A proactive approach to health is the best way to protect ourselves from medical conditions such as those that affect our brain and heart.
As a result, we’ve turned to natural remedies like saunas that offer little to no negative side effects but offer numerous benefits.
One of the main questions people want to know is, does sauna burn calories?
The short answer is yes, but saunas offer several benefits in addition to helping you burn calories.
The heat in a sauna causes your body temperature to rise.
Your body’s response to increased temperature is to cool you off by sweating.
Your heart rate accelerates to produce the sweat, and the higher your heart rate is the more calories you burn.
You may also be wondering, how many calories do you burn in a sauna?
Studies have shown you can burn several hundred calories during one session in a sauna.
The exact number of calories you burn depends on your age, weight, sex, the temperature of the sauna, how long your session is, and several other factors.
More importantly, saunas offer a multitude of health benefits that range from reducing stress and health risks to encouraging socializing. Let’s consider what a sauna is and how using one can benefit you.
What is a Sauna?
A sauna is a room or bathhouse that utilizes steam and high temperatures, causing occupants to sweat during sauna sessions.
The temperatures and humidity in a sauna may differ depending on the facility, but they tend to be between 140 to 190 Fahrenheit.
The heat in a sauna might also be lower or higher depending on the preference of those in the room.
Many saunas have heated rocks inside the room so you and your group can steadily increase the temperature which allows everyone to gradually adjust to the heat.
Six Benefits of Using a Sauna
Saunas have been used for centuries to promote physiological and psychological health.
As a matter of fact, Finlands have been using saunas for years and are one of the groups of people known for utilizing and engineering saunas.
Below, you’ll discover six ways a sauna may benefit you.
Support Cardiovascular Health
Heart disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions around the world, affecting millions of people every year.
Heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects are just a few common diseases that affect the heart.
We can reduce our risk of heart disease by exercising and eating healthy, but many people are not able to do extensive cardio and weight training exercises.
Saunas support your heart’s health because your heart must work harder to produce sweat.
This work is the equivalence of doing a low impact cardio workout with less physical strain on your body.
Post Workout Recovery
It is no secret that heat helps the muscles recover after strenuous activity which is why many athletes and gym-goers use saunas on a regular basis.
Moreover, while you’re in a sauna your brain releases endorphins which have been associated with relieving muscle soreness and arthritic pain.
Heat also causes blood vessels to enlarge, increasing blood flow and circulation which aids in muscle recovery after a workout.
Moreover, muscles are often tense and stiff after strenuous activities; heat helps the muscles loosen and reduces the buildup of lactic acid that occurs after a workout.
Improved Brain Function and Cognition
The endorphins that are released during sweating offer dozens of benefits including promoting brain health.
These endorphins cause you to relax, help the brain function more effectively, and can strengthen your cognitive awareness.
Numerous case studies have found that sitting in a sauna can significantly reduce your risks of Alzheimer’s and dementia two of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases.
Promotes Healthy Skin and Reduces Toxins in the Body
Acne, inflammatory skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis, and even some allergic reactions on the skin occur because of toxins and chemicals we encounter.
Sweating flushes dirt and dead skin cells from the surface of your body, essentially deep cleaning the surface of your skin.
Moreover, we build up minerals in our bodies like mercury (small doses), nickel, copper, zinc, iron (in excess), and even sodium that may cause brain fog, fatigue, or soreness.
When you sweat for several minutes as you would during a sauna session, you allow your body to flush some of these toxins out.
Socialize with Others
Studies have shown that socializing can improve brain function and mental health.
Saunas are often filled with several people, giving you plenty of opportunities to connect and relate to your peers.
Doctors have found that socializing can reduce your risk of neurodegenerative diseases as well as improve your physical health.
Those who socialize on a regular basis are more active than people who stay home which may keep you more physically fit and boost your immune system.
Socializing supports mental health because you are less depressed when you talk and engage with other people who can relate to your struggles or concerns.
Stress Relief
Sauna sessions relieve stress in numerous ways.
The endorphins that are released as your heart works harder and from your body sweating make you feel better which helps reduce stress.
Socializing with others can also reduce stress.
A sauna session produces the same feelings that a low impact exercise does, and regular activity has been proven to reduce stress.
In addition, people have used saunas for decades as a means of therapy for stress, anxiety, and depression.
The Bottom Line
The benefits of natural remedies to support mental and physical health are becoming more popular as we realize the side effects of these treatments are significantly less than prescription medications.
Furthermore, natural therapies like saunas offer multiple benefits as opposed to needing several medications to treat each other our physical and psychological conditions.
We are also taking a preventive approach to health and wellness because we’ve discovered it is easier to be healthy and live longer, happier lives if we take care of ourselves.
Saunas have proven to be exceptional therapy for heart and brain health.