When it comes to health and wellness, we all have our own unique goals that drive our everyday fitness and nutrition habits. But when we think beyond simply working out and eating right, there is seemingly a whole world of offerings and routines that can amp up our wellness rituals and help us feel happier, stronger and more energized. One such offering is sauna therapy.
Whether you’re dipping your toe into sauna therapy by testing it out at your gym or ready to invest in a home sauna, sauna therapy has benefits that go beyond what you may realize. And with Swedish, steam and far and near infrared saunas to choose from, it’s not difficult to find an option that works well for your body and allows you to ease into the routine little by little.
That said, you’re not alone if you’re still on the fence about its benefits – after all, sitting in an extremely hot room for minutes on end isn’t everyone’s idea of a fun time. But perhaps learning more about the physical and even mental benefits of sauna therapy will change your mind:
Detoxifies Your Body and Strengthens Your Immune System
Chemicals in our environment, preservatives in our food, dust in our homes…there’s no shortage of places where we’re being exposed to toxic substances on a constant basis. Thankfully, our amazing bodies are naturally equipped to filter out some of those toxins – however, even the healthiest bodies can’t fully process the amount of toxins we’re exposed to today without a little support.
Enter sauna therapy. Over the past decades, research has found that sauna therapy (specifically, infrared sauna therapy) aids in stimulating our cells and helping our bodies release certain heavy metals and other toxins through our sweat.
Detoxifying the body also helps our immune systems stay stronger, which is why sauna therapy is recommended as a natural solution if you get sick frequently or simply want to avoid reaping the negative impacts of all those toxins in your environment. Certain studies have also found that sauna therapy helps increase the numbers of white blood cells, lymphocytes and other illness-fighting machines found naturally in our bodies.
On that same note, research has also found that frequent sauna use can help reduce the rate and impact of both chronic and acute diseases and ailments.
A few moments of hot discomfort in exchange for a healthier body and less sickness? Yes please.
Supports Muscle Recovery
There’s a reason so many gyms include a big sauna in their facilities – the research to support sauna therapy as a tool for muscle recovery is exhaustive. This is largely due to the fact that the type and temperature of heat released in a sauna helps relax muscles and ease overall tension in the body, meaning it’s a good idea to hop in after a long workout if you’re hoping to reduce muscle soreness the next day. In combination with thorough and frequent stretching and proper nourishment and hydration after workout, your muscles will absolutely love you and will stay stronger and healthier.
A sauna’s ability to detoxify the body also aids in muscle recovery, and the increased blood circulation induced by sauna use will also help your muscles recover more quickly.
Relieves Stress and Aids In Mental Clarity
Did you know that regular sauna use can support not only your physical health, but your mental health as well?
Sitting in a hot sauna not only helps you naturally relax and fall into a state of calmness, it also helps lower and balance the body’s stress hormones, making it a perfect act of self-care after an especially stressful day. Similar to exercise, it also helps increase endorphins, which make us feel lighter and happier.
Recent studies have also been looking into sauna therapy as a method of support for people struggling with anxiety or depression. While sauna therapy alone isn’t recommended as a substitute for other professionally-suggested methods of therapy, studies have started to show that a sauna’s ability to elevate the amount of “happy hormones” can help keep depression and anxiety at bay.
Once you get used to the feeling of sitting in a sauna, you may also find it to be a rather meditative and calming moment in your otherwise busy day.
Supports Heart Health
While research on this topic is still being conducted on a regular basis, many early studies have shown that infrared sauna bathing can help reduce the amount of a certain peptide that is found to be commonly and chronically elevated in patients at risk for heart issues.
However, if you already have a pre-existing heart condition, it’s not recommended to use a sauna. Talk to your doctor if you’re looking for a similar form of therapy or want to know if that applies to you.
Generally speaking, easing sauna therapy into your regular wellness routine can have myriad benefits – however, it’s important to get a professional opinion and be sure to drink plenty of water before and after each session.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
