In the U.S, there are over one million saunas which shows we enjoy using them whether it’s after a workout or to relax.
Saunas offer a wealth of health benefits that you may not be familiar with. If you want to learn how saunas can improve your body function, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s everything you need to know about using a sauna.
What Is a Sauna?
Before learning tips for using a sauna safely, it’s important to understand what they are.
Heat therapies date back to the Ancient Greeks and are a room designed to make you sweat out toxins. There are different types from a Finnish outdoor sauna to a Korean jjimjillbangs depending on where you are in the world. There are dry, steam, or infrared saunas where you experience a healthy sweat, perfect after a long day.
Dry saunas are heated with fire often by gas, hot stones, or electricity, whereas a steam sauna happens when pouring water over a heating element. Infrared saunas use specialized heaters to emit radiant heat that your skin absorbs.
Although public and private ones reap the same health benefits, you should consider installing a home sauna. This is because you don’t have to commute, you have a personal space to unwind, and you can use it whenever you please.
How to Use a Sauna Safely
Not sure how to use a sauna safely?
Note that you should never drink alcohol or take medication that impairs sweating or makes you overheat when you’re in the sauna. Another important sauna safety rule is you should only stay for a maximum of 20 minutes and let your body gradually cool afterward. Don’t forget to rehydrate afterward by drinking at least four glasses of cool water.
Aside from a chance to relax after workout, other benefits include:
Flush Toxins From Your Body
A fantastic benefit of using a sauna is how it flushes toxins from your body.
Aside from water, sweat is also made from elements that are embedded in your skin like lead, arsenic, and cadmium so it’s crucial to extract these from your body. A 20-minute sauna session is a great way to do this because when the temperature rises, your body releases sweat to cool down and eradicate the toxins.
Aid Weight Loss
Want to accelerate your weight loss? Then head to the sauna as the dry heat increases your heart rate thereby losing calories.
This happens because your body’s metabolism speeds up like it does when you’re working out. But don’t rely solely on a daily sauna session to see results, you must also exercise daily and eat clean.
Boosts Your Immune System
Saunas aren’t only known for relaxing your muscles, they also boost the immune system. This is because sauna sessions help your body produce white cells to attack viruses and bacteria so you recover faster after falling ill.
Plus, saunas help those with sinus effects or allergies because they open up congested nasal passages.
Increases Blood Circulation
Saunas increase circulation because the heat widens your blood vessels so it can travel around your body easily. Not only does this cause muscle relaxation but also eases muscle soreness and improves joint movement.
Further, this improved circulation helps those with arthritis so it’s less painful and easier to move.
Improve Performance in Endurance Sports
Regularly using a sauna increases your heat tolerance, useful if you do endurance sports like swimming or cycling. As a result, you’ll feel less fatigue during the workout so you can maintain your energy level over an extended period.
Further, saunas help athletes recover from workouts because the heat increases blood flow to tense muscles so you quickly feel relaxed.
Cleanses Your Skin
Saunas are also known for promoting good skin health. This is because you sweat deeply which removes dead skin cells, bacteria in the sweat ducts, and improves capillary circulation. Because of this, you’ll get soft, supple skin which makes you look younger.
Further, saunas benefit your hair too. We have the sebaceous gland in our scalp that releases compounds to condition and moisturize your hair. When it’s exposed to constant heat, these are released so your hair naturally looks fantastic.
Helps You Sleep
Around 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder and a great way to remedy this is by using a sauna.
To have a deep sleep, our body temperature needs to drop along with our endorphins. Sauna bathers benefit from this because when you cool down after a session, your body relaxes so you get a great night’s sleep.
Relieves Stress
Once you step into the sauna, you immediately relax because you’re cutting yourself off from your to-do list, smartphone, and other worries. After a few minutes, your body will release endorphins, the beloved ‘feel-good’ chemicals, so you can fully relax and feel content.
Plus, many people go to the sauna with friends so you can socialize, a fantastic way to unwind and relieve stress.
That’s Why You Should Start Using a Sauna
Now you know the health benefits of using a sauna.
Not only does it give you a chance to catch up with friends, but saunas also relieve stress, promote a good night’s sleep, and boosts your immune system. You’ll also notice better skin, improved circulation, and a faster recovery after workouts. What’s not to love?
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