Health benefits of sauna

Heat has the power to heal in so many ways, thanks to the body's ability to respond to it. Sweat production, heart rate increases, hormone releases, and more are all ways the body positively reacts to heat. And each response, whether physiological or psychological, offers profound health benefits, emotional well-being, and the list goes on. 

The sauna heat combined with your preferred ambiance creates a powerfully relaxing, rejuvenating, healing and therapeutic space. As you settle in, the heat takes over and nourishes your body and mind. In short, regular sauna bathing is a wonderful, feel-good and good-for-you addition to your overall health and wellness plan. 

Sauna relaxes muscles and soothes aches in both muscles and joints. Under the high-heat of a sauna, the body releases endorphins, body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate allowing for increased blood circulation.

Before physical activity, enjoy a few moments in the sauna to warm your body in preparation for work it is going to perform. The sauna is a great addition to your pre-workout warm-up. 

After physical activity, allow the heat and steam of a sauna to promote muscle relaxation by reducing muscle tension and eliminating lactic acid and other toxins that may have built up during your workout. 

Saunas are one of many tools to facilitate calorie burn. Saunas induce sweating, and sweating requires a notable amount of energy.

A 2019 study researched sauna calorie expenditure in young, sedentary, and overweight men (45 participants ages 19-24, with a mean body weight of ~190 lbs.). Results identified caloric burn was present, and influenced by a variety of factors, but specifically by both body mass and sauna duration. In the first of four 10-minute sauna sessions an average of 73 calories were burned, and in the last session the average increased to 153 calories. 

Heat bathing is one of the oldest health and beauty strategies in terms of cleansing one's skin. When the body begins to produce sweat via deep sweating, the skin is then cleansed and dead skin cells are replaced - keeping your skin in good working condition. 

Sweating flushes out dirt and bacteria from the epidermal layer while leaving behind a minimal amount of beneficial oils. Cleansing of the pores has been shown to improve capillary circulation, while giving the skin a softer-looking appearance and healthy glow. Regular sauna use can help purify the body from the inside out.