Benefits From a Sauna

by Stacy Taylor

Overview

Benefits From a Sauna

For the Finnish, Latvian, Estonian and Russian cultures, saunas are an important part of life and have been for more than 2000 years. Besides using saunas for spiritual and ritual ceremonies, these cultures also believe that the sauna offers its users health and general well-being benefits, in addition to serving as a place for social or community gatherings.
History

One of the first documented descriptions dates the sauna back to 1112, but researchers agree that the Finns, in particular, used some type of sweat bath far earlier.

Types

There are two main sauna types--wet and dry--but there are many heat storage methods used in modern times. Smoke, steam, continuous fire (in lieu of stored heat), infrared and electricity are all used.

Infrared Sauna Illustration
Fun Fact

The Finnish sauna and the wet steam bath are the most-popular and well-known forms of sweat baths.
Prevention/Solution

Therapeutic saunas alternate hot and cold and provide chronically ill people who cannot exercise a solution to burn away stress.
Benefits

Taking regular saunas draw toxins out of the body and promotes clear, healthy skin.

Releasing Toxins from the Body
Effects

Saunas increase the metabolic rate and can burn up to 300 calories per session, although most of it is water. It's important to keep monitoring both the length of your session and how you feel while you are in the sauna.
Additional Benefits

The most popular benefit from a sauna is the deep relaxation that occurs in the body and the mind.

Healthy Mind and Body