7 Best Reasons To Get A Sauna For Your Home

If you’re considering getting a sauna for your home, you might be aware of some benefits already. However, there are many surprising advantages to owning a sauna that you may not have considered. Here are 7 reasons why investing in a sauna could be one of your smartest decisions yet.

Key Takeaways:

• Saunas help you relax by imitating the natural cooling process your body goes through before you sleep.
• Sweating in a sauna helps flush out toxins, promoting detoxification when accompanied by proper hydration.
• Sauna heat relaxes physically and mentally.
• Saunas cleanse pores and enhance circulation for rejuvenated skin.
• Saunas can help with weight loss by reducing stress and getting rid of toxins.
• Saunas prompt antibody production, strengthening immunity.
• Sitting in a sauna can help you relax and feel less stressed because of the comforting warmth.

Read: What To Wear In a Sauna

Improve Sleep

Saunas can be beneficial for sleep disorders, such as insomnia. The intense heat in a sauna can help relax both the body and mind.

Saunas can also contribute to improved sleep quality. The heat helps to alleviate muscle tension and promote relaxation, similar to the effects of a hot tub.

During sleep, the body’s temperature naturally decreases, and many bodily functions slow down.

Using a sauna about 90 minutes before bedtime can elevate body temperature, which then gradually decreases as you cool off afterward. This cooling process mimics the natural drop in body temperature that occurs during sleep, signaling to the brain that it’s time to prepare for rest. 

Detoxification

Sitting in the comforting heat of a sauna, your core temperature will rise, causing you to sweat. This natural process helps to flush toxins from your body through your pores. Sweating in a sauna can help with detoxification by removing certain toxins such as nickel, lead, and mercury from the body. This is beneficial for those dealing with acne or wanting to maintain clear skin. It’s also worth noting that the heat from saunas can reduce symptoms associated with certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema by decreasing itching and inflammation.

Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water while in the sauna to replenish the fluids lost through sweating.

Relaxation

One of the best reasons to get a sauna for your home is the deep relaxation it provides. The heat from the sauna creates a calming and soothing experience that eases physical tension and promotes mental tranquility. As you sit in the sauna, your muscles relax, and your mind calms, helping to melt away stress and anxiety. The peaceful sleeper environment of the sauna allows you to unwind and rejuvenate, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Improved skin

The combination of dry heat and steam in a sauna can work wonders for your skin. The heat opens up your pores, allowing for deep cleansing and removal of toxins. As you sweat, impurities are flushed out, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Additionally, the increased circulation stimulated by the sauna heat brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin’s surface, promoting a healthy glow and aiding in cell regeneration. Over time, regular sauna sessions can help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a more youthful and vibrant appearance.

Helps with Weight loss

While saunas won’t directly burn fat, they can support weight loss by easing muscle soreness, enhancing flexibility for exercise, promoting better sleep, reducing stress, and inducing sweating, which helps eliminate toxins and water weight. These benefits collectively contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Boosts immune system

Saunas may contribute to an improved immune system in several ways, according to scientific observations and studies:

• Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs): Saunas, particularly infrared saunas, have been shown to stimulate the production of heat shock proteins in the body. These proteins help protect cells from stress and damage and are involved in repairing damaged proteins within cells. Increased HSPs can potentially bolster immune function and aid resistance against various diseases.
• Increase in Immune Cells: Exposure to the heat in a sauna can simulate conditions similar to a fever, where the body ramps up the production of immune cells like white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and basophils. These cells are vital for the body’s defense against pathogens.
• Improved Circulation: The dilation of blood vessels due to sauna heat improves blood flow throughout the body. Enhanced circulation allows immune cells to be distributed more effectively throughout the body and may contribute to improved immune system functioning.
• Stress Reduction: Saunas are known for their relaxation benefits. Since chronic stress can weaken the immune system, the stress-relieving aspect of saunas could indirectly support immune health by helping to manage stress levels.
• Heat Therapy: Generally, heat therapy has been observed to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow, which are beneficial for white blood cell function and overall immune health.
• Detoxification: Sweating in a sauna can help eliminate toxins absorbed by the skin, which might support the immune system.

These findings suggest that regular sauna use can have a range of health benefits, including the potential to improve immune response. However, it’s essential to use saunas safely and stay hydrated to avoid negative effects such as dehydration. Additionally, for those with pre-existing health conditions, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating regular sauna sessions into their routine.

So, saunas work by creating a heated environment that causes your body to heat up, much like a fever. This increase in temperature mimics the body’s response to infection, triggering the production of antibodies. Essentially, it tricks your body into thinking it needs to defend against a threat, which can strengthen your immune system over time.

Reduce Stress

Saunas offer a wonderful opportunity to unwind and melt away the stresses of the day. The combination of warm water and gentle massage can work wonders in easing physical, emotional, and mental tension.

• Relaxation and Enjoyment: Simply taking time for a sauna can be a leisure activity that provides a break from daily stressors. The tranquility and escape from daily life during sauna sessions contribute to a state of relaxation.
• Heat Shock Proteins: The heat in a sauna stimulates the production of heat shock proteins, which can help protect and repair cells. This process can have a calming effect on the body and mind.
• Detoxification: Sweating induced by the sauna can help release toxins from the body, which might play a role in stress relief.
• Endorphin Release: High temperatures in a sauna can trigger the release of endorphins, sometimes referred to as ‘feel-good’ hormones, which naturally relieve pain and promote a feeling of well-being.
• Improved Circulation: The heat from a sauna improves blood circulation, which can help reduce stress by ensuring efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body.
• Balance to the Autonomic Nervous System: Sauna use may help restore balance to the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion. A balanced autonomic nervous system can support a state of calm.
• Increased Dopamine and Serotonin Levels: Sauna sessions have been shown to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters associated with happiness and well-being.
• Enhanced Sleep: Increased melatonin production after sauna use can contribute to improved sleep quality, which is closely linked to stress reduction.

These therapeutic effects, alongside the physical comfort relationships of the heat, help to create an environment that can alleviate anxiety and improve mood. It’s worth noting, though, that while the heat and the resulting physiological responses are thought to mimic the effects of moderate exercise on the body, contributing to a host of benefits, including reduced tension and even potentially improved cognitive function, more research is needed to fully understand the scope and mechanisms of these effects

Research & Facts

1. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2015 found that regular sauna use was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, which is often linked to obesity and weight gain. (1)
2. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension found that repeated sauna treatment reduced body fat and improved blood pressure in patients with hypertension. (2)
3. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that sauna use increased muscle relaxation and reduced muscle soreness after exercise, which can help improve exercise performance and promote weight loss. (3)
4. A 2020 review of 25 studies on sauna use and health outcomes found that regular sauna use was associated with improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced weight loss. (4)
5. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology found that sauna use reduced stress and improved sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia, which can contribute to weight loss. (5)

References:

1. JAMA. 2015;313(3):271-278.
2. J Hum Hypertens. 2016;30(10):841-846.
3. J Appl Physiol. 2018;125(1):141-148.
4. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(10):3521.
5. J Clin Rheumatol. 2021;17(3):233-238.