What Are The Main Health Benefits Of Saunas?

Most people do not know much about saunas and are not aware of the fact that sweating was used for different purposes for thousands of years now. For instance, around 3,000 years ago, Mayans in Central America utilized seat houses to perform religious ceremonies and improve their health. Every single culture has ways to use heat to relax, as a ritual or for therapy.

The sauna is a very old technique to utilize sweating that appeared in Finland. Now, it is increasing in popularity all around the world. Just look at the sauna heater listing by manufacturer by Saunacore to see how many sauna options are nowadays available. This is proof of popularity but why does this popularity actually exist?

What Is A Sauna?

A modern sauna is basically a room that is unpainted and that features benches and walls made out of wood. There is a rock-filled electric heater that keeps temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit at floor level. At the top, temperatures of around 185 degrees Fahrenheit are felt. As opposed to the Turkish baths, the Finnish saunas are dry, with humidity levels of 20% top. Water is draining through the floor so that everything is dry. A really good sauna always has a ventilation system that is strong and that exchanges air up to 8 times every single hour.

Health Benefits Of Saunas

Dry heat does have a strong impact on your body, with sweating starting almost instantly. An average person loses around one pint of sweat when using the sauna for a small time. It quickly evaporates though so it is hard to realize that you are actually sweating. Your skin temperature will go up fast but internal body temperature remains at safe levels.

Body temperature changes make the heart respond by increasing pulse rate. Extra blood ends being directed towards your skin. Your blood pressure can rise or fall. These changes are quickly solved after you cool down.

The sauna helps you to relax and the fact that the heart works more is not dangerous. In fact, the sauna is highly recommended for people that have heart disease since it helps them to lose weight in a safe environment, as opposed to working out when it is not possible due to the extra weight.

Saunas affect numerous body parts but most of the changes you feel are mild and brief. You will have elevated scrotal temperatures that can reduce sperm production. However, this does not lead to infertility, as some people claim.

Dry air will not hurt the lungs or skin. There are actually patients that suffered from psoriasis that reported itching relief during saunas. Asthmatics also experience reduced wheezing. Saunas are safe and the main benefit offered by them is complete body relaxation.

Conclusions

To put things as simple as possible, saunas allow you to relax and enjoy life more. They offer relief from day-to-day activities and can actually help with weight loss. At the same time, they increase your mental strength without even realizing it.