Using a sauna can help improve blood flow and, while it may be uncomfortable, sitting in a sauna provides numerous health benefits for your body. Many of these advantages transfer to your workouts and can even help you improve your body composition.
According to experts, the different benefits of saunas can also help with mental issues, remove toxins from the body, and improve skin health. In this article, we will discuss the seven most significant advantages of using a sauna on a regular basis.
Improves Muscle Recovery
One of the most significant benefits of sauna is that it helps in faster recovery from workouts. Saunas increase blood flow, which helps deliver nutrients to your body’s cells and tissues, aiding in recovery. Saunas increase blood flow by heating the body, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels, making it easier for your cardiovascular system to pump blood throughout your entire body.
Sauna also improves endothelial function, which is the function of the thin inner layer membrane that lines your heart and blood vessels. According to some studies, saunas also increase our IGF-1 hormone, which aids in the faster recovery of our body’s tissues. It’s no surprise that many athletes always use the sauna after training because it helps with recovery.
See Also: How to use the Sauna to Enhance your Exercise Regiment
Improves Your Mood
Another significant benefits of sauna is that it can help to improve your mood. Sauna increases beta-endorphin levels in the blood, resulting in feelings of euphoria. Saunas are somewhat stressful on the body, so to deal with them, your brain produces and releases more euphoric hormones.
Saunas, unsurprisingly, can reduce stress and anxiety. Several studies have found that regular sauna use reduces cortisol levels, your body’s main stress hormone. Researchers discovered that using a sauna can reduce both state and trait anxiety in one study. According to other studies, sweating promotes relaxation and reduces feelings of frustration and anxiety.
See Also: Benefits of Sauna Therapy
Improves Mental Performance
Another one cognitive benefits of sauna is that it improves mental performance. Heat stress increases the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, also known as BDNF, a critical protein for cognitive health. BDNF regulates synaptic plasticity, which is necessary for neurons to communicate and aids in learning and memory formation.
Saunas also aid in the prevention of cognitive decline associated with aging. A Finnish study of men found that those who used saunas four to seven times per week had a 65 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease than those who only used saunas once a week.Saunas may also increase norepinephrine and prolactin production, which may benefit your cognitive health, according to research. Norepinephrine improves focus and attention, whereas prolactin promotes myelin growth, which speeds up brain function.
Smoother And Healthier Skin
Aside from internal benefits, external benefits of sauna includes improving overall skin health. Sauna use has been shown in studies to improve skin health, particularly surface ph levels and hydration. Other studies have found that using a sauna reduced the amount of oil on the participants’ foreheads. If you have oily skin, using saunas is extremely beneficial.
But keep in mind that excessive sweating causes your body to secrete zinc, which is why many athletes who regularly use saunas have much lower zinc levels than the general population. So, if you’re an athlete, make sure you’re getting enough zinc each day. Because zinc is essential for skin health.
Detoxification
Many of the health benefits of sauna stem from the removal of toxins, dead skin, and other byproducts of daily life that would not otherwise be expelled as easily from your system (often called a detox).When you sweat, your body removes these deposits from your system, allowing you to replenish them with fresh, clean water. Not only is hydration good for your body, but it also means that your body is carrying more clean water, which makes you feel better.
Improves Sleep
The stress-relieving benefits of sauna can help when it comes to inducing a deeper sleep; in addition to the calm that comes naturally from the steam, everything about the sauna experience lends itself to a good night’s sleep. Because of the nature of saunas, it is very difficult to actually do anything else other than sit back and relax- most mobile phones or books would not withstand a sauna, so enjoy the heat to its fullest.
Prolonged exposure to computer screens (including phones or tablets) have been shown to affect deep sleep patterns, so an evening sauna gives you a great excuse to put down the phone before bed.
Many people report feeling tired after leaving a sauna, but most attribute this to heat exhaustion. This is partially true, but even if you are sitting still, your body is working hard in the heat, making you naturally less energetic. That’s why a sauna later in the day is often just what the doctor ordered for a good night’s sleep.
Improves Cardiovascular Health And Increases Longevity
One of the great benefits of sauna is that it can help you improve your heart health. The stress-relieving benefits of regular sauna use can help induce deeper sleep; aside from the natural calm that comes from the steam, everything about the sauna experience lends itself to a good night’s sleep. Because of the nature of saunas, it is difficult to do anything but sit back and relax- most phones and books would not survive a sauna, so enjoy the heat to the fullest.
See Also: Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence
Sauna also increases longevity, which means it may help you live a longer life. According to studies, people who regularly use saunas live much longer lives than those who do not. Sauna benefits your heart, blood vessels, and even your nervous system, which can help you live longer.
