Sauna Therapeutic Benefits

Sauna and associated mechanisms to promote health through concentrated heat exposure represent a long-standing, time honoured tradition.

The Mayans used sweat houses some 3,000 years ago. The ancient Romans were big fans of bath houses and exposure to hot and cold, where the caldarium was the hottest room in the bathhouse with air temperatures prospectively rising well above 100°F. 

The more obvious benefits of sauna use include pleasure and relaxation which, quite frankly, are hard to top. Why wouldn’t one reasonably seek to maximise pleasure, relaxation and joy in our lives?! However, you’ll be pleased to know that the apparent benefits do extend beyond pure simple pleasure and indulgence.

The Mayo Clinic notes among the prospective benefits of traditional sauna use the reduction in the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and neurocognitive diseases; nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary diseases; mortality; as well as amelioration of conditions such as arthritis, headache, and flu.

In more practical terms, the following are the major benefits that have been observed as one makes a commitment to regular sauna sessions.

  • Sauna sessions can induce a relaxation response in the body. According to a 2020 research

    review, exposure to a sauna’s heat evokes physiological responses that help regulate

    hormones associated with the body’s stress response [1] .

    These relaxing effects may translate to better sleep, too. In a small survey of men and women who sauna bathed one to two times per week, 83.5% reported improved sleep after sauna use [2] .

  • Research indicates that saunas may provide temporary relief from chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia

  • Improved cardiovascular health is a compelling reason to hit up the sauna. In a 20-year

    cohort study of 2,315 middle-aged men, regular sauna use (one to seven times weekly) was

    protective against the risk of death from cardiac events like heart attack and stroke and all-

    cause mortality—outcomes that improved with frequency of sauna use [4] .

  • Sauna therapy promotes respiratory health by humidifying the airways, promoting bronchodilation (relaxation of the lungs and widening of the airways) and reducing airway inflammation. A 20-year cohort study of 1,935 middle-aged men found an association between sauna bathing and a reduced risk of acute and chronic respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and pneumonia [6] .

  • In response to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or tissue damage, the immune system triggers inflammation, marked by an increase in white blood cell activity. Chronic or systemic inflammation is inflammation that persists over time due to stress, autoimmune disorders and other factors. Chronic inflammation is harmful because it can lead to health problems like heart disease, arthritis and cancer. An 11-year cohort study of 2,269 men ages 42 to 61 found that four to seven sauna sessions weekly resulted in reduced systemic inflammation [7] .

“Sweat today, sparkle tomorrow”

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