Do You Want to Improve Your Health? You Should Try Using a Sauna
Health and wellness are incredibly important parts of life because they help ensure that you have long-lasting vitality. From eating well to taking trips to the gym, you can do all sorts of things in order to improve your well-being. Interestingly, most people know what a sauna is, yet very few people are aware of the amazing health benefits of saunas or steam rooms. In this article, we’ll break down how exactly these saunas can help you!
Improves Circulation
You may not realise it, but poor circulation can have a significant impact on your overall health.
Improved circulation can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as improve cognitive function and brain health to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The increased blood flow helps to improve circulation throughout the body by reducing inflammation.
How does using a sauna help?
Your body temperature increases and you start to sweat. This will make your blood vessels dilate. This allows more blood to flow through your veins and arteries, which helps to improve circulation.
Loosens Stiff Joints
If you are someone who suffers from stiff joints, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. Luckily, using a sauna will help loosen those stiff joints and improve your overall health.
Saunas have been used for centuries as a way to relax the body and mind. However, they also offer many other incredible health benefits. For example, the heat of the sauna can help to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow, which in turn can help to reduce stiffness in the joints.
Saunas are also known to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. The heat can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints, making it easier for you to move around.
Reduces Stress
One of the most popular health benefits of saunas is using them to reduce stress. When you use a sauna, your body temperature rises and your heart rate increases.
This makes your body work harder to cool itself down. This process can help to relax your muscles and release tension.
It’s vital to reduce stress because it can lead to a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.
Clears Congestion
Saunas can help to clear congestion and improve breathing. This is because the heat from the sauna helps to loosen up mucus and phlegm in the chest and sinuses.
Deep breathing in a sauna also helps to stimulate our bronchial system, making the airways wider and easier for oxygen to flow through.
A simple breathing exercise you can do in a sauna is the 4x4x4 method:
- Sit up straight with your eyes closed and take a deep breath through your nose for a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for a count of 4.
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth for a count of 4.
- Repeat the cycle for at least 2 minutes.
Promotes Skin Health
A sauna can promote skin health in several ways. The high heat and humidity help to open pores, which allows the body to sweat out impurities and toxins. The sweating also helps to loosen dead skin cells, making them easier to slough off. This can help to improve your complexion, nourish the skin, and give you healthier-looking skin.
Additionally, the heat from the sauna can also help promote cell regeneration. This can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Burns Calories
A sauna can help you burn calories and improve your health. When you use a sauna, your body temperature rises and your heart rate increases. This makes your body work harder to cool itself down, burning more calories.
On average, you can burn up to 600 calories in a 30-minute sauna session, which is the same as running for about six miles.
Using Essential Oils in your Sauna
Many people use essential oils in the sauna to enhance the already extensive health benefits.
For example:
- Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil are good for sinus congestion
- Lavender oil is excellent for stress and relaxation
- Rosemary oil is said to uplift your spirits and help improve memory
There are so many essential oils to choose from, so why not mix and match to ensure both lovely scents and extra health benefits?
Types Of Saunas
There are a few different types of saunas that you can use to improve your health. The most popular type of sauna is the traditional Finnish sauna, which uses dry heat to raise your body temperature.
Another popular type of sauna is the infrared sauna, which uses infrared light to penetrate your skin and raise your body temperature. Infrared saunas are said to be more effective at detoxifying your body than traditional saunas.
Finally, there are steam rooms, which use steam to raise your body temperature. Steam rooms are often found in gyms or health clubs and can be used for both relaxation and detoxification.
Saunas have a host of health perks, from weight loss to improved circulation. If you’re looking for a way to improve your health, using a sauna is definitely worth considering. Make sure to do your research and find a sauna that’s right for you, as there are many different types on the market, so it’s important to find one that will suit your needs.
A Word Of Caution
Saunas provide a range of amazing health benefits. However, they are not suitable for everyone. If you are in any of the following categories, you should never use a sauna without your doctor’s approval:
- Angina-related chest pain, heart attack or severe aortic stenosis
- Severe infectious disease
- If you have been drinking alcohol
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. For a male, a sauna can temporarily lower sperm count.