We all lead busy lifestyles, but it’s important to take some time out for yourself to relax and recharge. Spa breaks are a great way to do this, you can take some well-needed time away from your daily responsibilities, and focus on yourself, your well-being, and your health. Saunas are a popular choice as a way of total relaxation, but did you know they can also provide a huge range of health benefits? From relieving aches and pains to opening your airways – using a sauna regularly can help you to live a healthier life. Read more about this below.
Types of Saunas
Saunas are typically heated to around 70-100 degrees Celsius. You will find that depending on the type of sauna that you use, there may be different levels of humidity. For example, a sauna that uses dry heat has a lower level of humidity than a sauna that uses water, like a Turkish sauna. There are a variety of saunas that you might come across, they can include:
- Wood-burning sauna – these types of saunas use wood to heat the room, they are often low in humidity but can produce very high temperatures
- Infrared sauna – This is a lower temperature sauna that uses light waves to heat a person’s body rather than the room
- Steam room – these have the same premise as a sauna but are different in the way that they use steam to create a high temperature and moist heat
- Electrically heated – this type of sauna uses electricity to heat the room, resulting in dry, high heat
Deciding which type of sauna is best for you is essential, for example, you may prefer low humidity or dry heat. Once you’ve made your decision, you can use a sauna to your advantage, boasting a huge range of health benefits, they can help you to live a long and healthy life. We’ll explore these in more detail below.
Relieves pain
Saunas are great for easing aches and pains. People that suffer from sore and aching joints often say that warmth relieves the pain, meaning saunas can benefit people that suffer from conditions like arthritis. This is because the heat in the sauna results in your heart rate increasing and your blood vessels opening. This helps to increase circulation around the body, improving sore and stiff joints.
Reduces stress & blood pressure
A lot of us find a visit to the sauna relaxing. The calm, warm environment is inviting – it’s no wonder that using a sauna can help reduce levels of stress, as well as improve symptoms of anxiety! It has been said that regular use of a sauna can reduce cortisol levels in the brain, which is our main stress hormone, so by taking some time out to visit a sauna, you can leave feeling calm and collected. It is a great way to improve your mental well-being.
Asthma
If you suffer from asthma, visiting a sauna can help alleviate some of your symptoms. The warm air in the sauna can help to open your airways, making it easier to breathe and clear your system of phlegm. It can loosen up a tight chest and make breathing more comfortable. The relaxing nature of the sauna can also help to improve symptoms.
Cardiovascular benefits
Stress can often bring on a range of dangerous cardiovascular events. It could be said that using a sauna to control your stress levels and relax regularly, can help you to avoid the risk of cardiovascular diseases. There could also be links between lower blood pressure and sauna use, as well as potentially enhancing the function of your heart. That’s not to say that you should stop exercising and use the sauna instead – but by combining the two, you may just end up living a longer, healthier life.
