Sauna is claimed to have a similar effect to moderate exercise. Exercise is known to have many health benefits. But what are the health benefits of a sauna?
1. Increased circulation
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health
2. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-sauna/regular-sauna-users-may-have-fewer-chronic-diseases-idUSKBN1KM5U0
3. More endorphins released
Source: https://northernsaunas.com/blogs/news/9-science-backed-sauna-health-benefits
4. Possible weight loss
Since the heart rate is in the fat burning range (100 to 150 beats per minute) while in the sauna, the body’s metabolism speeds up and it burns a fair amount of calories. In fact, during a 20-minute sauna session one can spend as many as 500 calories.
Source: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jappl.1984.57.4.1018
5. Helping toxins get out
Although the body is working very fast to keep skin temperature down, the high heat of a sauna does raise skin temperature. This induces heavy sweating. It is not uncommon to lose up to a pint of sweat in one sitting.
But that is nothing to worry about as sweating has an important role for a human – it helps harmful elements leave the body. In the environments we live in today, we are constantly taking toxins in and absorbing them through the skin. Elements like lead, arsenic and cadmium get into deeper layers of the skin. To flush them, sweating is the best option. Sauna is a safe and easy way to help induce a deep sweat that will help clean getting these elements out.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312275/
6. Enjoying some quality time
7. Relieving stress
For the time you sit in the sauna, you can cut yourself completely from all obligations, to-do-lists, digital devices and social media. It’s a total time-out, and who doesn’t need one of those every now and again? Sauna is a great opportunity to connect with oneself and engage in some self-care. Most people leave a sauna with an increased feeling of well-being.
The health benefits of a good sauna are at least as obvious as those of exercise. And while we cannot encourage replacing your exercise regime with a sauna, we do recommend a good combination of the two. Your health can only benefit from it.
Source: https://www.optimallivingdynamics.com/blog/13-proven-ways-saunas-can-improve-your-mental-health-dry-hot-benefits-depression-anxiety
DISCLAIMER: In case of cardiovascular problems or pregnancy, please consult your health care provider before using a sauna.