sweat via deep sweating, the skin is then cleansed and dead skin cells are replaced – keeping your skin working optimally. Sweating rinses bacteria out of the epidermal layer and sweat ducts. Cleansing of the pores has been shown to improve capillary circulation while giving the skin a softer-looking quality.
9. Saunas burn calories
The sweating process itself requires a notable amount of energy. That energy is derived from the conversion of fat and carbohydrates in a bodily process that burns up calories. As heart activity increases and as these processes demand more oxygen, the body begins to convert more calories into usable energy.
As such, the sauna is a fantastic way to increase your cardiovascular capacity, without putting any pressure on your bones, joints, or muscles. Although the sauna doesn’t replace other benefits of exercise, it is a great way to burn a little extra kgs.
10. Saunas has social benefits.
The sauna can be a private, personal area of relaxation and solitude but often it is an environment for socializing with family, friends, and soon-to-be friends. The sauna room environment is conducive to open, intimate, and quiet conversation. If you have dipped your toes or dived in headfirst to sauna culture, you know what we’re talking about!
Community is one of the driving forces behind Wild Sauna. Come join us, and get to know why the sauna has such a transformative impact on your health not only physically but emotionally as well.
11. Saunas just feel good
Trust your body's wisdom - When it comes to sauna, it just feels good! Of course, you’ll reap all the benefits as a great bonus, but learning to trust your body’s innate knowledge, and letting that wisdom guide you is something special.
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