“If booze, tar, or the sauna won’t help, the illness is fatal.”- Finnish proverb
While the Northern hemisphere wallows away in it’s sun drenched days of summer, you’ll find me desperately hugging the portable heater with bared teeth. You and your tan, moist skin. With all that weather induced sweating a sauna is probably the last thing on the brain, but take a deeper stab at the wood room from the Netherlands and discover it’s detoxing, immunity boosting and radiant health creating superpowers.
Here are just a few of the reasons why sauna’s should have a slot in your daily line-up all year round…
1.) Detoxing: Studies show that regular saunas combined with exercise therapy can efficiently clear organic chemicals solvents, drugs, pharmaceuticals even PCBs and heavy metals from the body.
2.) It’s A Heart Workout: During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.
3.) Glowing Skin: Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities during a sauna. Blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70% of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). This brings nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.
4.) Immunity Boosting: When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).
5.) Smooth Out Cellulite: Coupling massage with a good steam is used around the globe to loosen fatty tissue and assist in the battle against cellulite.
6.) Muscle and Stress Relief: Revives tired and strained muscles after physical exertion and reduces pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
7.) Clears Lung Issues: Steam is an excellent holistic treatment for respiratory problems, such as; chest congestion, bronchitis, laryngitis and sinusitis. The main reason I head to the sauna as soon as a cold comes on!
The president of the Finnish Sauna Society suggests that, “The idea is not to have the best sauna on the block, but to get the entire block in the sauna.”
I personally adore saunas for meditation. A typically quiet (at least in America), warm environment where you can drain the body of toxins and mind of clutter. At one point I had worked up to 30 min meditation/mindfulness sessions 4x per week. Talk about endless energy and clarity. If only I had access all the time!
What is your experience with sauna’s? Are you one of those lucky souls who has one in house, or do you find yourself gasping for air after five minutes? Consider a second chance!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I love saunas…but I actually prefer the steam room. Is the steam room just as beneficial as the dry sauna?
From all my research I believe so. There is something about the sauna though and it’s dry heat for sweating. I feel like I sweat more in that heat then in the steam room.
Hey!
Nice post, I love saunas:)
I don’t go to them much because mostly they are full of older naked men, that creeps me out a litte. hehe
In europe though, saunas are mixed and men and women just sit next to each other.
Saunas are great, but I read that sweating in a sauna is not as good as sweating when exerising, because in a sauna you sweat because of the heat and not because your body is working so hard.
Its important to drink lots of water when using the sauna to prevent dehydration:)
Great post!
Diggy
Upgradereality.com
I absolutely LOVE saunas, and I too wish that I had access more frequently. Unfortunately the sauna at my gym doesn’t strike me as being super-clean, so I tried it once and not so much after that.
I didn’t realize there was so many health benefits, as well as the ‘feel good’ vibe that results. I’m thinking when I move to Argentina I’ll have to make sure I have access to one regularly!
I never miss my weekly sauna, no matter the weather. After training in the gym, I take 10 minutes of sauna with before and after cold showers.
Some people say it’s bad to do it after training because your muscles are already lacking minerals. Nevermind, an isotonic drink while stretching solves the problem.
I’m curious to know from you and the readers how often you go to the sauna and if you breath through your nose or your mouth.
Cheers.
@colin- haha. Ya the grime on most gym sauna’s walls is pretty gross. I also had no idea about sauna’s until I looked more into it. I try to climb in one at least once a week, but especially now that I am pinching pennies to travel I won’t splurge on a short term gym membership. How long are you planning on staying in Argentina?
@Ivan- I try to use the sauna at least once a week and even more when I am working on a dance project. It’s the only way I’ve found to really get at sore muscles since I’m not much of a bath person. I agree that drinking plenty of water and stretching are key. If anything I feel the heat and relaxation benefits are essential when you are over working your body while dealing with daily stress from work. Like you said re-hydration is essential.
I breath through my nose because the nose regulates the temperature of the air going in and out of the lungs. If you breath through your mouth the lungs get a shock of heat. Breathing through the nose is best in most circumstances. Thanks for your questions and comments!
Great post! I’m an avid fan of the steam room and go daily. I was wondering, does the steam room have the same health benefits as the sauna?
I believe so Tom. The most important aspect is the temperature. I know that some people can’t really handle the steam though so I always go with the dryer alternative.
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