The Benefits Of Saunas
Proven Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing
Sweating and excessive heat are common in saunas. An higher heart rate, dilated blood vessels, and an increase in skin temperature are all possible effects when your core temperature rises. This occurs when you start to sweat out and your heart starts to pump more blood. In this article we will approach some proven benefits of saunas and provide research references for you to review.
Proven Sauna Benefits
Skin Health
While sauna use may not have a substantial impact on everyone’s skin health, it does provide specific benefits for certain disorders, such as psoriasis. Sauna bathing helps reduce skin plaques and scales in psoriasis patients. It may also improve skin barrier function since regular sauna use can increase skin moisture and stability, resulting in healthier skin overall.
Neurocognitive Benefits
Regular sauna bathing may also benefit brain function and lower the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. A study of Finnish men found that individuals who used saunas four to seven times per week had a decreased incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They had a 66% decreased risk of dementia and a 65% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sauna use has also been related to lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, which may help with mental clarity and anxiety reduction.
Respiratory Health
Sauna bathing can help improve lung function and respiratory disorders. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis report better lung function and easier breathing post sauna sessions. Plus, regular sauna use has been linked to a lower incidence of colds, pneumonia, and upper respiratory infections, owing to increased immune function.
Pain relief
According to certain research, sauna users report feeling less pain. Blood arteries relax and dilate in a sauna, increasing blood flow and potentially relieving painful muscles and joint stress. This could help with pain management.
Chronic pain may also be alleviated by saunas, according to a 2019 study, saunas reduced lower back pain. Although some benefits were reported by every participant in that trial, the improvements weren’t considered statistically significant. Before adding sauna use to their treatment plan, the authors advise those with these diseases to try it out for a few sessions to determine whether it helps with their symptoms.
Improved Blood Circulation
Some claim that using a sauna improves their cardiovascular health and circulation. Sedentary adults were assigned to participate in an exercise group or a group that included both exercise and a sauna in a 2022 case-control research. Besides lowering total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, the group-assigned exercise and sauna bathing improved cardiorespiratory fitness. According to the researchers, further research is necessary to assist ascertain how frequently a person might need to use a sauna in order to experience these advantages.
Although, it is challenging to determine how much of the benefit is due to the increased activity and how much may be linked to the sauna exposure because the trial was conducted in conjunction with exercise.
Toxins
The main organs in charge of eliminating toxins from the body are the liver and kidneys. However, some studies have shown that sweating in a sauna can help the body or skin rid itself of harmful substances. According to a 2019 study, sweat contains certain toxins. Sweating in a sauna is not a useful method of “detoxification,” according to the same review. Sweating, on the other hand, has long been suggested as a cleansing method in several cultures.
Keeping adequate hydration is essential for the healthy operation of your kidneys and liver. This is yet another reason to drink plenty of water prior to, during, and following a sauna session.
Relaxation
Saunas have long been used to relieve stress and relax muscles. As your heart rate rises and your blood vessels widen, blood flow to the skin increases, which might make some individuals feel calm.
To keep your body’s temperature stable, your sympathetic nervous system becomes more active. Your endocrine glands start to get implicated in this reaction. Your body’s response to heat may produce good sensations.
In certain countries, such as Finland, utilizing the sauna is also a social activity. According to a Finnish population-based self-report research, the sauna’s communal character contributed to the happy feelings declared by those who used it on a regular basis.
Sauna Safety
Who Should Not Use A Sauna?
Using a sauna or steam room is not recommended for people with specific medical issues. Before utilizing a sauna, make sure to consult a physician if you suffer from any of the following conditions:
- pregnancy
- breathing disorders, such as asthma
- epilepsy and heart disease
- those with extremely high or extremely low blood pressure
- those under the influence of alcohol, or using stimulants, tranquilizers, or other medicines that impair cognition
Takeaway
Sauna bathing offers a range of health benefits, from relaxation and minor pain relief to improved cardiovascular health. When combined with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and proper hydration, sauna use can be a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle.
Ready to experience the benefits of sauna bathing for yourself? Explore BW Sauna’s premium sauna models and find the perfect fit for your wellness journey. If you have any questions, please reach us directly at +1 218-216-0252.
