The sauna is known for the general health benefits and mood-enhancing feeling it gives the user. There are many sauna benefits, which can affect to the mind and body of a sauna user. Sauna is an excellent way to make one’s immune system stronger, by introducing a controlled use of hot and cold stimulation. The body’s natural reaction to the heat of a sauna is the expansion of one’s blood vessels in the skin and muscles. Further, through the process of perspiration, acid and waste are removed from the blood, aiding the kidney’s ability to filter out impurities. In the sauna one’s pores open up, allowing the flushing out of impurities and acne-producing bacteria. A hot sauna with an alternating cold shower is an excellent thermo-massage for the pores and blood vessels of one’s skin and muscles. This kind of thermo-therapy helps one build tolerance to weather changes. Scientific data shows that people who regularly use saunas get flu and colds ten times less than the average. Sauna is an excellent way to make our immune systems stronger by the use of hot, cold and humid stimulants.

Check out more sauna benefits below:

Tension and stress relief

With a sauna, one will feel rejuvenated and more energetic. Alleviated stress equals a more restful sleep.

Soothe and relax muscles

After a hard day of work or exercise, the sauna helps improve ones range of motion by loosening tight muscles. After a workout, the sauna is a good way to clear out built-up lactic acids. The sauna relaxes sore muscles as well as relieving stiffness.

Calming of mind

When the body is relaxed ones mind remains calmer. The sauna promotes a wonderful sense of well being.

Condition the heart

Finnish researchers have reported that the regular use of saunas helps condition the blood vessels. Vessels become more elastic and pliable, due to regular dilation and contraction, from the process of heating and cooling the body repeatedly. Ones heart rate increases in the sauna creating a demand for more oxygen that burns calories and provides a mild workout for the heart.

Improve circulation

With sauna heat, blood vessels dilate and bring blood closer to the surface of the skin, with blood vessels expanding to accommodate the increased blood flow, circulation in the extremities improves.

Aid arthritic pain

Heat therapy benefits joint and muscle pain and helps with range of motion.

Helps maintain clear, healthy skin

Blood flow to the skin increases, skin pores are opened and the heat stimulates the epidermis, thus increasing circulation. Vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels) brings essential fluids to the surface of the skin, enhancing collagen production that maintain skin elasticity and a wrinkle-free complexion.

Toxins and impurities removed from the body

Perspiration induced by a sauna opens skin pores and naturally expels impurities and toxins from the body. Many detoxification programs use the sauna daily to rid the body of toxins. The sauna is used to sweat out nicotine, radiation, pesticides, and other toxins. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and 30% of body wastes exit through it.

Allergies and sinus congestion relief

Steam inhalation is excellent for relieving throat irritations and helping the inflammation of upper respiratory mucous membranes. Sauna steam loosens secretions and can stimulate discharge of mucous from the lungs and throat.

Aid kidney function

Sauna bathing can augment proper kidney function. Perspiration through skin pores excretes a good amount of the body’s wastes and reduces the load put on the kidneys. Sweating is such an effective detoxifier that some doctors recommend sauna usage to help aid persons on kidney dialysis.

Sauna is the only bath in the world in which both dry and damp air is present at the same time. The high heat (average of 180∞ F) and the low humidity (about 25%) create an environment that promotes total body perspiration with deep cleansing of pores. This total perspiration helps maintain clear, healthy skin and provides a ‘glowing’ appearance. Saunas are wonderful place of relaxation. The soft heat and humidity soothes and relaxes tired muscles, relieving stress, and promoting a feeling of contentment and well being. During a sauna, blood circulation increases, breathing increases, and the pulse rate quickens acting as mild exercise and conditioner to your heart. A sauna is more beneficial whenever used in addition to a proper diet and exercise program. To avails maximum sauna benefits you need to follow some rules & regulations while taking sauna. Always keep yourself properly hydrated before, during and after sauna.