There is a renewal of interest in saunas as we are learning more about the benefits it has to offer us. As saunas become more practical to have in our homes. Also we are becoming more health conscious people are become aware of the following sauna benefits.
Infrared saunas heat our bodies up which get our hearts pumping faster as if in a workout. As Japanese studies have shown, two weeks of daily sauna benefits vascular function in patients with mild heart damage and are safer than standard exercise. Through the use of infrared saunas our blood flow increases, even after our saunas sessions ends. Additionally studies have shown that saunas decrease our blood pressure and increase arterial compliance. This means healthier and more stress resistant arteries.
While heating our bodies up produces a natural fever state that aids us in fighting off infections and illnesses. An additional benefit is the creation of disease fighting white blood cells. Heating the body spurs our immune system to increase production of these cells that flight off incoming diseases and keep our immunity higher.
Doctors recommend the use of saunas to help the body battle the symptoms of Lyme disease. Author and lifehacker Tim Ferriss credits saunas with helping him in his battle with Lyme disease. As the body accumulates a higher level of toxins (including damaging neurotoxins) the infrared saunas aids in recovery by allowing the sweat to eliminate them internally. This requires a slow build up of sessions starting at once a week to several times per week as needed. This also helps with the sore muscles and pain associated with the disease.
Infrared saunas have been shown to be 7x as effective as other traditional saunas. So detoxification is achieved through eliminating toxins through the sweat glands. Because of air conditioning and increasingly sedentary lifestyles modern people no longer sweat like we used to. So as our skin absorbs pollutants or gets increasingly clogged this puts additional strain on our organs to detoxify. Just as the body creates a fever to rid itself of harmful microorganisms, saunas can protect us and raise our immunity levels.
While not a stand-alone fix infrared saunas are a valuable addition to any weight loss toolkit. Saunas benefit us by mimicking a workout at the gym by increasing our heart rate and the body responds by increasing oxygen flow and burning calories. A whopping 600 calories can be consumed during a half hour infrared saunas session.
Finns have been noted to have incredible skin. This has been credited to the popularity of sauna in their country. Infrared waves help spur the body into increasing production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is well-known to keep skin resilient and glowing and elastin keeps wrinkles away. As blood flow increases towards the skin during a session there are increased nutrient benefits keeping us look younger and healthier.
Saunas have traditionally been popular spots for distraction-free socializing. Saunas allow for private and quiet environments for socialization. The relaxation of the heat and natural wooden ambiance lend themselves to relaxing time to catch-up, get to know each other better, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment silence together. The best saunas are designed to be relaxing environments for a time out from the rest of the world. In a natural wooden environment free from distractions the sauna has become an oasis of calm for many.
The benefits of saunas on mental health is become more and more understood and widely known. Saunas have been shown to effectively work to prevent Alzheimer’s and other mental afflictions. Part of this is due to the increased production of myelin which helps increase the rate neurons enter and leave the brain.
Saunas are popular to use after a strenuous workout for several good reasons. The first is that the increased circulation helps to deliver oxygen rich blood to the deprived muscles as well as relaxing the muscles. Saunas have also been reported to significantly raise human growth hormone that counteracts the effects of aging and increases muscle mass. Studies have also been done to prove the long term pain reducing effects of regular sauna use.