Regular sauna users enjoy a whole host of positive effects: On the one hand, it stimulates the metabolism and strengthens the immune system. On the other, toxins deposited in the body are sweated out. A Finnish study published in the renowned journal Jama Internal Medicine will delight sauna-goers: regular sauna use helps you live longer!
We’ve uncovered the secrets of sauna bathing got to the bottom of it and explain how sauna-ritual the Healthpromotes health and coldprevents.
Why sauna bathing is so healthy
The Mayans first used sweating to relax 3,000 years ago. Since then, various cultures have used sweat therapy to relax the body and mind: Turkish steam baths, Roman baths, or one of the oldest and hottest methods - the sauna.
Sauna bathing is becoming increasingly popular. Especially when it’s cold and snowing outside, you can unwind in the sauna. And not all saunas are the same - there’s a perfect little sauna for everyone. But why is the sauna so healthy?
How Sauna bathing promotes heart health
Most people today die of cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, regular sauna use seems to have a positive effect on heart health, even in patients with risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But what happens to your cardiovascular system during a sauna session?
The dry heat of the sauna raises your skin temperature to around 40 to 42 °C. Your body responds by dilating your blood vessels to carry heat away. As more warm blood flows to your core, your body temperature rises to 38 to 38.5 °C.
Using cold-water applications after a sauna session lowers your skin temperature. However, for your body, cooling down means a significant loss of heat. To protect itself, your body constricts the arteries, which gets in the way of lowering your body temperature. A warm foot bath helps your blood vessels dilate again, allowing your body temperature to return to its baseline.
The increase in heart rate during a sauna session is comparable to that of moderate exercise. This means that while you sweat, you exercise your heart and build endurance. One study found that after a 30-minute sauna session, blood pressure was lower and the arteries were more flexible. It is still unclear what exactly is the decisive factor behind the health benefits of sauna for the heart – the sauna heat and deep relaxation certainly contribute a great deal.
More Healthhealth aspects of the sauna
The dry, hot sauna air penetrates the lungs and warms the skin. One might assume that this unusual rise in temperature is not particularly beneficial to health. But the opposite seems to be true. Sauna bathing helped asthma sufferers reduce their wheezing. Patients with chronic skin conditions report reduced itching.
Many studies and regular sauna-goers swear by the health-promoting effects of regular sauna sessions. Sauna bathing is much more than a relaxation ritual, but why it is so healthy remains the subject of numerous studies.
Preventing colds through Sauna bathing – Does it work?
The health benefits of sauna bathing are undisputed. A sauna also offers you the best protection against colds, as alternating between hot and cold prepares the mucous membranes in your nose and throat for upcoming temperature changes.
Sauna bathing promotes better blood circulation in your skin, allowing your body to regulate its temperature more effectively and making you feel less cold. Sauna sessions increase antibodies in your blood and mucous membranes, making it harder for pathogens to invade your body. Laboratory tests have also shown an increased number of immune cells.
Sauna with a cold: Yes or no?
If the cold has already progressed significantly, you should avoid the saunasession, as the sweating treatment could put too much strain on the cardiovascular system. Many people wonder, however, whether they to the sauna can, when the cold just starting to come on? Could a saunacould a visit even stop the cold?
sauna when first signs of a cold
Aches and pains, chills, and a heavy head? Then a nasty cold is probably coming on. While experienced sauna-goers can still go to the sauna in this situation, sauna-beginners your cold recover fully before you head to the sauna go.
But even regular sauna-goers should be careful and not overdo it. Take your sauna ritual at a relaxed pace and prefer lower-temperature saunas, such as the bio sauna with higher humidity. Avoid drastic temperature changes and opt for a gentler cool-down phase.
The right sauna infusion can help you fight an oncoming cold. Essential oils have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that can effectively combat pathogens. Herbs such as eucalyptus leaves, chamomile flowers, and lavender flowers also contain essential oils. Some also have an expectorant effect and help with a runny nose or bronchitis. Menthol can soothe the bronchial tubes and help clear the airways. To do this, dissolve Menthol Ice Bits in the infusion water and pour it over the sauna stones. But be careful: Use the correct dosage to avoid irritating the mucous membranes.
sauna supports you when getting better cold
After a cold, a cough and runny nose often linger. If those last germs just won't go away, a sauna session can work wonders. Menthol in particular can soothe the bronchial tubes and help clear the airways.
However, if a Finnish sauna is too strenuous for you, you can try a gentler option that is easier on your circulation, such as a bio sauna. However, only those who feel really good can sweat out the remaining cold in the sauna.
CONCLUSION
Regular sauna sessions are not just a relaxation ritual; they help your body stay healthy. This sweat therapy not only keeps your heart and lungs fit, but the temperature changes while sauna bathing also strengthen your immune system and help prevent colds. You should avoid the sauna when you have a cold.
You can support your body when a cold is starting or getting better cold with a relaxing saunasupport your session, for example, choose a lovely sauna infusion to relax. In general, sauna sessions should be taken gently and only if you are an experienced sauna-goer.
Follow the sauna rules, enjoy the atmosphere in your sauna, and simply let yourself unwind.