Saunas are an affordable alternative for healing many common ailments that plague a majority of the population.
If you suffer from:
Stress
Aching muscles
Dry skin
Then a sauna could be a great solution for you.
Keep reading to learn all about the numerous health benefits of using a sauna.
What Is A Sauna For?
A sauna is an enclosed room, usually containing benches, that provides either wet or dry heat.
Each sauna session can be anywhere from five to twenty minutes, but depends on the individual, their health, and risk factors.
Wet heat forms when water is placed on heated, usually volcanic, rocks. This water quickly turns into steam, making the sauna not only hot but also filled with steam.
Dry heat is created with heated rocks only.
A dry sauna has many health benefits:
Helps you begin sweating almost immediately.
Increases body temperature causing the heart to pump more blood to the skin.
Helps skin conditions such as psoriasis or itching.
Reduces wheezing for those with asthma.
Reasons to Use a Sauna
Saunas are used for many different reasons. If you’re looking to:
Improve health
Lower stress
Relax
Moisten dry or chapped skin
…a sauna could help you achieve these goals.
Types Of Saunas
Saunas originated in Northern Europe and have evolved over time with technology.
Today, there are four types of saunas:
Infrared
Wood Burning
Electrically Heated
Steam
Infrared
Infrared saunas, also referred to as Infrared therapy or Waon therapy, create heat from light.
These saunas are especially helpful to those who cannot stand the heat of more traditional saunas that heat the air around them.
Infrared saunas heat your body instead of the entire room.
To date, no adverse effects have been reported from this type of sauna. The health benefits of infrared saunas are reportedly the same as other types of saunas.
Wood Burning
The wood burning sauna creates heat from a stove that uses firewood.
Once the wood burns long enough, the rocks on top of the stove are heated, and the room reaches the appropriate temperature.
Electrically Heated
This is one of the most popular sauna types because it is the easiest way to heat the room.
Electrically heated saunas use an electric type of stove with stones on top, used for dry or wet heat.
Steam
Steam saunas are rooms filled with wet heat and very high humidity.
This is the best option for people with:
Dry skin
Lung problems
Congestion
Sinus issues
Sore throat
What Are The Health Benefits Of Using A Sauna?
There are many reasons why using a sauna can impact your health in a positive way.
Some of the health benefits include:
Improves vascular performance
Eases pain
Soothes aches and pains
Eases pain in muscles and joints
Reduces stress
Flushes toxins
Improves cardiovascular health
Reduces Alzheimer incidences
Reduces skin problems
Improves sleep
Relieves asthma symptoms
Burns calories
Detailed Health Benefits
Benefit #1: Improves Vascular Performance
Saunas have been proven to benefit vascular health by lowering blood pressure.
Science To Prove This:
A sauna session has an effect on the cardiovascular system similar to vigorous exercise.
The benefits of using a sauna after a workout are like having a double dose of exercise.
Benefit #2: Eases Pain
Saunas can help ease chronic pain.
Infrared saunas are the best option to treat many chronic conditions such as:
Alzheimer’s Disease
Headaches
Diabetes
Arthritis
Science To Prove This:
Frequent sauna usage can manage pain, especially for those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Exposure to sauna heat can also help tolerate hot climates and hydrate your skin.
Benefit #3: Soothes Aches And Pains In Muscles And Joints
Heat therapy has always been recommended to ease aches and pains.
A sauna is a great example of heat therapy.
Another way to ease pain is an ice bath. Click here to learn more.
Science To Prove This:
Heat from saunas relaxes muscles, extends collagen tissue, and improves blood flow — helping soothe stubborn aches and pains.
Benefit #4: Reduces Stress
Spending time in a sauna is a great way to practice self-care and reduce stress.
Additional Tip:
Find health-conscious friends and tackle self-care together.
Learn more about the Clarity Council here.
Science To Prove This:
Stress causes health issues like:
Headaches
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Obesity
Muscle tension
Saunas help by:
Offering relaxation
Providing distance from technology
Allowing quiet time
Soothing muscles
Releasing endorphins
Benefit #5: Flushes Toxins
Extreme sweating in a sauna helps your body flush out more than just water.
Science To Prove This:
Toxins collect in fat cells.
Perspiration — expedited by a sauna — helps flush these toxins.
Kidneys also assist during the process.
Benefit #6: Improves Cardiovascular Health
Saunas can lower blood pressure and increase circulation, both of which benefit heart health.
Science To Prove This:
Exposure to heat forces the body to regulate temperature, similar to exercise, promoting:
Lower blood pressure
Increased circulation
Better heart health
Benefit #7: Reduces Alzheimer’s Incidents
Regular sauna use can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Science To Prove This:
Saunas help by:
Lowering blood pressure
Reducing stress
Helping relaxation
Reducing inflammation
All of these contribute to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
Benefit #8: Reduces Skin Problems
Sauna use benefits the skin by increasing circulation and opening pores.
Additional ways it helps:
Hydrates dry skin
Aids itchy skin or psoriasis
Cleans pores
Science To Prove This:
Heat opens pores and boosts circulation, resulting in softer, cleaner, and more hydrated skin.
Benefit #9: Improves Sleep
Relaxation from sauna sessions can lead to better sleep.
Science To Prove This:
Adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night.
Lack of sleep can cause:
Memory issues
Lowered sex drive
Relationship problems
Moodiness
Impaired reaction times
Saunas help by:
Relaxing muscles
Reducing stress
Enhancing circulation
Benefit #10: Relieves Asthma Symptoms
Contrary to belief, a sauna can help people with asthma.
Science To Prove This:
Heat relaxes the respiratory tract muscles, lowering the risk of asthma attacks.
Benefit #11: Burns Calories
Saunas cause sweating, leading to some calorie burning.
Science To Prove This:
Sweating helps lose:
Water weight
Salt
Sugar
Waste products
While not a major weight loss method, saunas can make you feel healthier and more radiant.
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