The Ancient Practice That Makes People Happier, Healthier, And More Attractive — According To Modern Research
People have used dry saunas to improve their health for thousands of years. Modern research says they've been right all along.
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock It was that time of year once again. Sauna time. My wife, Adi, cheerfully reminded me that I haven’t been parking in the sauna lately and she convinced me to start once again.
In fairness, I have let this good habit slip by me lately, and intuitively, I knew it was time to start getting back into the sauna. I know how important this health hack is and it comes with a myriad of benefits.
I set myself up in our portable (yes, portable and easy to use) Thersage Infrared Sauna, and, to pass the time, I played a game of chess while I was there.
Leading Australia-based One Eleven Health explains that "Ayurveda, known as the 'Mother of Medicines,' has been using various sweating therapies, including 'hot rooms' like saunas for more than 5,000 years." These rooms were used not only to improve physical health but also to enhance our spiritual experience.
The ancient science of Ayurvedic medicine teaches us that detoxification, relaxation, and energy generated from an infrared sauna can help us achieve a balance of the mind and body and connect with the infinite power of nature.
Just as the mind and body are interconnected, so are the benefits of sweating therapy, infrared sauna, and the ancient science of Ayurvedic medicine.
The knowledge of Ayurveda teaches how to align with the infinite power of nature to live a long and healthy life with maximum fulfillment, abundance, and freedom. Each day we are exposed to multiple heavy metals, toxins, and pollutants and saunas help to detoxify our systems of each of these potentially harmful intruders.
Our skin is our largest organ and by opening our pores we create an environment to release these potentially harmful invaders while in the process purifying our body, mind, and spirit.
Saunas have many benefits including improved blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and cleansing of the skin while boosting our immunity. The byproduct of this is an expanded consciousness that offers an enhanced spiritual experience through the mind-body connection of the sweating human.
As Adi explained to me the overall benefits of doing regular saunas, I came to realize the importance of maintaining the practice regularly (with her persistent encouragement). Let’s take a close look at some of the benefits.
6 Benefits Of Dry Saunas And Sweat Therapy
1. Improved cardiovascular health
Even a starter-kit dry sauna (which is essentially what Adi and I have) can boost overall body circulation. Regular treatments stimulate the internal layer of blood vessels, and this helps blood pressure regulation. The induced sweat also speeds up the blood flow and enhances our heart health.
More so, weekly sauna sessions fight arterial stiffness and strengthen the dilation of blood vessels. Research has shown that men who made up to seven trips to the sauna per week had a 50% reduced risk of elevated blood pressure. In most cases, circulation improvements resemble the effects of moderate exercise.
Plus, due to the increased circulation, frequent sauna exposure can improve your stamina and athletic performance.
2. Elimination of toxins
Our body is prone to absorbing harmful elements that must be disposed of through urine, blood, or perspiration. Hence, heavy sweating is one of the healthiest ways to eliminate toxins.
To illustrate, phthalates (found in cosmetics, utensils, and paints) get released twice more in sweat than in urine.
Moreover, a dry sauna can help to get rid of harmful toxins, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic stored deep in the skin. Other toxins that get flushed out while sweating in the sauna include BPA, mercury, and nicotine. Each of these, when left unaddressed, provides a perfect environment for disease to manifest in the body.
3. Improved mental health
Besides physical benefits, dry saunas treat our minds in a calming way. Professional sauna chambers are comfortable, peaceful, and dark, so they boost our emotional and mental well-being. Basking in a dry heat sauna will help our mind relax by enabling it to escape from reality.
At first, we’ll experience deep relaxation and stress relief that can lower the risk of various mental disorders. Moreover, sauna heat relaxes the muscles and stimulates the production of endorphins.
These hormones are natural chemicals that make us feel good and create a glow after sauna exposure.
The list of positive mental impacts goes on. Daily sessions will reduce cortisol levels and lead to less anxiety and tension. The lower the cortisol presence, the higher your spirits and sleep quality.
4. Skin care and exfoliation
Spending time in a dry sauna is a true gift for skin health. One way to enhance our epidermis is to bring more nutrients to the skin surface to stimulate cell growth. By opening up our pores, this creates the ideal environment for cell growth and the results make for healthier and more vibrant skin.
Dry saunas also reduce skin irritation and inflammation. That’s because heavy sweating has a cleansing effect and removes impurities
Lastly, dry heat stimulates the release of beta-endorphins in the body. These natural elements diminish the perception of pain and act as sedatives. Sweating also induces the production of euphoric hormones, which fight off depression symptoms.
After a few sessions, we may notice that the dry, itchy, red patches in our skin improve while some people have witnessed acne, eczema, and psoriasis being completely healed.
Saunas will also relax facial tension and moisturize the skin. The emitted heat activates the sebaceous glands, which produce a fatty substance that lubricates the skin surface. Increased sebum production leads to luscious, rejuvenated skin with a hydrated glow. We look younger and feel better.
5. Muscle and joint recovery
Intense physical activity activates our muscles, and microscopic tears form as a result of strain. Though these tears will make our body toned, we often experience cramps, soreness, and inflammation, especially as we get older.
To strengthen our musculature, it needs to heal first and this is where heat comes into play. Dry sauna sessions will stimulate blood circulation and thus speed up muscle recovery while our accelerated bloodstream brings more oxygen to the muscles, thus relieving tension.
6. Improved immune system
Never underestimate the power of dry heat when fighting the common cold and flu. Regular sauna treatments prevent congestion and keep airways functioning. Moreover, even home sessions in a sauna blanket can lower the risk of contracting a viral infection.
Heat exposure stimulates your bloodstream to carry immunity boosters to all areas of the body. Thus, the heat shock protein that activates antigen-presenting cells comes to light. Thanks to the cytokine, our body’s natural immune system wakes up.
Once we strengthen our body’s resistance, it becomes easier to fight off the flu and other viruses and bacteria.
If possible, this is an important tool to add to anyone’s health regimen. As we are exposed to more and more toxins, heavy metals, and pollutants we need to take steps to eradicate these as expeditiously as possible.
Health Tip: Following your sauna always take a shower to cleanse yourself of any toxins that may have been released.
Happy sauna!
David Ahearn is the author of the book "Happy Accidents: The Transformative Power of 'Yes, and' at Work and in Life." He teaches organizations the secrets of 'Yes, And', which helps improve group performance, and is a sought-after speaker and host for corporate functions who lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.