Sauna Benefits for your Wellness
Sauna’s, you either love them or hate them, but you can’t deny their overwhelming amount of benefits when incorporating a session into your wellness routine. A dry-heat sauna, which can get as high as 185º (in comparison to a steam room which averages between 110º and 120º) is said to heat the body’s temperature to 104º within minutes. The average time spent in a sauna should be 10 - 20 minutes.
I’ve been incorporating sauna sessions into my wellness routine for just over a year now and recently learned the importance of a sauna session and additional benefits while staying in a wellness resort in Carefree, Arizona and taking a Hydrotherapy Water Circuit class, which is exposing your body to extreme temperatures, something I will get into later on on Muse. Now what’s the difference between a dry and infrared sauna? First, dry sauna’s are very pricey. These are the ones typically in the gyms and the spas with wooden flooring, walls, and ceilings and coal heating up the atomosphere. An infrared sauna (extremely affordable on Amazon) uses infrared light to heat the body and the atmosphere. Let’s get into the benefits of both!
Benefits of a Sauna Sesh
Reduces inflammation: Both traditional saunas and infrared saunas are great for reducing inflammation in the body and getting to the root of the problem whether it’s feeling congested or relieving inflammation in our muscles. Sauna’s increase circulation in the body causing it to relax. Jump in a sauna post-workout to help relieve those tight muscles.
Detoxification: This is a no brainer as sauna’s are just another name for major sweat sesh. Through these sweat glands (pores), we are excreting toxins from our body that are stored in our fat cells. After exiting a sauna, make sure to rehydrate with lots of water or detox water to help the body get back to its natural state.
Heart Healthy: Both types of saunas can help improve cardiovascular function through endothelium-dependent dilatation, reduced arterial stiffness, modulation of the autonomic nervous system, beneficial changes in circulating lipid profiles, and lowering of systemic blood pressure.
Stress & Anxiety Relief: As mentioned in #1, sauna’s help the muscles to relax and your brain is one of them. It aids in circulation and stimulates the release of endorphins, which are our “pain-killer” hormones.
Better Quality of Life: After everything that is listed above, there are still many other benefits to incorporating a sauna into your wellness routine. Because sauna’s help us to relax our muscles and lower our levels of stress and anxiety, it also helps promote a deep, quality sleep which is essential for optimal brain function and mental health. The term ‘Sauna’ can be another name for “Whole Body Heat Therapy”, which over time if done consistently, can help act as anti-depressant properties and overall, promote a better quality of life.
Both a dry and infrared sauna promote the same health benefits, however, an infrared sauna can be seen as more convenient and can be done in the comfort of your home. There are many reasons sauna sessions are becoming a part of wellness routines among people who want to maintain a healthier lifestyle. If you’ve never been in a sauna it’s important to start slow, try 5 minutes, and work your way up as your body adjusts to the temperature. Happy Sauna Bathing!
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