Going to the sauna in this heat? Never ever! Or maybe?
It’s common knowledge that sauna bathing is good for you. Many people associate sauna bathing with the winter months—it seems natural to warm up in a sauna when it’s freezing outside. But is it healthy to go to the sauna when outdoor temperatures are above 30 degrees? Read on to find out why sauna bathing is still a great idea in summer.
Sauna bathing all year round boosts your immune system!
An important aspect of sauna bathing is its effect on our health, especially when we can train our bodies regularly in this way. The changes from hot to cold trigger several reactions that have a positive effect on our entire body.
When we sauna, our skin heats up. To help our bodies process the heat, our blood vessels dilate. The increased flow of warm blood to the body’s core raises our body temperature to 38 to 38.5 °C. Our pulse and heart rate increase, more blood is pumped through our veins, and our cardiovascular system works at full capacity. When we step out into the cool air after sauna bathing and cool down, the cold stimulus causes our blood vessels to contract and narrow again.
Regularly exercising our blood vessels throughout the year increases the hardening effect and strengthens our immune system. We become better at coping with temperature differences, in summer and winter alike.
Sauna bathing can also improve circulation in the nasal mucous membranes.
Sauna bathing all year round refines and improves the appearance of your skin. Steam and heat boost circulation in the skin and open the pores. This cleanses them and allows excess sebum to escape. The result is silky-smooth skin after sauna bathing.
A refreshing boost from sauna infusions
In your own sauna at home or in the garden, you can bring a touch of summer into the sauna with fresh or floral scents using infusion concentrates or herbs. With lavender flowers or thyme leaves in the bio sauna, you can breathe in the captivating scent of Provence—lemon or orange scents feel refreshing even while you’re sweating.
The ultimate refreshing boost during the summer months comes from Ice-Bits during a sauna infusion. Breathe out, breathe in, breathe freely—a soothing and relaxing sauna experience. Menthol Ice-Bits are a pure natural product. They are mixed with water in the ladle and poured over the sauna stones.
Older people, people with cardiovascular conditions, and pregnant women should be cautious in summer. In hot weather, your circulation can quickly become strained. If in doubt, consult your family doctor beforehand.
Important for summer sauna bathing: cooling down properly
Cooling down after a sauna session is an important part of sauna bathing at any time of year, allowing our bodies to cool down and return to normal. But in summer especially, a thorough cool-down in a plunge pool or under a bucket shower is not just something we crave—it’s also invigorating and important for our bodies. So take your time cooling down.
To avoid putting too much strain on your heart and circulation, it’s important to get some fresh air and take a few breaths before cooling your body down gradually. There are many different ways to bring your body back to its normal temperature:
Bucket shower/waterfall shower
A bucket shower is attached to the wall. Pulling a cord connected to a tipping lever pours cold water over you. This is a bracing way to cool down, as the cold water comes out in a powerful rush. With waterfall showers, cold water flows evenly from a wide opening, providing a gentler refreshment.
Plunge pool
Plunge pools come in various designs. Most are made of wood and filled with cold water. A ladder or step makes it easier to get in. First splash yourself slowly with cold water, then immerse yourself completely.
Kneipp hose
A Kneipp hose is slightly thicker than a regular garden hose and delivers cold water. As with a plunge pool, start cooling your arms and legs, then slowly work your way toward your chest and heart.
Ice fountain
An ice fountain produces crushed ice that falls from above into a collection basin. Briefly and vigorously rubbing yourself with the crushed ice boosts circulation in your heated skin, which contracts noticeably in response to the sudden cold.
Lake/pool
If there’s a lake nearby, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool water—a limitless cool-down surrounded by nature.
After sauna bathing and cooling down thoroughly, our bodies need a period of rest to recover. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you—decide how long and how often you want to sauna. In high outdoor temperatures, your body can quickly reach its limits, so it’s especially important to drink plenty of fluids and replace what you lose. Tea, fruit juice, or sparkling mineral water with lemon and a mint leaf are just right for enjoying summer.
Conclusion
So, head to the sauna—it’s summertime! Visiting the sauna even during the hot summer months is good for you and your body. When the official sauna season begins in autumn, we’ll be ready, and our bodies will be accustomed to sauna bathing.
Listen to your body—if you have circulation problems or feel unwell, take it slowly and cool down properly. Then nothing will get in the way of enjoying the sauna in summer.