Don’t Be Afraid to Sweat – It’s Great for Your Health!
Maybe you thought “sweating it out” at the gym was the only way to reap the benefits of a good old-fashioned sweat. Think again.
Take advice from the centuries old wisdom of the Finnish and consider heat bathing in a sauna. You won’t believe the many health benefits you derive from the healing power of deep heat.
Don’t be afraid to sweat – it’s great for your health, and here are six reasons why:
#1: Fight the Common Cold (and Other Nasty Viruses)
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. This helps fight illnesses and kill viruses.
As an added bonus, saunas can relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus congestion from colds or allergies.
#2: Burn 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.”
While it doesn’t replace the need for regular exercise, sweating it out in a sauna does help your body convert more calories into energy.
#3: Eliminate Toxins
Did you know industrial toxins can actually be absorbed into your body?
According to cardiologist, Joel Kahn M.D., “We live in a world where industrial toxins have become so prevalent that none of us are free of exposure.”
Once these elements make their way into our systems, the best way to eliminate them is through sweat. Why? Because sweat can concentrate these toxins becoming the best way of eliminating them.
#4: Give Your Skin a Deep-Cleansing Treatment
When the body begins to produce sweat via deep sweating, it cleanses your skin while replacing dead skin cells. 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.
#5: Keep Your Heart Pumping
In the high temperatures of a traditional or infrared sauna, skin heats up and core body temperature rises. In response to these increased 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.
Regular sauna usage has been proven to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality and fatal cardiac incidents along with reduced risk of stroke and hypertension.
#6: Reduce Stress
Sauna bathers frequently cite stress reduction as the number one benefit of sauna use. 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.”
To Conclude
Ready to learn more? Download the Top 11 Health Benefits of Sauna today to learn more about how heat therapy can improve your life. Then, let the Finnleo sauna experts at Arvidson Pools & Spas help you determine the best Finnleo sauna for you.
