Sauna therapy has become a go-to choice for people, whether they are looking for instant relaxation after a long tiring day or are aiming to rejuvenate their skin from the harmful effects of the external environment. Did you know that regular sauna sessions also bring with them long-term health benefits?
Health Benefits of Sauna Therapy
- Contributes to a healthy heart – Regular use of a sauna led to a 63 per cent decrease in deaths from strokes and heart diseases, with a 66 per cent reduction observed in cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia, according to an extensive study spanning two decades and covering more than 2,300 men done by researchers at University of Eastern Finland.
- Good for the skin – The heat generated during a sauna session helps in removing toxins from the skin and helps in the cleansing process. Now, you don’t have to restrict yourself to the indoors, the easy availability of good quality portable saunas comes to the rescue of people who are frequently traveling or do not want to visit sauna therapy clinics, says the team at The Sauna Place.
- Aids in weight loss – Saunas have always been known as a great way of trimming down those extra pounds and inches. During a session, you perspire and your heart pumps faster, increasing the circulation of blood in your body. There is also a sense of relaxation that one experiences during a sauna session. The fact that stress is one of the major contributors to weight gain makes the sauna a great option.
- Tackles the problem of blood pressure – “Sauna bathing leads to a significant increase in heart rate and reduction in total vascular resistance, thereby decreasing blood pressure,” says Dr. Ernst van der Wall, Chief of Cardiology at the Netherlands Leiden University Medical Centre, whose views are documented in a Time Health article.
- A must-have for respiratory relief – The feel-good factor of such therapy extends to improvement in the breathing process as well. Anyone suffering from allergies, bronchial asthma, nasal and chest congestion can feel a sense of relief after a sauna session.
While these benefits are there for the taking, it is important to understand that a sauna by itself will not do all of the work. Regular use of the sauna needs to be complemented with a healthy lifestyle, where you eat a balanced diet, stay away from junk food and exercise on a regular basis. These best practices, combined with the benefits of regular sauna therapy, can work wonders for your health and that of your family.