A lot has been said and written about sauna health benefits, and for all the right reasons.

Sweating is believed to be a healthy way to make you feel invigorated and a good sauna session may also help in stress relief, apart from plenty of other benefits that are associated with this practice.

A study published in the JAMA Network reveals that regular use of a sauna can not only improve your life but also make it better, especially people with the risk of a heart disease.

Sauna Temperature – how much is too much?

The right temperature depends on person to person. Some people enjoy really high heat, while there are others who prefer to sweat in dry steam.

When all the components of a sauna room, such as ceiling height, door, insulation, exhaust vent, etc., are working in perfect order, you can expect it to perform at its maximum heat potential.

A conventional sauna can heat up to anything between 160°F and 194°F, lasting about 15-minutes. You can take up to three sessions with a cool off period in between.

In an infrared sauna the air will not be as hot, as the heat is in the rays penetrating your body.

Steam rooms work with steam, and the air will not get as hot, but the humidity will make it feel more hot inside.

Portable saunas exist both with steam, and as portable infrared saunas. The latter usually more pricey.

Infrared Sauna Vs Regular Sauna

Sweating is considered by many to be one the best ways to release harmful toxins from the body.

While traditional saunas can really heat things up at 80-90°C (185-195°F),  infrared is more tolerable for people because it allows the body to sweat in a milder environment. The infrared rays heat the body directly, as opposed to heating the air in the room.

It is important to know your expectations from the experience to choose the ideal option between the two. While infrared saunas are highly enjoyable, traditional ones can turn out to be far more relaxing for some.

7 Incredible Benefits of Sauna

1. Helps relieves stress

There have been plenty of studies published in the past that prove sauna therapy’s effectiveness in stress relief. Many regular users confirm that their routine sessions help them overcome their worries and promotes relaxation.

It is no secret that stress is one of the leading causes of poor health. Stress can lead to anxiety disorders or more serious issues, such as chronic heart diseases.

However, taking a sauna every once in a while can relieve stress by providing a comforting environment in a warm setting. The heat helps calm the body muscles, enhance blood circulation and releases endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ hormone.

2. Flushes out toxins

Sweating deeply is known to have plenty of health benefits. However, not all of us are involved in heavy physical activities to induce sweating on a daily basis.

But you can still reap the benefits of deep sweating by using sauna regularly. According to a study conducted by Walter Crinnion, a naturopathy physician, this therapy is highly beneficial in improving your health, and most importantly it helps your body in releasing the harmful toxins.

With sauna bathing, your core body temperature rises, dilating the blood vessels and causing the blood flow to increase. As heat reaches the surface of the skin, the nervous system signals the sweat glands to produce sweat.

3. Get the after Sauna Glow

Hammam baths were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans centuries ago as a beauty treatment. When the body produces sweat through deep sweating, it cleanses the skin and removes the dead skin cells, giving your skin an internal glow.

4. May help in weight loss

According to a study conducted by Ward Dean, M.D., of U.S. Army medical research, it takes just a 30-minutes sessions to shed as much as 500-grams off a moderately built person. As you sweat, your body overheats and pushes it to work harder and your heart to thrust faster. As a result, your body requires more energy which is obtained by using fat as fuel.

Sauna health benefits also include loss of excess water weight, allowing your body to lose those pesky pounds.  Adding a regular session to your fitness program might according to this study accelerate your weight loss journey, making it more enjoyable than a boring gym session.

5. The feel good factor

The hot comfort just feels naturally good. It is one of the most calming experiences to give your body. No matter what the objective of your sauna therapy is, at the end of it, you just feel good.

The regular sauna-goers agree that their sessions are a great way to relax, unwind and simply feel better about themselves.

There are not just personal benefits; there is also a social benefit that many people often overlook. A sauna can be a private experience for many, where they simply want to soak in its warm luxury.

However, for some, it gives them the opportunity to share a relaxing session with friends, family members or strangers. A sauna room is a good place to start ice-breaker conversations.

6.May improve your immune system

A study conducted on Finish sauna revealed that it could work wonders on your immunity system as it helps in the production of white blood cells. It is the WBCs in our body that supports the creation of a barrier between us and the infections or sickness.

The users who take regular sessions are said to have higher white blood cell count. As a result, they are able to stay healthier and heal faster, in the case of an injury or an ailment.

7. Look good

The benefits are not just limited to health. The people who are consistent with their sauna therapies often swear by its effectiveness in improving hair and skin quality.

The sebaceous gland on our scalp releases helpful compounds that naturally moisturizes our hair and conditions them. When you spend time in the sauna, the heat in the room may triggers the gland to release more of these compounds, making the hair look shinier and healthier.

Sauna culture is widely debated to have originated in Europe. However, there is plenty of historical evidence that points towards its American roots.

Regardless of where it came from, it is certainly a popular culture in Finland and has now made inroads into the modern culture as well.

Not only do therapists believe in its valuable effects, so do common people who can feel the difference after each relaxing session.