9 Surprising Health Benefits of Saunas

People all over the world have been enjoying saunas for many years. By definition, a sauna is a small house or room that uses either dry or steam heat to induce perspiration. Research has shown that the regular use of saunas has a multitude of health benefits, and some of them may surprise you! We have compiled a list of the top 9.

Flushes Toxins. The primary benefit of a sauna is that it induces a deep sweat. Sweating is one of the best ways to eliminate the buildup of environmental toxins in your body. Doctors agree that regularly detoxifying your body is beneficial to your health. Relieves Stress. We all know the negative effects that stress can have on our overall health. Relaxing in the warm, serene environment of a sauna can help eliminate stress in a number of ways. The heat from the sauna relaxes muscles and stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural chemicals released by our bodies that give you that "feel good" vibe. Soothes Aches and Pains. Whether you are suffering from arthritis or just trying to recover from a tough workout, those magical endorphins released during sauna use also help to soothe aching joints and muscles. Increased blood flow to tired and strained muscles also helps them to recover quickly. Cleanses the Skin. Sweating is an excellent way to keep your skin looking fresh and young. Sweating helps cleanse the skin by rinsing out bacteria and dead skin cells, leaving your skin with a healthy glow. It also prevents the breakdown of skin collagen that can lead to wrinkles and sagging. Great Hair. Humans have a special gland on their scalps called the sebaceous gland. Spending time in a sauna activates the sebaceous gland, causing it to release a substance that helps condition and moisturize hair. Improves Cardiovascular Health. When you sit in a hot sauna, your body temperature rises rapidly, also causing an increase in heart rate. Medical research shows that the heart rate can rise from 60-70 bpm (beats per minute) to 110-120 bpm in a sauna. This increase is comparable to that felt during moderate exercise. The heat also dilates the capillaries and improves blood flow to and from your heart. Burns Calories. Although saunas are not useful for extreme weight loss, a certain amount of calories are burned off due to the energy the body needs during the sweating process. The average person will burn about 300 calories per sauna session. Boosts the Immune System. As the body is exposed to the heat of a sauna, it produces white blood cells more rapidly, which in turn helps fight illnesses and kill viruses. Steam saunas can also help relieve sinus congestion associated with colds and allergies. Helps with Endurance. Regular use of saunas increases the body's heat tolerance. Increased heat tolerance improves performance during endurance sports. Athletes are better able to maintain energy levels with decreasing fatigue.

For more information on the health benefits of saunas, contact one of your exclusive pool and spa stores in the St. Paul, MN, area.