A sauna is any room or building where high heat (generally of at least 160°F or 71°C ) is used as a form of therapy. While there are a variety of different kinds of saunas — traditional woodburning, electrical, and infrared — what all have in common are certain health benefits.
One benefit of visiting a sauna derives from what saunas do to muscles. High heat has a therapeutic effect on strained, tight, and sore muscles. As the body warms, blood circulation increases, helping the body heal muscle trauma. A sauna can thus be a great way to help recover from an intense workout. The increase in circulation can also reduce pain from other conditions (such as arthritis) and improve joint mobility.
Stress relief is another area in which saunas provide benefit. Experiencing the high heat of a sauna triggers the release of dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, all of which are brain chemicals associated with positive emotions such as euphoria and calm. By allowing the body to relax, saunas also aid in the regulation of the stress hormone cortisol. Stress relief itself has numerous health benefits, such as improving sleep quality.
Psychologically, a sauna is a place where a person can get away from their cares and worries. A sauna is a quiet room without distractions. When the door to a sauna is shut, the outside world temporarily goes away. Many people find visiting a sauna to be an intensely relaxing experience. Simply setting aside time for an activity that makes no particular demands on attention and focus can improve mental wellness.
While saunas appear safe for most, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure and heart disease should check with their doctors before taking a sauna.
Here are some general precautions according to health.harvard.eu:
• Avoid alcohol and medications that may impair sweating and produce overheating before and after your sauna.
• Stay in no more than 15–20 minutes.
• Cool down gradually afterward.
• Drink two to four glasses of cool water after each sauna.
• Don’t take a sauna when you are ill, and if you feel unwell during your sauna, head for the door.
