What are the benefits of using a sauna?
Using a sauna has several benefits for your physical and mental health. Saunas are great for detoxification as they help flush out toxins through sweating. People have found that they’re skin feels softer and plumper after a sauna session from the release of toxins. Saunas are great for respiratory function improvement as they encourage you to open the airways and promote better breathing both during the sauna session and long after. Sauna usage can improve cardiovascular health as the long-term benefits of sauna usage includes reduced blood pressure, improved heart function and increased blood flow.
What are the different types of saunas?
There are a couple of different types of saunas to choose from, however, note there is not a significant difference in the benefits from using these as majority present the same health outcomes. Traditional saunas, which use heated rocks to produce heat tend to be hotter than infrared saunas which use infrared light to product heat.
How long should you stay in a sauna for?
For traditional hot rock saunas, it is recommended to start with 15-minute session and build your tolerance to a maximum of 20-30-minute stays. For healthy individuals, Infrared saunas can usually be sustained for longer duration of times in comparison to traditional hot rock saunas. Start with 20-minute sessions and work your way up to 30-40 minutes.
It is important to remember that the length of time spent in a sauna is extremely dependent on your individual health. Too much time in a sauna can lead to dehydration and overheating. If you begin to feel lightheaded or dizzy, remove yourself from the sauna.
Is sauna good for recovery?
If you are a seasoned active person or just getting into your new-found active journey, saunas can be hugely beneficial in aiding muscle recovery. Basically, the heat from saunas makes the body sweat which releases toxins and improves blood flow and circulation. The increased blood from pushes oxygen through to muscles, which aids in repairing and recovery torn muscle tissue. The heat can also help relax strains and aches in the body which can be common after intensive exercising as they promote relaxation and reduce stress.
To summarise, you should absolutely be incorporating saunas into your wellness schedule! There are both physical and mental benefits to your wellbeing, including muscle recovery, relaxation, stress reduction and detoxification. Do we need to say more?
