Saunas have been praised for their positive effects on health. This is no surprise, as the body responds
well to regular and gentle heat sessions. As a result, people who use saunas feel relaxed and energized.
Moreover, doctors are increasingly recommending saunas due to their detoxifying properties. All it takes is a few minutes a day to benefit from saunas, both physically and mentally.
Sauna improves heart health
When exposed to the high temperatures in a traditional or infrared sauna, the skin heats up and the body’s core temperature rises. This causes the blood vessels near the skin to open up, resulting in increased cardiac output and circulation. According to medical research, the heart rate can go from 60-70 beats per minute to 110-120 beats per minute in the sauna, and even up to 140-150 beats per minute with more intensive bathing. Regular sauna use has been proven to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality, fatal cardiac incidents, stroke, and hypertension.
Sauna flushes toxins
As the heat of the sauna increases a person’s core body temperature, their body produces sweat as a
natural way of cooling off. Sweat is mainly made up of 99% water. However, by deeply sweating in a sauna, it can help reduce the levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, and chemicals that are commonly taken in from our everyday environment.
Sauna improves brain health
A 25-year study conducted by Dr. Jari Laukkanen and his colleagues at the University of Eastern Finland, which included over 2,300 participants, showed that taking saunas four to seven times a week at a temperature of 176 degrees Fahrenheit for 19 minutes reduced the risk of both Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association considers sweating to be an essential part of maintaining brain health.
Sauna relieves stress
The heat of the sauna helps us to relax, and it also helps to regulate the cortisol levels in our blood. Cortisol is the hormone that is released when we are stressed and if the levels of cortisol are too high, it can cause issues with our immune system and sleeping. Sauna bathing lowers the cortisol levels in our blood and encourages the production of serotonin, which is our “happy hormone” and makes us feel good.
Sauna induces a deeper sleep and boost immune system
The heat of the sauna helps us to relax, and it also helps to regulate the cortisol levels in our blood. Cortisol is the hormone that is released when we are stressed and if the levels of cortisol are too high, it can cause issues with our immune system and sleeping. Sauna bathing lowers the cortisol levels in our blood and encourages the production of serotonin, which is our “happy hormone” and makes us feel good.
Sauna burns calories
Some sauna sellers make exaggerated claims in order to promote saunas as a miracle weight loss tool.
Initially, some individuals may experience a high level of calorie burn – especially those who are in poor
physical condition – but over the long term, saunas are just one of the tools we can use to burn extra
calories. The act of sweating requires a lot of energy, which comes from the conversion of fat and
carbohydrates. According to U.S. Army medical research (Ward Dean, M.D.), “A moderately conditioned
person can easily sweat off 500 grams in a sauna in a single session, consuming nearly 300 calories in the
process.” This is because heart rate increases and more oxygen is needed, so the body converts calories
into energy.
In this blog, we have listed some of the most important benefits that the sauna has on our health, but in
addition to the ones listed, the sauna also has numerous other benefits, such as cleaning the skin,
protecting against diseases, and also increasing muscle recovery after exercise, etc.
We hope that we have interested you and that you have seen how great the power of saunas is for your
health. So, we are waiting for you in Downtown Wellness and our sauna, as well as steam bath, salt room,
swimming pool…