‘The Sauna Life’ is a combined presence of mind, body and spirit. Taking the time to heat bathe in a sauna (either infrared or traditional) can provide wonderful benefits and enhance your lifestyle in many ways.

In today’s lifestyles, many of us do not actively sweat on a daily basis. Numerous medical studies show that “deep sweating” brings about a multitude of health benefits. Regular bathing in a sauna provides all of the benefits derived from a deep sweat.

Top 10 health benefits of sauna use

1. Relieves stress

The #1 most cited benefit of sauna bathers. Medical studies

clearly show stress in our daily lives affects our health. In fact, the

vast majority of disease is stress related. The sauna provides stress

relief in a number of ways:

It’s a warm quiet space without any distractions. Step into a sauna and

close the door on the rest of the world.

The heat of the sauna relaxes the body, improves circulation and

stimulates the release of endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good

chemical, providing a wonderful “after sauna glow.”

2. Relaxes Muscles and Soothes Aches and Pains in Muscles and Joints

Under high heat, the body releases endorphins which can have a mild and

enjoyable tranquilizing effect and the ability to quell the pain of

arthritis (and muscle soreness from an intense physical workout).

Body temperature rises from the heat of the sauna, causing blood vessels

to dilate and circulation to increase. The increased blood flow

accelerates the body’s natural healing process – soothing aches and

pains and quickening the healing of cuts and bruises.

Following sporting activity, use the heat and steam of a sauna for

muscle relaxation by helping to reduce muscle tension and eliminate

lactic acid and other toxins.

3. Flushes Toxins

In today ‘s lifestyles, many of us don’t actively sweat on a daily

basis. Deep sweating has multiple health benefits. Regular sauna bathing

provides the benefits derived from a deep sweat:

In the heat of a sauna, the core body temperature begins to rise. The

blood vessels dilate, causing increased blood flow. The core body

temperature rises which sends signals to the millions of sweat glands

covering the body. Sweat production is primarily for cooling the body,

and is composed of 99% water – but deep sweating in a sauna can help

reduce levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury and chemicals – all

toxins commonly picked up from our environment.

There is no shortage of books from doctors and practitioners alike

touting the benefits of detoxifying our bodies. As many doctors will

attest, saunas are one of the best means to detoxify our bodies.

4. Cleanses Skin

Saunas are one of the oldest and most famous beauty and health

treatments for the skin.

When deep sweating occurs, the skin is cleansed and dead skin cells are

replaced, keeping your skin in good working condition.

Sweat rinses bacteria out of the epidermal layer and sweat ducts.

Cleansing of the pores improves the capillary circulation and gives the

skin a soft, beautiful appearance. Bathing your skin in sweat on a

regular basis staves off the collagen breakdown that results in wrinkles

and sags.

By continually flushing body waste through individual cells, one

eventually brings back vitality, tone and a healthy glow to the skin.

Sauna is not a cure for acne, but often helps due to the deep cleansing

it provides from a deep sweat (cleaning the pores from the inside out).

5. Induces a Deeper sleep

Research shows a deeper sleep can result from sauna use. In addition to

the release of endorphins, when body temperature is raises in the late

evening, it will fall at bedtime, facilitating sleep. Numerous sauna

bathers around the world tout the deep sleep they experience after sauna

use.

6. Recreational and Social Benefits

While the social benefit is rarely touted, it should not be trivialized.

The sauna can be a private personal retreat or a relaxing environment

for socializing with family and friends. The sauna environment is ideal

for openness, quiet conversation and intimacy.

7. Improves Cardiovascular Performance

Medical research shows the heart rate can rise from 60-70/min. to

110-120/min. in the sauna (140-150 with more intensive bathing), and can

often sink to below normal after the cooling off stage. With regular

sauna use, we not only train our heart muscles and improve the heart

rate/cardiac output, but we also positively influence the regulatory

system.

Further cardiovascular conditioning occurs when the sauna is taken in

multiple “innings,” with sessions in the sauna separated by a cool

shower or a dip into a cool pool or lake. Every time you rapidly change

temperature (from hot to cool or vice versa), your heart rate increases

by as much as 60% – comparable to moderate exercise.

8. Burns Calories

Outlandish claims are often made by some sauna sellers (primarily

infrared) to promote saunas as a weight loss tool. While some

individuals may experience high amounts of calories burned initially –

particularly those individuals in poor shape – over the long term,

saunas are simply treated as another tool in our arsenal to burn

additional calories.

The sweating process itself takes a lot of energy. That energy is

derived from the conversion of fat and carbohydrates in a process that

burns up calories.

The body consumes calories by way of accelerated heart activity

(cardiovascular section). As heart activity increases demanding more

oxygen, the body converts more calories into energy.

9. Fights Illness

German sauna medical research shows saunas significantly reduced the

incidence of colds and influenza. As the body is exposed to a sauna’s

heat and steam (traditional), it produces white blood cells more rapidly

– which in turn help fight illness and help kill viruses.

Saunas can relieve sinus congestion from colds or allergies – especially

when used with steam (add eucalyptus to the water for added benefit and

enjoyment). The steam vapor action helps clear up uncomfortable

congestion and is a wonderful part of the Finnish sauna experience.

10. Feels Good

A sauna not only feels good, it’s good for you. Whether it’s the

physiological changes that occur in the warmth of a sauna, or if it’s

simply the time spent in the calm, still retreat of the sauna, all who

sauna agree – it feels wonderful! As we go through our daily stressful

lives, the sauna provides a pampering retreat-where we can relax and

restore body and soul.

For more information on traditional or far-infrared saunas, contact Mainely Tubs at

800-479-7935 or visit www.mainelytubs.com/Products/Saunas.html.