Saunas & Hot Baths

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The Benefits of Going to a Sauna

 Learn to make self care a priority in your life.

 “The sauna is a poor man’s pharmacy.”

Saunas or heat baths may sound like a modern-day concept to many people, but it has existed for more than 1000years ago from the Mayans and Finlanders. 

A sauna is typically an enclosed room heated to around 70° to 100°C. The amount of moisture is dependent on the origin and types of sauna. Finnish saunas have an average of 10-20% moisture while Turkish sauna uses around 30-40% moisture. It aims to raise the skin temperature to 104°C, which leads to sweating, a biological process that helps remove toxins in the body. It also increases the heart rate to improve cardiovascular health. 

According to a study in 2018, regular dry sauna bathing shows potential health benefits for the participants. However, further studies are recommended to confirm these said benefits. 

The Benefits of Sauna:

  • It causes sweating. One pint of sweat gets released in one session of the sauna. An increase in heart rate accompanies the release of sweat which causes an increased blood flow and better circulation temporarily.
  • It can ease pain. Better circulation helps reduce muscle and skeletal pain. 
  • It reduces stress. Release of sweat can increase relaxation and mood level.
  • It helps decrease the risk of an asthma attack. Sauna helps open airways and loosen mucus which are factors in causing an asthma attack.
  • It might lower the risk for Alzheimer’s. A study in 2016 found that people who went to sauna 2-3 times a week are 22% less likely to get Alzheimer’s.

FURTHER READING

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/saunas-and-your-health

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313109.php