The Sauna Benefits Cheat Sheet
They sound like a wishlist for a new miracle drug, but the health benefits listed below are backed up by modern studies and centuries of practice from diverse cultures around the globe.
This quick guide to sauna benefits is meant to be shared with anyone you care about and want live a healthy, happy, and lengthy life.
SaunaShare put this post in the creative commons, so it can be shared on any website, sauna, or neighbors cars.
Note: Your mileage may vary. Talk to your doctor before entering a sauna if you have health concerns.
1. Longer Lifespan and Improved Heart Health – Frequent Sauna Use Appears to Be So Good For Your Heart That It Decreases “All Cause Mortality
Very large, observational studies clearly suggest that people who sauna regularly are likely to live longer. And the benefit of sauna use is dose dependent, meaning people who used the sauna more frequently had better outcomes.
According to a Jama Internal Medicine study, increased frequency in sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, and all-cause mortality.
While further studies are required to know exactly why, improved heart health from frequent sauna use is the likely answer.
In Mayo Clinic medical jargon, regular sauna bathing improves cardiovascular function “via improved endothelium-dependent dilatation, reduced arterial stiffness, modulation of the autonomic nervous system, beneficial changes in circulating lipid profiles, and lowering of systemic blood pressure.”
Improved Mental HealthSaunas cause a spike in natural feel good chemicals
Have you ever heard of ‘Runners High’? The same phenomenon occurs when using a sauna – which spikes feel-good endorphines like Dopamine throughout the body. Endorphine spikes are why sauna use is so regular in sauna cultures – sauna can be borderline addictive!
Psychiatrists and researchers are also flagging a relationship between inflammation and depression. Studies have shown that the more often the ‘inflammatory cascade’ is activated through exercise or sauna, the better people feel.
Not only can sauna improve your mood, studies show it can also lower your risk for Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Faster RecoverySauna use speeds up the natural recovery processes after strenuous workouts
Sauna use is a well known secret weapon for endurance athletes who frequently push their muscles to exhaustion, but it can help anyone recover from strenuous work.
The sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, which increases circulation needed to repair torn muscles.
Additionally, the relaxing effect of sauna allows tense muscles to ‘melt away’ and reduce lactic acid – a byproduct of exercise that causes soreness when built up.
Better SleepEndorphins subside, promoting deep sleep
After using the sauna, your spike endorphins begin to decline and you will have some of the best sleep of your life. This effect is amplified if you are doing hot-cold rounds during your sauna session.
Of course, great sleep kicks off another cascade of physical and mental health benefits.
By promoting a healthier lifestyle, hydration, and better sleep – regular sauna use is cornerstone to a healthy life.