Historical evidence shows that saunas were originally used in Finland between the fifth and eighth centuries. In the thousands of years since then, saunas have become a staple in the health and wellness regimen of millions of people across the globe.
But why are saunas so popular, exactly? Do they really benefit your health and overall well being?
We're here to answer your burning questions and share with you why saunas are good for your health, and how you can benefit from using one.
Heat has an incredible effect on the body. Have you ever used a heating pad after injuring a muscle or joint? Did you find that it helped the recovery process?
That's because applying heat actually increases blood circulation.
By using a sauna, you're giving your entire body a heat treatment. The increase in blood circulation will promote faster recovery, not only for your aches and pains, but for any cuts and bruises you have.
The increased blood circulation will also help relieve pain during and after your sauna session.
One of the best ways to remove toxins from your body is to sweat it out.
Have you ever worked out after a night of drinking and found your sweat smells of alcohol? That's because your body is trying to flush out those toxins through your sweat.
Saunas promote a high level of sweating almost instantly, meaning you'll be able to sweat out a ton of toxins without exerting any effort or doing any intense exercising.
This also means saunas are effective in releasing skin toxins, such as clogged pores, dirt, and bacteria because the sweat literally flushes out your pores. Be sure to wash your face after the sauna to remove any excess toxins from your face.
Because saunas lead to a lot of sweating, it's important to stay hydrated before, during, and after your session. If you don't drink enough water, you can become dehydrated. Also, limit your session to less than an hour so you don't release too much fluid.
A recent study showed the potential benefits of a sauna session on stress, anxiety, and depression reduction. This may be due to the sauna increasing blood flow and circulation, which actually leads to better relaxation.
Because of this increase in circulation and being in a more relaxed state, the body releases endorphins, which are known as the "feel-good" chemical. This heightened mood will last even after leaving the sauna.
If you're ever feeling particularly stressed, overwhelmed, or down one day, book an appointment for a sauna session and watch as those negative feelings melt away.
Improved blood flow also affects the brain, which is why using a sauna may improve different types of brain functions.
In fact, there was a recent study that showed regular use of saunas being inversely related to the development of Alzheimer's!
You might be a bit skeptical of the idea that breathing in heat can actually be beneficial to your lungs, but it's true!
Studies have shown that saunas can help improve lung function, particularly for people who have chronic lung disease or difficulty breathing, such as with asthma.
Do you suffer from chronic headaches or pain? Going into a sauna may actually help reduce or eliminate those conditions.
Studies have shown promising results that using a sauna can significantly reduce chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. For people with chronic conditions, doing short, daily bi-daily sessions are great for pain reduction.
Have you ever wished you could burn more calories by doing absolutely nothing? Well, you actually can?
Because being in a sauna causes intense sweating and increases blood flow, you will actually burn calories simply by sitting in a sauna. This makes it a great option for people who are limited in mobility or unable to exercise as much as they'd like to.
In fact, a person weighing 160 pounds can lose 300 calories after a 30-minute sauna session, which equates to a high-intensity workout!
It's also great for people looking to burn extra calories on their recovery days, as not only will you burn calories but you'll help your body repair more quickly so you can hit the gym again the next day.
Do you ever drink hot tea or take a hot steamy shower when you have a cold? Do you find that it really does make you feel a bit better?
Well, the same can be said for getting into a sauna. Saunas can help open your sinuses and lead to faster recovery from illnesses such as the flu.
Not only that, but going into a sauna at the first sign of getting sick can actually prevent the illness from progressing!
While it's not entirely clear why saunas are so helpful with preventing and helping relieve illness, it may be because the heat is actually fighting off sickness. The symptoms will become weakened and dissipate more quickly than if you were to not use a sauna.
With all of these incredible health benefits, there's no doubt that saunas are good for your health.
Here at SaunaBar, we offer the only infrared saunapod experience in the Los Angeles area. Interested to learn more about our unique sauna experience? Contact us today!
