The Health Benefits of Indoor Dry Saunas
People have been using saunas as a means of relaxing, relieving stress, and enjoying good health for centuries, but it’s only recently that researchers have uncovered the exact mechanisms dry saunas use to promote good health. Homeowners who are on the fence about whether installing indoor dry saunas will be worth the investment can read on to find out about just a few of the benefits they’ll gain from regularly spending time in the sauna.
Keep the Heart Healthy
According to one 2015 study, spending time in dry saunas can keep the heart healthy. The practice is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and sudden cardiac deaths.
Reduce Symptoms of Rheumatic Diseases
Rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and ankylosing spondylitis can be incredibly painful. Regular sessions in a dry sauna can help to alleviate pain and other troubling symptoms associated with rheumatic diseases. Those sessions may also help with managing the symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue syndromes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Find Relief from Some Skin Conditions
People who struggle with psoriasis often experience itchy, scaly, red rashes that can cause stinging and burning sensations as well as persistent itchiness. A report by Harvard Health indicates that patients with psoriasis may find relief from their symptoms when they use dry saunas. Though dry sauna bathing is not a cure for psoriasis, it can play a vital role in managing the autoimmune disease.
Reduce Asthma and Allergy Symptoms
People who struggle with asthma and allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies often report experiencing fewer breathing problems when they use dry saunas regularly. More specifically, patients with asthma experience less wheezing, and those with allergic rhinitis may have fewer problems with congestion.
Improved Athletic Performance
There’s a reason that most upscale gyms feature sauna rooms, and it’s not just that they help gym-goers relax after taxing sessions. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts may also get a performance boost from spending time in dry saunas. Researchers have yet to uncover the physiological basis for this connection, but two different studies show a correlation between time spent in the sauna and athletic performance.
Reduced Stress
Everyone has to face stressful situations from time to time, but feeling stressed out all the time can contribute to the development of chronic mental and physical health problems. Devoting a short period of each day to relaxing in a dry sauna can help to keep stress at bay and promote general psychological well-being.
Lower Risk of Dementia
Sauna bathing relieves stress and anxiety in the short term and may also have long-term positive effects on memory and cognition. More specifically, according to research performed in 2017, frequently hitting the sauna can act as a protective factor that reduces dementia risk in men. Though the study focused only on male participants, there is no reason to believe women can’t harness the same protective benefits.
There’s No Better Place Than Home to Relax in the Sauna
While using the sauna after a workout at a gym can be a pleasant experience, few people work out often enough to take full advantage of all the benefits described above. By far the best way to start enjoying the full range of benefits associated with dry saunas is to have one installed at home.