The Science Behind Sauna Therapy and Its Health Benefits

What do Finland, ancient history, and your health have in common? The answer has to do with sauna therapy. Believe it or not, sauna therapy is not just the latest trend in the health and wellness world. In fact, sauna use dates back as far as 7000 BC when it became a daily activity in Finnish culture. Since then, saunas have been used in many cultures all over the world, and for good reason. Sauna use can have life-changing health and wellness benefits. Let’s explore the science behind sauna therapy and its amazing health benefits.

It’s Getting Hot in Here

Even if you know nothing else about saunas, you probably know they use heat to function, and often people excessively sweat in the process. As a matter of fact, traditional saunas do indeed get very hot, up to 220 degrees. These saunas heat the air within the sauna, which in turn heats the users for sauna therapy benefits. 

On the other hand, infrared saunas such as Clearlight® Saunas, use the infrared light spectrum to directly heat its users. A far superior system, infrared light waves are invisible and capable of penetrating deeper into the body for greater benefits. Infrared saunas typically heat up to a much more pleasant 115 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit during a sauna therapy session, resulting in less sweating and greater enjoyment.

Pump, Pump, Pump it Up

As your body’s thermal energy increases during an infrared sauna therapy session, your body begins to respond. One key way it does so is by increasing circulation in order to stay cool. During a sauna session, you may notice your heart rate increase slightly as blood is moving throughout your body at a greater rate. This increased circulation allows for many wonderful health benefits including reduced blood pressure, reduced inflammation, muscle and joint pain relief, dilating peripheral blood vessels, increased skin health, and more. 

Feel the (Energy) Burn 

Regular sauna therapy has also been shown as an effective tool to aid in weight loss for a number of reasons. First, as your body works to stay cool during a sauna session, it is burning calories. When coupled with regular exercise and healthy eating, this increase in caloric burn can be a great tool to aid in weight loss.

Additionally, one reason many people are not able to lose weight at the rate they want is because of stress on their mental and physical health. Relaxation and decreased cortisol levels are known benefits of regular sauna use. 

Finally, increased circulation and sweating help aid the body in decreasing joint pain, stiff muscles, and fatigue. Removing these inhibitors allows you to have more energy and increase your ability to be active, which can lead to greater weight loss. 

Sauna therapy is an effective and powerful way to improve your health and wellness, and there’s a science to prove it. To learn more about sauna therapy and why so many in the Hudson Valley are investing in Clearlight Saunas, contact our team at Orange County Pools & Spas.