Sauna feels, and has always felt good. Saunas cherish, cleanse, and heal. We have always felt it, and over the past few years that feeling has been further supported by science. That’s why it is recommended to use sauna 4 to 7 times a week at a temperature of 80 °C (175 °F), for 20 minutes at a time.
So, what are all these health benefits specifically?
Let’s start with the heart of it all. One of the most important health benefits of sauna to many is the fact that sauna protects the heart, and actually – makes the heart’s job easier. Frequent sauna bathing has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases by up to 65%. The healing heat of sauna affects the heart rate and blood pressure similar to physical activity and can, at least, lower blood pressure and maintain the flexibility of blood vessels in most people.
The heat of a sauna, specifically a traditional sauna, can also slow down or even prevent dementia. Frequent sauna bathing can reduce the risk of memory disorder by up to 60%. Going to the sauna already a few times a week was shown to decrease the risk by one fifth, but the best results were attained by going to the sauna 4 to 7 times a week at a temperature of approximately 80 °C (or 175 °F), for 20 minutes at a time.
People often notice that they sleep better after sauna. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this, researchers attribute it to the effects on hormone activity, which comes from heating up and then cooling down the body. It was discovered that there was a significant increase in the amount of deep sleep throughout the night.
Sauna also nourishes your skin and helps it retain moisture and stay more elastic. Muscle recovery is also an important effect of sauna bathing after physical activity. But did you know? Going to the sauna before a workout may be an even better method, as it has been shown to prevent muscle soreness and increase mobility after a workout?
Let’s throw a bit more water on the stones and feel what it’s like to heal with heat.
This article is provided by Harvia.
Get your tickets to the World Sauna Forum here!
