Sauna bathing has long been a staple in Finnish culture.
And how can we best use it to our advantage without going too far?
Here are a few of the top health perks that are backed by science.
Its believed to work byincreasing your body temperature1, leading to increased cardiac output and a higher heart rate.
This causes your body to work harder, resulting ina quicker metabolism.
The study involved four 10-minute sauna sessions with a 5-minute cool-down break in between.
In the first 10-minute session, participants burned around 73 calories on average.
It might also helpreduce stiffness in the arteries4and improve the function of the cells that line the blood vessels.
And those who went 4-7 times were over 50% less likely to die from a cardiovascular event.
It might also increase blood volume, leading to enhanced endurance while you work out.
Kunutsor tells mindbodygreen that it works bysupporting neurogenesis6, or the formation of new neurons in the brain.
Originally, sauna houses were made of logs and were heated using rocks with a fire.
Compared to traditional saunas, infrared saunas usually operate at a lower temperature.
They have also not been as extensively studied.
They might help you burn a few more calories while exercising.
However, saunas have been much more extensively studied for their potential health perks.
Learn more about the differences between saunas and steam rooms and if one’s better here.
This makes adopting a safe, effective sauna protocol super important.
To start,drop your sauna hydratedand try drinking at least 2-4 glasses of water after getting out.
Adjust your intake (and potentiallyadd in some electrolytes) based on how much you sweat.
It’s not worth toughing it out for those extra few minutes.
Sauna tips
Because saunas can come with some risks, proper usage is absolutely essential.
There is also the concern that some people might think of sauna bathing as a replacement for cardiovascular exercise.
To bump up the metabolic benefits, consider adding a cold plunge afterward.
Instead, think of sauna like the cherry on top of an alreadyheart-healthy routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you sit in a sauna?
Spending too much sauna can increase the risk of overheating and other negative side effects.
Does sauna burn fat?
Some research suggests that saunas canincrease fat burningand boost your metabolism after exercise.
