Finnish sauna is used worldwide not only for its health benefits, but for relaxation and leisure. It is dry sauna with a temperature about 90C˚ and low humidity about 10 – 15 (%). Much has been made of the health benefits of sauna bathing and with a good reason. Physically, nothing is more reinvigorating than a deep, healthy sweat every day: tension fades and muscles unwind. Mentally, we emerge relaxed, revived and ready for whatever the day may bring.
Heat bathing in sauna helps increase the blood flow contributing to profound sweating. Deep sweating however has multiple proven benefits like body detoxification and stress reduction. The sweating process itself requires notable amount of energy so one sauna bathing can burn about 300 calories (which is equivalent of 5km jogging).
High temperature facilitates the secretion endorphins (body’s all-natural „feel good“ chemical), which can have a mild, enjoyable „tranquilizing effect“ and the ability to minimize the pain of arthritis and muscle soreness from an intense physical workout. Research has shown that a deeper, more relaxed sleep can result from evening sauna use and. Sauna also takes to a warm, quiet space without any distractions coming from the outside contributing general relaxation.
In the high temperatures of sauna, skin heats up and core body temperature rises. In response to these increase heat levels, the blood vessels near the skin dilate causing the strengthening of cardiovascular system. It also helps decrease high blood pressure and improves the elasticity of blood vessels, trough their dilation and constriction in short time span, which is good exercise for smooth muscle fibers in the walls of the blood vessels. As the body is exposed to the heat of a sauna and steam (in the case of traditional saunas), it produces white blood cells more rapidly, which in turn helps to fight illnesses and helps to kill viruses raising the efficiency of our immune system.
It is not advised to use sauna if you suffer from cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, central nervous system diseases or skin diseases. Please consult your doctor before entering sauna if you are not sure if your medical condition can be worsened by the use of the sauna.