5 surprising health benefits of saunas
Ask any person in Finland and they’ll admit that their sauna obsession is an integral part of their culture, often being the focal point of the home. And our Scandi friends may well be on to something, with the popularity of saunas spreading fast and offering not only a touch of spa-like luxury, but a myriad of health benefits.
Saunas across the Finnish capital today will be opening their doors to celebrate the very first Sauna Day. Eva Kiviranta of Visit Finland says: ‘They have been used for centuries to cleanse and heal the body, soothe the mind, and improve wellbeing.’
Put simply, a sauna is a small room designed for heat sessions, which can either be dry or wet, traditionally known for cleaning and refreshing the body.
Typically, saunas have long been used for relaxation, weight loss and stress relief, with these health benefits being well recognised amongst experts. But a sauna can offer so much more than just a moment to relax and offering a variety of health benefits from lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity and younger looking skin.
Here are some surprising wellbeing boosts to keep in mind during your next heat session.
1 Lowers Blood Pressure
A regular visit to a sauna could be great for your heart. A study from the University of Oulu, Finland, suggested that regular heat sessions might help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. What’s more, a sauna allows you to relax and your mental state is an important component of your blood pressure reading.
2 Flushes out toxins
Nowadays, we’re exposed to toxins wherever we go; in our environment and even in our food. So it only seems natural to use a sauna to aid the detoxification process. One of the main ways our bodies flushes out toxins from the body is through sweating, and – lets face it – you’re going to sweat a lot in a sauna.
3 Burns calories
Yes, really – you can literally just sit there, relax and lose weight. Obviously, a sauna should not replace exercise, but when you’re in a sauna your cardiac output is increased. This in turn means your blood flow increases, helping circulation, bringing more oxygen to our muscles and increasing your metabolic rate. All this sweating requires a lot of energy and, according to US research, a person can easily sweat off 500g in a sauna in a single session, burning around 300 calories in the process.
4 Leads to glowing, healthy skin
Forget expensive creams and facials, this is one of the oldest tricks in the book for cleansing the skin and looking young; the intensity of the heat of a sauna makes it a great way to hydrate your skin. Julie Jacobs French of Ice Clinic, Beckenham, says: ‘I see it as exercise for the skin, just a few sessions can improve blood flow and bring nutrients to the skin, making it look fresh and youthful.’
5 Fights illness and boosts immunity
If you’re feeling run down, a session in the sauna can help improve your immune system as it stimulates your white blood cells, which are much needed to keep us fit and healthy. In a six-month study, Australian researchers found people who had a sauna twice a week caught half as many colds compared to those who didn’t. In addition, research from the University of Vienna concluded that regular sauna bathing probably reduces the incidence of common colds. To really make the most of your time in the sauna, Jacobs French suggests to ‘try body brushing while in there for a double dose of toxin elimination.’
Who are we to argue?!
Do you love using saunas? Tell us why @healthymag – we love to hear from you!
