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Saunas are typically used for healing and relaxation. This is because they actually work, and modern research continues to validate the numerous advantages that emerge with regular sessions.
Here are the reasons why you should consider getting the best infrared sauna you can find and letting it be a part of your daily routine.
1. Heart Health
Infrared radiation is able to penetrate human tissues. When it does, it often causes blood vessels near the skin to dilate and draw blood toward the outer surface. The heart also works hard as a result – to cool the body. Consequently, circulation intensifies. This means that oxygen-rich blood is transported to organs that need it most – a reason why most people emerge from saunas feeling invigorated.
Reduction in Blood Pressure
While blood pressure may temporarily increase upon initial sauna exposure, studies show regular use positively impacts blood pressure over the long term. How exactly does it work? The heat sends signals to the brain which prompt veins and arteries to become more elastic and pliable. As vascular function improves, blood is then able to flow more smoothly. This enhanced, adaptive capability helps regulate BP.
Results from an extensive Japanese study found that using infrared dry saunas lowered blood pressure in participants. The drop was significant. Also, in another study, researchers concluded that frequent sauna bathers were less likely to experience fatal heart-related outcomes. The risk of any cardiovascular disease was also lowered by almost a quarter.
For those using dry saunas 4-7 times per week, the statistics were even more significant with a 40% decreased risk of coronary disease and a 50% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
2. Pain Relief
A 10-15 minute sauna session delivers fresh, oxygenated blood to fatigued muscles needing repair. The heat also increases collagen elasticity allowing tired, overworked muscle tissue to unwind. Lactic acid buildup, inflammation and soreness are simultaneously flushed out.
The heat also supports the production of synovial fluid, nature’s lubricant between joints. It turns out that regular sauna use keeps joints supple and flexible while also alleviating stiffness. It is thus no surprise that users often report a renewed range of motion and less cracking/popping after consistent sessions.
Many people who are dealing with chronic muscular tension or neurological pain have found sauna sessions effective for lowering discomfort without reliance on medications. Heat exposure releases feel-good endorphins acting as natural analgesics to relax the body. Saunas reduce underlying inflammation as well.
When paired with gentle stretching or massage, sore spots further benefit from increased circulation. Those with fibromyalgia, headaches/migraines, and lower back pain experience symptom improvement with regular use.
3. Immune System Strengthening Effects
Sauna use doesn’t actually kill pathogens or treat illness – rather it complements immune function to help the body stave off infections before they occur. The dry Finnish-style saunas heat the body to mimic an artificial fever state (without the aches) known to activate disease-fighting white blood cells.
As a result, repeated sauna use teaches these cells to respond similarly when encountering invading bacteria/viruses. As immunity is enhanced, you’re less likely to get as sick or suffer symptoms quite as severe.
4. Detoxification & Body Cleansing
With virtually every bodily system mobilized in response to sauna-generated heat stress, the byproduct is a surge of cleansing sweat. Toxins lurking deep within tissues and organs are essentially wrung out. With repeated use, trapped chemicals and metals are released as layers of sweat lift away impurities.
Heavy Metal Elimination
Due to modern-day environmental exposures, many of us have at least some level of heavy metals like mercury, lead and arsenic accumulating deep within bodily tissues. Because these toxins easily penetrate cells and have lengthy half-lives within the body, they’re extremely difficult to remove.
Saunas help eliminate heavy metals in a few key ways. Firstly, sweating induced by heat therapy is one of the only methods proven to effectively draw out metal contaminants. The vibration of heat loosens tissue, allowing toxins to flow within the blood and lymphatic fluid to enter sweat glands. Additionally, increased blood flow triggered by saunas ramps up cell turnover rate. This newly generated, uncontaminated blood aids the body in offloading accumulated toxic burdens.
5. Respiratory & Sinus Symptom Relief
Between dry winter months or allergy seasons, respiratory discomfort from congestion, sinus pressure or sneezing fits seems inescapable. Mucus production ramps up when airways become irritated. While this mucus attempts to trap offenders for expulsion, it largely makes breathing feel miserable.
The heat, humidity and cleansing sweat provoked by saunas offer multi-level respiratory relief.
Draining Congestion & Thinning Mucus
Imagine how effortless nasal and bronchial drainage flows after a long shower – this same relief occurs in saunas as mucus thins and clears easily. The heat liquefies secretions while humidity prevents nasal passages from drying out. Engaging in conscious belly breathing during sessions maximizes airway expansion. Following up with a saline rinse accelerates mucus draining even more.
Opening Airways & Improving Ventilation
Ever notice yourself automatically taking big, satisfying inhalations upon entering a sauna? The heat causes air passages of the nose, throat and lungs to dilate and expand comfortably. Steam bathing is especially effective for those feeling tightness of breath as moisture gravitates toward dryer areas in need of hydration. This rehydration prevents narrowed airways prone to irritation.
6. Healthier, More Vibrant Skin
The idea of drenching in sweat may seem at odds with getting that coveted “glow”. Yet sauna benefits for skin health abound thanks to the deep cleansing, increased blood flow and collagen production induced below the surface. Sweat washes away pore-clogging impurities as vibrant circulation delivers nutrition.
Collagen Stimulation & Anti-Aging
Heat stress ramps up the production of new collagen fibers which support skin structure and resilience. These protein building blocks also gradually replace older, more damaged ones. Specifically, levels of the glycine amino acid double during intermittent sauna use – glycine makes up 1/3 of collagen, so more is generated with each session.
Observational evidence clearly demonstrates a more youthful tone, smaller pores, diminished fine lines, and tighter structure as occur with regular use. When paired with sunscreen, saunas can absolutely promote anti-aging external rejuvenation.
Clearing of Body Breakouts
Excess oil, makeup residues, accumulated chemical ingredients, and dead skin cells turn pores into congested breeding grounds for inflammatory breakouts. Deep sweating unclogs pores not only on the face but also common body areas (think upper back/chest) prone to congestion and recurring zits. Young adults struggling with acne often see significant improvement in eliminating triggers with sauna detox.
Additionally, circulation stimulated by dry heat pulls fresh nutrients toward the epidermis while flushing away inflammatory debris. This allows the skin to function optimally.
When paired with adequate water intake before and after sessions, saunas boost moisture content within the dermis by moving water from lower layers closer to the surface. Sweat also triggers sebum production to protect surface integrity.
7. Mental Health & Stress Management
Beyond the physical toxicity wrought by environmental pollutants, the barrage of psychological toxins in day-to-day life can be equally hazardous over time. From digital noise pollution to work demands or financial worries, stress chemicals chronically flood the system.
Cortisol & Stress Hormone Reduction
Cortisol maintains cycles of high alert activated by modern stresses. While acutely lifesaving, chronic cortisol accumulation suppresses immunity, ignites inflammation and encourages weight gain. Saunas provoke a short-term stress – mimicking workout effects – this heat sends signals to the brain, effectively overriding cortisol production long-term. Studies confirm just 8-week sauna regimes slash stress hormone levels comparable to 6 months of regular exercise.
Boosting of “Feel Good” Neurochemicals
Just as muscles experience workout recovery during sauna use, the mind similarly unwinds. Physical relaxation is complemented by a cascade of endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine – brain chemicals producing happiness, pleasure, and mood stabilization. Mental clarity and focus also improve for hours post-session.
Overall Stress Resilience
With routine use, saunas retrain the mind-body stress response making it easier to disengage from and unload physical and mental tensions alike. Users describe sessions as deeply meditative thanks to the absence of electronics, solitude, and liberation felt by shrugging off accumulated toxins. This dedicated space to simply sit and be, helps develop self-awareness and long-term stress coping skills.
8. Metabolic and Body Composition Optimization
Incorporating saunas into lifestyle habits that are already focused on nutrition and exercise can help give your metabolism the nudge it needs – through a thermogenic effect. This translates to easier weight loss and management long-term.
Increased Calorie Burn During Each Session
Based on average time/temperature, men burn roughly 300 calories per sauna session whereas women burn upwards of 250. While a large percentage is water weight initially, consistent users who rehydrate post-sweat observe more fat loss compared to non-sauna days with equal diet/exercise. This indicates greater energy expenditure during sessions – likely due to the demands of sweating.
Over a week or month, the calorie deficit and metabolism impact is quite substantial, accelerating efforts to trim down.
Reduction of Bloating & Water Retention
Bloating or swelling around the middle can be uncomfortable and disheartening, even for very health-conscious individuals. Why does it happen? For some, hormones cause fluids to shift and accumulate underneath skin tissue. For others, processed ingredients lead to intestinal inflammation allowing toxins through gut walls so areas swell as they’re quarantined.
Saunas tackle bloating by removing toxins directly via sweat while also enhancing detoxification pathways to prevent reabsorption. Increased circulation prevents blood from pooling while better lymphatic flow discourages water pooling under the skin. For many, the result is a leaner figure and flatter stomach long term.
9. Restorative Sleep
While saunas energize the body with improved circulation, oxygenation, and toxin elimination, sessions also set the stage for sounder sleep. Using a dry infrared or steam sauna before bed allows muscles to fully unwind while slowing mental chatter. Gentle heating followed by cooling prepares the body for slumber similar to natural biofeedback cycles directing sleep phases.
Regulating The Sleep/Wake Cycle
Our circadian rhythms regulate sleepiness according to body temperature throughout the day – a warmer core temperature promotes wakefulness while cooler phases indicate sleep. Saunas essentially accelerate this natural rhythm by quickly elevating core body heat followed by rapid cool down.
Using a sauna at night helps lipids in cell membranes to melt more quickly just as melatonin production peaks. This allows muscles and the mind to relax deeply once exiting the warmth. The effect helps night owls fall asleep more easily and wake less throughout the night.
10. Longevity & Disease Prevention
From cancer risks to cognitive decline, many chronic illnesses develop faster and more aggressively in the presence of toxins and inadequate detoxification pathways. Saunas attack disease-linked toxicity on two fronts – directly eliminating chemicals/metals via sweat while also enhancing internal cleansing processes through improved circulation.
