Sauna Health and Wellness

Contact SoCal Sauna at 951-741-1048 and please visit our website at www.socalsauna.com for a NO COST consultation to make sure you get the right sauna!  

Health and Wellness

Much has been made of the health benefits of sauna bathing. With good reason. Physically, nothing is more reinvigorating than a deep, healthy sweat every day. Tension fades. Muscles unwind. Mentally, we emerge relaxed, revived and ready for whatever the day may bring.

A few minutes a day is all it takes to look and feel better. The body’s response to gentle, persistent heat is well-documented and proven day in and out by people all over the world. Which is why more and more doctors are recommending its purifying benefits.

 

1. Saunas relieve stress.

Not surprisingly, sauna bathers most frequently cite stress reduction as the number one benefit of sauna use. Medical studies often determine that stress in our daily lives can negatively affect our health. In fact, the vast majority of disease (i.e. heart disease) is at least partially stress-related. Heat bathing in a sauna provides stress relief in a number of ways. It’s a warm, quiet space without any distractions coming from the outside. As we like to say, "Step into a Finnleo sauna, and close the door on the rest of the world." The heat from the sauna relaxes the body's muscles, improves circulation and stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s all-natural "feel good" chemical, and their release provides a truly wonderful "after sauna glow.”.

2. Saunas relax muscles and soothe aches/pains in both muscles and joints.

Under the high heat provided by a sauna, the body releases endorphins (see health and wellness benefit #1). Endorphins can have a mild, enjoyable "tranquilizing effect" and the ability to minimize the pain of arthritis and muscle soreness other from, say, an intense physical workout. Body temperature also rises from the heat of the sauna.. This causes blood vessels to dilate, therefore increasing blood circulation. This increased blood flow in turn speeds up the body’s natural healing process via soothing aches and pains and/or speeding up of the healing of minor bruises or cuts. After participating in physical sports, use the heat and/or steam of a sauna to promote muscle relaxation by helping to reduce muscle tension and eliminate lactic acid and/or other toxins that may be present.

3. Saunas flush toxins.

Many - if not most - of us do not actively sweat on a daily basis. Deep sweating, however, has multiple proven health benefits. Benefits derived from a deep sweat can be achieved via regular sauna bathing.Due to the heat of a sauna, the core body temperature begins to rise. The blood vessels then dilate, causing increased blood flow (see above). As heat from the blood begins to move toward the skin's surface, the body’s nervous system then sends signals to the millions of sweat glands that cover the human body. As the sweat glands become stimulated, they produce sweat. Sweat production is primarily designed to cool the body, and is composed of 99% water. However, deep sweating in a sauna can help reduce levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury and chemical - which are all toxins commonly absorbed just from interacting with our daily environments.There is no shortage of books from Doctors and practitioners, who describe the benefits of detoxifying our bodies regularly. As many doctors will agree, a big reason for the popularity of saunas is that they are one of the best ways to detoxify our bodies.

4. Sauna cleanses the skin.

Heat bathing is one of the oldest beauty and/or health strategies in terms of cleansing one's skin. When the body begins to produce sweat via deep sweating, the skin is then cleansed and dead skin cells are replaced - keeping your skin in good working condition.Sweating rinses bacteria out of the epidermal layer and sweat ducts. Cleansing of the pores has been shown to improve the capillary circulation, while giving the skin a softer-looking quality. Dr. Ben H Douglas, a professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and author of "Ageless: Living Younger Longer,” attests that "Sweating is a way of energizing the skin almost the way exercising a muscle energizes it.” He goes on to explain that, when you sweat, the rush of fluid to the skin "bathes skin cells with a liquid rich in nutrients,” which "fills in the spaces around the cells” and even "plumps up" tiny wrinkles. He also mentions that the nutrients and minerals in sweat "are essential to maintaining the collagen structure of the skin.” Bathing skin in sweat on a fairly regular basis, therefore deters collagen breakdown that can ultimately result in wrinkles and sags. By continually flushing body waste through individual cells, one eventually brings back vitality, tone and a healthy glow to the skin. Sauna usage is certainly not a cure for acne, but it can very often help - due to the deep cleansing it provides from a deep sweat (that is, cleaning the pores from the very inside out - instead of just cleaning the top of the skin).

5. Saunas can induce a deeper sleep.

Research has shown that a deeper, more relaxed sleep can result from sauna use. In addition to the release of endorphins (see above), body temperatures, which become elevated in the late evening,fall at bedtime. This slow, relaxing decline in endorphins is key in facilitating sleep. Numerous sauna bathers worldwide recall the deep sleep experiences that they feel after bathing the the calming heat of a sauna.

6. Saunas bring about recreational and social benefits.

While the social benefit is rarely talked about, it's really actually quite important. The sauna can be a private, personal area of relaxation and solitude. However, it can just as easily be a relaxing environment for socializing with family, friends and soon-to-be friends. The sauna room environment is conducive to open, intimate and quiet conversation.

7. Saunas improve cardiovascular performance.

In the high temperatures of a traditional or infrared sauna, skin heats up and core body temperature rises.In response to these increase heat levels, the blood vessels near the skin dilate and "cardiac output" increases. Medical research has told us that the heart rate can rise from 60-70 bpm (beats per minute) to 110-120 bpm in the sauna (140-150 with more intensive bathing), and can often sink to below normal after the cooling off stage. With regular sauna useage, we not only train our heart muscles and improve the heart rate/cardiac output, but we also help the body's regulatory system.Even more cardiovascular conditioning takes place when the sauna bathing is taken in multiple "innings”, with sessions in the sauna separated by a cool shower or a quick dip into a cool pool or lake. Each time you rapidly change temperature (from hot to cool or vice-versa), your heart rate increases by as much as 60%, which is very comparable to the increase experienced during moderate exercise..

8. Saunas burn calories.

Outlandish claims are often made by some sauna sellers (primarily those who sell infrared saunas) to promote saunas as an end-all weight loss tool. While some individuals may experience high amounts of calorie burn at first - particularly those individuals in poor shape to begin with - over the long term, saunas are simply treated as one of many tools in our arsenal when it comes to burn additional calories.The sweating process itself requires a notable amount of energy. That energy is derived from the conversion of fat and carbohydrates in a bodily process that burns up calories. According to U.S. Army medical research (Ward Dean, M.D.), "A moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off 500 grams in a sauna in a single session, consuming nearly 300 calories in the process.”The body consumes said calories due to the acceleration of heart activity (the cardiovascular section). As heart activity increases and as these processes demand more oxygen, the body begins to convert more calories into usable energy.

9. Saunas can help fight illness.

German sauna medical research shows that saunas were able to significantly reduce the incidences of colds and influenza amongst participants. 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.In addition, saunas can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from from colds or allergies - especially when used with steam (tip: add eucalyptus to the water for added benefit and overall enjoyment). The steam vapor action helps to clear up unwanted congestion and is a wonderful aspect of the Finnish sauna experience.

10. Saunas just feel good.

A sauna not only feels good, it’s good for your body. Whether it’s the physiological changes that occur during the warmth of a sauna, or if it’s simply the time spent in the calming and still retreat of the sauna, every seasoned sauna bather agrees - it feels wonderful! As we progress through our stressful everyday lives, the sauna provides a pampering retreat - where we can relax and restore body and soul. Sauna bathing truly makes you "Feel Better”, "Look Better” and "Sleep Better”!

The Benefits of Adding an In-Home Sauna!

Contact SoCal Sauna at 951-741-1048 and please visit our website at www.socalsauna.com for a NO COST consultation to make sure you get the right sauna!  

SoCal Sauna

By John Donegan
Unless you’re from Finland, where there are more saunas than cars, you may have never considered adding a sauna to your home. Although it’s a significant expenditure, once constructed, a sauna adds value to the home, requires very little upkeep and can provide a great deal of health benefits.
Whether you purchase a pre-cut sauna package or a pre-built, free-standing sauna, your sauna will take up a lot of space in your home. At-home saunas are generally anywhere from 3×4 feet to 8×10 feet, so in all likelihood, you will have to relocate some of your furniture to an attic, basement or storage unit. When choosing a location for your sauna, make sure there is a waterproof floor and access to a 220- to 240-volt electrical hookup for the heater. Also, you may want to place your at-home sauna near a shower for convenience.
Unlike swimming pools and hot tubs, saunas rarely require maintenance. Aside from periodically cleaning the floor, you can leave saunas alone entirely. All types of sauna heaters – electric, gas and wood – have few moving parts and rarely break down.

Benefits

• Help rid the body of toxins. Saunas are a great way to naturally expel impurities. While taking a sauna, the body sweats out harmful toxins, such as nicotine, lead and mercury.
• Soothe sore muscles. Saunas temporarily relax muscles and relieve arthritic pain.
• Reduce stress. Saunas cause your body to release endorphins, which help reduce stress and increase your energy level.
• Help to maintain healthy skin. Saunas open skin pores, relax facial tension and promote cellular growth by bringing nutrients to the epidermis.
• Improve circulation. Sauna heat brings blood closer to the skin and increases blood flow to the body’s extremities.
• Increase metabolic rate. With regular sauna use, you burn hundreds of calories per session and can increase your metabolic rate over time. However, this doesn’t mean saunas are a good dietary supplement. Nearly all weight lost in the sauna is water weight, which quickly comes back.
• Relieve sinus congestion. Saunas offer temporary relief from symptoms of the common cold, including sinus congestion and throat ailments.

 

Conventional saunas vs. infrared cabins

Regardless of the type of heat source, conventional sauna temperatures range from 150 degrees to 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Pouring ladles of water over the rocks produces steam, which raises the overall temperature but lowers humidity, making the heat tolerable. If you have a low tolerance to heat, you could consider an infrared alternative. Unlike conventional saunas, which use wood, gas or electric stoves, infrared cabins use radiation to heat the skin and can do so while keeping the air temperature as low as 70 degrees. Although technically not saunas per se, infrared cabins produce the same amount of sweat, though they usually do so quicker and at lower temperatures.

Precautions

• Be sure not to stay in saunas too long, as this can cause dehydration and heat stroke.
• Properly hydrate before using the sauna, especially if you live in a dry climate (say, Las Vegas).
• Don’t use your sauna under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you have heart disease or abnormal blood pressure, saunas can potentially be dangerous.
• Pregnant women should consult their physician before using saunas.
• Children under the age of 5 should not use saunas.

 

Hot Saunas Linked to Better Heart Health!

Contact SoCal Sauna at 951-741-1048 and please visit our website at www.socalsauna.com for a NO COST consultation to make sure you get the right sauna!  

 

Taking frequent hot saunas can be good for the heart, a study published online in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests.

The risk of dying from sudden cardiac arrest, heart disease and cardiovascular disease was up to 63% lower in middle-aged men who took as many as seven saunas a week compared with once-a-week bathers, the study found. Sauna bathing for 20 minutes or longer was also associated with a reduced risk of dying.

Sitting in a hot sauna increases heart rate and blood circulation, resulting in cardiovascular changes comparable to the training effects of low-to-moderate physical exercise, the study suggests. The saunas in this study were 174-degrees Fahrenheit, on average, with low humidity.

From 1984 to 1989, researchers in Finland recruited 2,315 overweight men, ages 42 to 60 years old, who regularly took sauna baths, a popular Finnish tradition. Blood pressure, cholesterol and C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, were assessed at the start of the study. Electrocardiograms measured heart rate and cardiac function. Other cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol use and physical activity, were recorded.

The men were divided into three groups based on their weekly sauna use and bathing time.

Over an average 19 years of follow-up, 190 men died from sudden cardiac arrest, 281 from heart disease, and 407 from cardiovascular disease. Of those who died suddenly, 5% took four to seven saunas a week compared with 10% who took only one sauna. The death rate from heart disease and cardiovascular disease was 9% and 12%, respectively, among the most frequent sauna bathers compared with 15% and 22% among once-a-week bathers. Frequent bathers also had fewer deaths from other causes.

Sauna bathing 20 minutes or more reduced the risk of dying by 52% compared with bathing fewer than 11 minutes, the analysis showed.

Caveat: The study didn't include women. The results may not apply to steam rooms, hot tubs and saunas that operate at lower temperatures than a typical Finnish sauna and don't permit pouring water on the rocks, researchers said.

Here's Why To Start Using Sauna!

Contact SoCal Sauna at 951-741-1048 and please visit our website at www.socalsauna.com for a NO COST consultation to make sure you get the right sauna!

The sauna can seem like an enigma to someone who’s never experienced it before. I mean, when you think about it, a hot box with half-naked (or fully naked) people dripping in sweat is a little strange. I was skeptical of its usefulness until I entered one for the first time a year ago—and I’ve been addicted ever since. Why? Because I experienced the benefits. From relieving pesky back pain to giving you flawless skin, saunas can do wonders for your health—here’s how.

Poof—Pain Is Gone

One of the best times to use the sauna is after a tough workout. Mario Sarno, fitness director at Rittenhouse Square Fitness Club, says that a sauna session can help relax and loosen muscles to prevent soreness, as well as alleviate deep muscle pain and achy joints. The heat causes your body temperature to rise, which then forces blood vessels to dilate. The increased blood circulation accelerates the body's natural healing process, which is why you won't feel so beaten up the next day. You can save time by completing your stretches while in the sauna, although Sarno says it doesn't matter if you stretch before or afterward. "There's no one set of rules, it's up to an individual person's preference," he says. Sauna sessions get your body ready for the next workout sooner and can help prevent injuries, so they're especially useful if you're attempting new exercises or augmenting your training program.

Sweat for Your Skin

There's a reason why the sauna is sometimes referred to as a sweat bath. Each session cleanses your skin through deep sweating by rinsing out bacteria and replacing dead skin cells, resulting in a healthy glow after use. Danuta Mieloch, owner of Rescue Rittenhouse Spa in Center City, says heat opens up pores and softens the skin.

"Heat speeds up circulation, and any time the skin's circulation is improved, color and texture are improved, as well," Mieloch says. She adds that sauna use can be an excellent way to clear up acne but advises going in sans makeup because products could clog pores as your skin tries to sweat. Using the sauna is especially great in the winter, since your skin doesn't have as much opportunity for increased circulation in the cold weather.

Body and Mind

The sauna's health benefits extend beyond muscle and skin care. According to this study, regular sauna sessions can help people suffering from hypertension and congestive heart failure, and can be useful in care after heart attacks. Of course, you'll want to consult your doctor before beginning regular sauna sessions if you have a health condition.

Don't forget about the sauna's mental benefits, too. The high temperatures cause your brain to release feel-good endorphins, and the atmosphere provides a place to de-stress and relax.

Advice for Sauna Use

Before you start soaking up the heat, you'll want to take several precautions. Sarno says to make sure that you drink plenty of water to replenish all the fluid lost, especially since you might already be a little dehydrated post-workout. Don't use a sauna as a weight-loss tool, since the water weight will be replaced as soon as you drink or eat something. While saunas do raise your metabolic rate for a short period of time because your body is working hard to cool down, diet and exercise are more important for healthy, long-term weight loss.

The first time you try out the sauna, aim for staying in for about five to ten minutes. When you begin building a tolerance for the heat, you can work yourself up to safely staying in there for half an hour. Of course, you should listen to your body. If you feel dizzy or faint after fifteen minutes, take a break. Everyone's different.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your water bottle, and plant yourself in that little dark room. I promise—it's totally worth it.

Written by: Julianne Mele