Sauna Benefits – Relax, Reduce Pain & Get Healthy

Sauna Benefits

If you were wondering how regular use of the sauna benefits you, then this article will help to explain. Specifically we’ll discuss individual ailments that the sauna benefits, and how using the sauna can even prevent the common cold.

Most people use the sauna for purposes of relaxation, however, there are a whole lot of other sauna benefits, especially with consistent use.

 

 

 

Some sauna benefits include:

• Reduction of chronic pain and arthritis
• Removal of mild depression
• Increased performance of endurance sport
• Decrease blood pressure
• Reduced heart rate
• Improvement of heart arrhythmia
• Increased appetite

The heat of the sauna on the skin causes blood vessels to dilate. This leads to a drop in blood pressure, because there is more demand for the blood around the body. The heart then beats faster and more efficiently.

Chronic pain is lessened due to the heat, which relaxes the muscles. Sweating also removes excess lactic acid. This may explain the increased performance of endurance sports.

Using the sauna is equivalent to slow cardiovascular activity, like walking. It has been shown that up to 300 calories can be burned in one session. This also releases the “feel good” chemical, endorphins which can lighten the mood.

A session in the sauna can take you away from the day to day worries of life, and provide amazing relaxation. The combination of these, plus the release of endorphins may explain the reason that regular sauna use can remove mild depression.

Other sauna benefits include prevention of the common cold. Also, if you’re unfortunate enough to catch a cold or get the flu, the sauna will help relieve symptoms.

A scientific experiment involving 25 volunteers showed that common use of “sauna bathing” over 6 months meant significantly reduced episodes of the common cold. This was in comparison to a separate group of volunteers who did not use the sauna regularly.

There’s no official reason as to why this is so, but it has been suggested that the bacteria or virus simply cannot survive in the heat of the sauna.

The most significant findings were recorded in the last three months of the study. This would indicate that, like most things, regular sauna use is required for the best results. Simply using the sauna now and then won’t have anywhere near the same preventative effect.

If someone has a cold already, the sauna benefits you by reducing the symptoms. The heat and the steam helps to open up nasal passages and remove the blockage, allowing the sufferer to breath easy once more. The heat of the steam also reduces muscle pain, and stops them from feeling so bad.

Hopefully this has explained some of the sauna benefits in more detail. Next time you’re asked why you spend so much time in the sauna, you have the perfect reason!

Photo Acknowledgements:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aburt/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wanhoff/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarkstonscamp/with/4680447328/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncleweed/with/303716492/