Are you considering owning a home sauna? Do you struggle to find time to relax? Do you have a hard time sleeping? Do you want to live a longer, healthier life? Do you just want to feel better overall?
In this blog post, we'll go over some of the top reasons why owning a home sauna can completely elevate your mental and physical well-being.
Fun Case Study:
In Finland, there are more saunas than there are cars! They consider their sauna a necessity to life. Saunas have been a vital part of their culture for thousands of years. There is even a famous Finnish saying that goes “Build the sauna, then the house”.
But more importantly, Finland has been the happiest country in the world for the last 6 years!
With Saunas being such a huge part of their culture one needs to ask: what role do saunas play in overall health and happiness?
Also because of Finland's relationship with saunas, scientist have had a unique opportunity to do the largest scientific tests in the world on the benefits of saunas.
Check out this interview with Dr. Jair Laukkanen, one of Finlands leading sauna researchers.
1. Socialization
Socialization is absolutely crucial for human beings and in our modern day, it's becoming harder and harder to connect with your family and friends. There are countless distractions and excuses that prevent us from spending quality time together.
A home sauna offers a unique space to spend time with the people you love. Saunas provide a relaxing and intimate environment free from distractions where you can foster connections, share stories, and build relationships.
Saunas also help boost camaraderie, as it’s an ideal place to congregate and unwind from a long day while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of the heat.
2.Regular Sauna Use Reduces Cortisol (Stress) Levels Long Term
Almost every aspect of modern-day life is stressful, no doubt about it. Raising a family, managing relationships, working, and even just driving across town can be taxing. Our current world moves so fast; There’s always so much to do with so little time. That’s why the ability to manage stress is even more important now than ever.
When you’re stressed, the hormone cortisol is released into your bloodstream. Having balanced cortisol levels is essential for your health, and producing too much or too little cortisol can cause health problems. Without getting too much into the weeds, cortisol affects every major system in the body.
So how can regular sauna use help regulate cortisol levels?
There have been Finnish studies that measured cortisol levels in healthy men and women during sauna sessions. The study concluded that, cortisol levels reached the highest 15 minutes after a 30-minute sauna session at 194°F.
Following this, as the body cools down post-sauna, there is a 25% reduction in cortisol levels below average. In summary, sauna use will raise cortisol levels in the moment, but in the long term, your body will gain the ability to regulate stress much better than before. The ability to regulate stress results in a sense of tranquility and peace. As cortisol levels drop, the production of serotonin is stimulated. Serotonin is our “happy hormone” that makes us feel good. Think of the saying, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
3. Brain Health
Dr. Jari Laukkanen conducted an incredible 25-year study with over 2,300 participants at the University of Eastern Finland. This study revealed regular sauna use (4-7 times per week) at 176°F for 19 minutes significantly lowered the risk for both Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
People who use the sauna 2-3 times per week have a 20% lower risk of dementia & Alzheimer's but people who use the sauna 4-7 times per week have a 60%-66% lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s compared to people who use the sauna one time per week!
4. Significantly Increases Heart Health
A study shows regular sauna usage has been shown to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality and fatal cardiac incidents along with reduced risk of stroke and hypertension.
People who use the sauna 2-3 times per week are 22% less likely to die from sudden cardiac death compared to people who only use the sauna once per week. People who use the sauna 4-7 times per week are 63% less likely to die from sudden cardiac death compared to people who only use the sauna once per week.
The more frequent the sauna use the more robust the health benefits are.
5. Detoxification
Sweating is one of the body's natural detoxification processes. It is actually the most effective way for the body to release toxins.
In a sauna, the body's sweat production increases significantly which helps flush out toxins, heavy metals, BPA, and other impurities that may have accumulated in the body.
In modern-day America, we are exposed to these toxins daily. Research has shown that our sweat can contain arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury!
6. Enhanced Skin Health
The steam in a sauna opens up pores, allowing the sweat to pass through easily resulting in a deep cleanse. The deep sweating from a sauna can help remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.
The heat also increases circulation which can contribute to a healthy, radiant complexion as well. Regular sauna use can lead to overall skin health giving your skin a healthy tone and texture.
7. Increase and Maintain Muscle Size (Hypertrophy)
Sauna usage has demonstrated the potential to sustain muscle size. In studies involving animals, hyperthermia induced by sauna sessions led to increased expression of heat shock proteins and promoted muscle regrowth in damaged muscle tissue.
Heightened levels of heat shock proteins have been shown to offer protection against muscle breakdown.
This is great if you're injured and can't work out to the intensity you're used to!
8. Saunas Can Boost Recovery and Provide Pain Relief
The heat a sauna produces provides a soothing environment for sore or overworked muscles. This heat can relax your muscles and alleviate pain or discomfort as well. The heat from a sauna increases blood flow which can aid in reducing inflammation and promote healing.
One study found patients with lower back pain significantly reduced their pain after dry sauna therapy.
Sauna sessions can also contribute to accelerated recovery, the reduction of lactic acid build-up, and a remarkable surge in growth hormones (HGH), up to 200-300% following a single session. They also provide relief from general muscle and joint discomfort. Consistent sauna use aids strength training by enhancing growth hormone levels and hastening recovery times.
The application of heat plays a pivotal role in invigorating capillaries in both skin and muscle tissues, facilitating swifter blood circulation — bolstering both aerobic and anaerobic capacities. This heightened blood flow additionally leads to a 4-5% augmentation in muscle fiber count and an increase in muscle bundle size.
9. Investing in a home sauna is a cost-effective (and low-maintenance) way to prioritize your health and overall well-being.
Home Saunas not only have amazing health benefits but also offer a delightful experience and now, you don't have to rely on gym or spa visits to enjoy these advantages!
With a variety of sauna sizes available, they come with straightforward upkeep and unexpectedly budget-friendly price ranges, along with our flexible financing choices.
It's a small investment that grants you 24/7 access to enhancing your well-being and reducing stress.
It also can add value to your house allowing you to make money off your sauna investment if you ever decide to sell!
10. Improved Sleep Quality
When indulging in a sauna session, the warmth, the peace, and the solitude can create a profoundly relaxing experience.
Studies have shown that a sauna session before bed can have an extraordinary influence on your sleep patterns. Elevating your body temperature in the sauna shortly before bedtime prompts your heated body to naturally regulate its temperature afterward.
It's this gradual cooling down and your body's return to its usual temperature post-sauna that will gently guide you into slumber, ensuring a peaceful and uninterrupted night's rest.
11. Mental Clarity and Mood Enhancement
Research has shown that sauna use can have a significant impact on mood and can also relieve people from symptoms of both depression and anxiety!
In one study, individuals with major depressive disorder received a single session of whole-body heating and were observed for six weeks post-treatment. After this period, subjects exhibited a notable, albeit slight, improvement in scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.
Another study showed that using an infrared sauna five times a week for over four weeks effectively relieved appetite loss linked to depression. It also mitigated other physical symptoms, and notably enhanced feelings of relaxation.
Conclusion
Investing in a home sauna isn't just about luxury; it's a commitment to your well-being.
From reducing stress levels to improving sleep quality and enhancing mental clarity, the benefits are truly remarkable.
Whether it's fostering deeper connections with loved ones, boosting heart health, or aiding in muscle recovery, the sauna becomes a sanctuary for both body and mind.
With the added perk of detoxification and radiant skin, it's a holistic approach to a healthier, happier you.
So why wait? Step into your personal oasis and let the warmth and serenity of your sauna elevate your life, one soothing session at a time.
