Should You Use a Sauna? 

A sauna is a small room or enclosure, typically lined with wood, that’s heated to induce sweating and promote relaxation. Saunas are heated using various methods, such as stoves, electric heaters, and infrared lights. 

While you can buy sauna rooms for private use at home, most people pay to use them at public facilities. If you’ve never used one before, you may be wondering whether you should try it. There can be value in booking a sauna treatment for these reasons: 

Improved Circulation

Book a sauna treatment at a trusted provider like The Dawg Pound Palm Bay if you’ve been struggling with poor circulation. Saunas can improve circulation by increasing your heart rate and widening your blood vessels. The heat from the sauna causes your blood vessels to dilate, increasing the blood flow to your skin and muscles. As a result, more oxygen and nutrients are delivered throughout the body. 

Muscle Relaxation and Recovery 

Exercise, illness, and extreme exertion can all take their toll on our muscles. They can feel sore and fatigued, and rest alone isn’t always enough to relieve your discomfort. However, you may have luck relaxing your muscles, reducing soreness, and improving your recovery journey by booking a sauna session.  

The heat from the sauna can increase circulation, deliver oxygen and nutrients to your sore muscles, and clear lactic acid buildup. This can all help alleviate muscle-related discomfort. Studies have also found that having an infrared sauna after resistance exercise training can improve the recovery of neuromuscular performance and muscle soreness. 

Relief from Joint Pain

If you’re living with a joint-related condition like arthritis, the pain and discomfort associated with it can be unbearable. However, a sauna might provide the temporary relief you’re looking for. 

The increase in circulation means that oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the joints that need them the most. The heat also helps to remove inflammatory byproducts and waste. After a sauna, you may experience reduced stiffness, improved mobility, and relaxed muscles. The benefits are becoming more and more evident in people with rheumatic diseases. Infrared saunas are being described as a promising non-pharmacologic intervention.  

Improved Sleep 

We know how important sleep is, but many of us still struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. The good news is that you may see improvements if you start having sauna sessions. Saunas may aid in sleep by inducing heat exposure followed by cooling. This process tells the body to produce the sleep hormone, melatonin. In a Global Sauna Survey, 83.5% of all respondents reported sleep benefits after having a sauna. For best results, aim to have a sauna one or two hours before bed. 

Mindfulness

Sitting in a sauna for 15 to 20 minutes isn’t just about helping your muscles and joints. This simple practice is also an excellent form of mindfulness. Time in a sauna without any distractions encourages self-reflection and mental stillness. Mindfulness can also enhance our physical health. 

If you have access to a sauna in your area, take full advantage of it. You may be surprised by the physical and mental benefits such a simple activity can offer.

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