People have been using saunas for thousands of years — and for good reason. In fact, they have been using them for many good reasons. 

However, while those ancient people who first thought to create a space to enjoy the cleansing powers of water and heat were most definitely onto something, they couldn’t have known just how beneficial their saunas actually were to their bodies, minds, and the quality of their lives. 

There are many advantages to regular sauna use, some of which may surprise you. If you’d like to know more about them, just take a look at this guide to some of the many health benefits your personal sauna can provide.

Relaxation and Stress Relief

One of the most obvious advantages of using a sauna is just how relaxed it can make you feel. But there’s a bit more to that relaxation that makes it even more advantageous. 

The relaxing effect of the sauna is a result of the heat helping balance the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your blood. 

Chronic stress is detrimental not only to your mental health but your physical health as well. It has been associated with high blood pressure, migraines and tension headaches, sleep issues, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. 

By helping relieve stress, your regular sauna use can potentially help reduce the risk of all of these medical issues.

Relieving Discomfort and Improved Recovery

Chronic pain can reduce your quality of life drastically, which means it can ultimately affect your mental health just as significantly as it affects your physical health. Medications can help, but they can also be addictive and potentially deadly. 

While sauna use may not be a cure-all, it does have the potential to help you address your aches and discomfort so you can improve your quality of life. 

The heat of the sauna improves blood flow and triggers the release of endorphins, both of which can help relieve pain and relax tense and achy muscles. And if the aches and pains you’re experiencing are the result of an injury or a tough workout, you’ll be pleased to know that the increased circulation and muscle relaxation can help improve your recovery speed as well.

Flushes Toxins and Cleanses Skin

You likely encounter various toxins from all kinds of sources in your everyday life, and those toxins have the potential to cause a variety of health issues. One of the best ways to flush them from your body is through sweating, and one of the best (and most enjoyable) ways to get an intense sweat on is by relaxing in your sauna. 

The deep sweat you’ll enjoy from your sauna can also help cleanse your pores, remove dead skin cells, and improve your skin health. The result is a softer, healthier, more vibrant complexion.

Strengthens Immune System

The sauna’s ability to boost your immune system so you can better fight off illness is easily one of its most amazing advantages. The heat and steam of the sauna cause your body to produce more white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off viruses and bacteria. 

Pair regular sauna use with an immune system-supporting diet, and cold and flu season will be far easier to face each year.

Helps You Sleep Better

Your body needs sleep and plenty of it. Not just any sleep will do, though. You need deep, meaningful rest on a regular basis in order to stay healthy both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, many Americans do not get the amount and quality of rest they need. There is a potential solution to this issue, however — your sauna. 

The improved relaxation, stress relief, and pain relief offered by your sauna can make it far easier to get to sleep and stay asleep every night. In fact, you are likely to find that once you’ve cooled down from using your sauna, you will suddenly start to feel a lot sleepier than you were before you went in.

Explore Refreshing Saunas From Oregon Hot Tubs

If you’re interested in enjoying the many benefits of regular sauna use, reach out to Oregon Hot Tubs today — we’d love to help you learn more.