The Health Benefits Of Sauna
Are you a seeker of serenity and warmth? You have come to the right place if you want to get toasty, enjoy nature, look after your well-being, and connect with others. So, grab your towel, and let’s delve into the health benefits of regular sauna.
Radiance & Anti-Aging :
Look in the mirror after your next sauna, you beautiful thing! The heat invigorates your cells, giving their regenerative abilities a little kickstart. If that radiant glow is what you are after, you’ll find it in the sauna.
Metabolism, Cardiovascular, & Metabolism:
When you are in the sauna's heat or cooling down in the lake, your body needs to work harder, increasing your heart rate. As your body warms up, the blood vessels expand, promoting circulation, and your heart has a little adventure while you relax - win-win! Regular sauna has been linked to increased metabolism and decreased blood pressure (1) . The link between direct weight loss and sauna is mainly due to sweating out fluids. Don’t think of the sauna as your silver bullet to your dream body but rather as a wellness practice that will help you achieve your long-term vision.
Mental Wellbeing, Stress & Sleep:
The day and any mind chatter seem to melt away in the sauna as your body takes over and does one thing well: sweating. Saunas are the ultimate stress relievers! The heat relaxes your muscles, gets your circulation going, and releases a flush of endorphins such as prolactin, growth hormone, and noradrenaline (2) - those feel-good hormones. It’s a distraction-free, relaxing environment - a place to reflect and recalibrate your head space. Your autonomic nervous system switches from sympathetic to parasympathetic in the sauna, the rest and digest state, promoting better sleep (3).
Muscle & Joint Pain Relief:
Calling all mountain bunnies, fitness enthusiasts, and those broken bodies! Regular sauna sessions are your ally in soothing tired muscles, speeding up recovery, and reducing post-exercise soreness. Blood flow helps to relieve tension and oxygenate muscles and joints, reducing inflammation and helping with chronic pain (4).
Social Connection
Relaxation and physical health benefits aside, the sauna is a great place for healthy socialising. We always dreamt of alcohol-free activities in Wānaka after dark, and here we are! Whether sitting together in silence, braving an icy dip in the lake, or having some sauna conversation, sauna culture fosters a sense of community and connection.
The Takeaway:
From liberating stress to rejuvenating your body and uplifting your spirits, saunas are a mini-retreat for your body, soul, and hauora/holistic well-being. Regular sauna has many health benefits, as the Finnish, overseers of all things sauna, have known for generations. Although relatively new to New Zealand, sauna culture is taking off here, and for good reason. What better way to enjoy a sauna than out in the stunning nature of Wānaka?
*Disclaimer: this article is not medical advice. Please talk to your medical professional for your specific case or if you have any concerns.
References:
1: Leppäluoto, J., Tuominen, M., Väänänen, A., Karpakka, J., & Vuori, J. (1986). Some cardiovascular and metabolic effects of repeated sauna bathing. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 128(1), 77-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1986.tb07952.x.
2: Kukkonen-Harjula, K., & Kauppinen, K. (1988). How the sauna affects the endocrine system. Annals of Clinical Research, 20(4), 262-266.
3: McCorry, L. K. (2007). Physiology of the autonomic nervous system. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 71(4), 78.
4: Smith, L.L., Warmington, S.A., & Judelson, D.A. (2020). Local Heat Therapy to Accelerate Recovery After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Exerc Sport Sci Rev, 48(4), 163–169.