Saunas have become part of a routine for many different cultures, from Finish saunas to Russian banyas to infrared saunas, for people to gather and unwind, relax at the end of a gym or spa session or simply to switch off from the stresses of life.
We all know that spending time in the sauna leaves us feeling great with an after-sauna glow but most of us don’t know the positive effects on our health.
We've listed 5 reasons why exposure to dry heat in the controlled environment of a sauna can benefit our wellbeing:
Improves cardiovascular health
Saunas widen the blood vessels to improve blood flow and circulation which increases the heart rate to a similar range we experience during aerobic exercise. This helps to improve the body’s regulatory system and protect against heart disease.
Reduce delayed onset muscle soreness
The heat of saunas can cause your temperature to increase which in turn increases blood circulation and oxygen to tired and strained muscles. This helps to eliminate lactic acid and toxins from the body which speeds up the recovery process to muscle soreness and aches.
Detoxify the body
Saunas induce heavy sweating which has a cleansing effect on the pores and glands which is highly effective in eliminating the toxins and impurities such as lead, copper, zinc, nickel and mercury from our bodies.
Strengthen the immune system
The increased blood circulation in the body increases the production of white blood cells which fights against diseases.
Weight loss
The rise in body temperature, production of sweat and increased heart rate can speed up the body’s metabolism and burn more calories.