10 Health Benefits of Saunas – Part 2
For over 100 Years, Finnleo has been making saunas and steam rooms and have grown to be the largest Sauna manufacturer in the world. They are renowned their commitment to quality and for creating Saunas and Steam rooms that are elegant in design and equipped with the finest technology available. Last week we looked at numbers 1-5 of the top Health & Wellness benefits of sauna use, and this week we will focus on numbers 6-10. There are so many great reasons to own your own Sauna! (Check out #1-5 here!).
6. Varicose & Spider Veins
All blood vessels – whether veins or arteries – expand in heat. As a result, some people say you should avoid warm baths and warm climates if you suffer from vein disorders, so as not to put yet more strain on veins which are already enlarged. However, using a sauna means the brief dilatory stimulus is followed by a cold stimulus which makes veins and arteries contract suddenly. So it’s like targeted exercise for your blood vessels. Using a Sauna improves your blood flow to such an extent that it actually reduces the risk of thrombosis, varicose veins and other vein disorders such as Spider Veins.
7. Improved Cardiovascular Performance
In the high temperatures of a sauna, your skin heats up and your core body temperature rises. In response to these increased heat levels, the blood vessels near the skin dilate and “cardiac output” increases. Medical research has shown that the heart rate can rise from 60-70 bpm (beats per minute) to 110-120 bpm in the sauna (140-150 with more intensive bathing), and can often sink to below normal after the cooling off stage. With regular Sauna usage, we not only train our heart muscles and improve the heart rate/cardiac output, but we also help the body’s regulatory system. Even more, cardiovascular conditioning takes place when the sauna bathing is taken in multiple “innings”, with sessions in the sauna separated by a cool shower or a quick dip into a pool or lake. Each time you rapidly change temperature (from hot to cool or vice-versa), your heart rate increases by as much as 60%, which is very comparable to the increase experienced during moderate exercise.
8. Weight Loss
You probably already know that taking a sauna can be relaxing and can relieve stress but can you really use a sauna to lose weight?
Sweating and overheating forces your body to work harder, your heart to pump faster and so, this therapeutic activity can indeed be helpful for weight loss. Sauna use increases your circulation; makes you sweat and helps you shed salt and water, thereby enabling you to lose extra weight. Sauna use also helps boost your metabolism, which helps your body to convert more calories into usable energy. Regular sauna use is an ideal extra tool to add to your arsenal when it comes to burning off additional calories!
9. Immune System Boost
German medical research has shown that regular sauna use can significantly reduce the occurrences of colds and flu. As the body is exposed to the heat of sauna and steam (in the case of a Traditional sauna) it produces white blood cells more rapidly, which in turn helps to fight illnesses and helps to kill viruses. In addition, Saunas can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from colds or allergies – especially when used with steam. The steam vapor action helps to clear up unwanted congestion and is a wonderful aspect of Finnleo’s Finnish sauna experience. Adding Eucalyptus Oil, which is great for colds, congestion, clearing sinuses or for helping any upper respiratory ailment, to your Sauna gives another luxurious element to your sauna and will increase your overall enjoyment of the sauna. Essential oils can be added to traditional saunas and Infrared saunas alike (fragrance dispensers are available for use in Infrared saunas).
10. Feel Great!
A Finnleo Sauna not only feels good, but it’s also good for your body, mind, and soul. Whether it’s the physiological changes that occur during the warmth of a Sauna, or if it’s simply the time spent in the calming and still retreat of the sauna. Every seasoned Helo Sauna bather agrees – it feels wonderful! As we progress through our stressful everyday lives, the sauna provides a pampering retreat – where we can relax and restore body and soul. Sauna bathing truly helps you Feel Better, Look Better and Sleep Better!
The Sundance Sauna Store is a provider of high-quality Finnleo Saunas, including Traditional, Infrared and Steam Generators who service the GTA and Niagara Region. We have locations in Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville, St. Catharines & Vaughan. In addition to these saunas, we are also a supplier of Sundance Hot Tubs – The best built Hot Tubs in the world!
