Sauna bathing, a Finland tradition for hundreds of years, has primarily been used for relaxation and pleasure.
However, it is gaining more popularity as more people around the globe discover more sauna benefits, including beauty and health improvements. Read on for five reasons you should consider trying sauna bathing.
1. Improve heart health
You should consider using a sauna to improve your heart health. A high sauna often causes your body’s temperatures to rise while the skin heats up. This causes your blood vessels to dilate, increasing the cardiac output.
According to recent research, increased use of a sauna can significantly reduce the risk of fatal cardiac-related illness, hypertension, and stroke.
2. Cleanse your pores
Using the sauna can help you cleanse your pores, providing you with clear skin, thanks to the increased sweating.
However, ensure that you speak to your dermatologist before sauna bathing, especially if you have skin issues such as psoriasis or eczema, to avoid worsening your condition. You could also use a sauna if you develop skin conditions or rashes.
It is also worth noting that although using a gym’s sauna can be more affordable, public saunas make you vulnerable to skin conditions. This is because saunas are often moist, making a public sauna a mold and bacteria breeding ground, so you should find and invest in the best personal sauna.
3. Pain relief
If you have been experiencing muscle sores or pain, you should consider including a dry sauna in your daily schedule.
A sauna helps your blood vessels to dilate and relax, increasing the blood flow, which helps relieve sore muscles and minimize muscle tension. It can also help individuals with conditions like arthritis and chronic pain.
According to a 2019 study, sauna bathing is an effective way to alleviate lower back pain. However, the study experts recommend that patients with lower back pain complications undergo several trial sessions to determine whether or not sauna use improves their conditions before including it in their treatment plan.
4. Relieve stress
The increased temperatures in a sauna help your body to relax and maintain healthy levels of cortisol in the blood.
Cortisol is the hormone produced by the body when stressed. Too high cortisol levels in the body could result in health complications, including sleeping difficulties and issues with your immune system.
Sauna use helps lower cortisol levels in the blood while triggering the production of serotonin, the happy hormone, enabling you to distress.
5. Sauna bathing can help you lose weight
Besides exercising and consuming a healthy diet, sauna bathing can also help you lose weight.
The sweating process, common during sauna baths, often requires significant energy. The body often derives this energy from converting carbohydrates and fats while burning calories.
According to a US Army medical report, the average person can sweat up to 500 grams in a single sauna bath session, burning nearly 300 calories due to increased heart activity. The more calories the body burns, the more weight you lose, enabling you to stay physically fit.
Endnote
Sauna bathing helps you improve your heart health, cleanse the skin pores, relieve pain and stress, and maintain healthy body weight. Start your sauna journey today to enjoy these benefits but drink lots of water and avoid alcohol before a sauna bath to avoid dehydration.
