A sauna is a room that is warmed by hot air or steam. Many people use a sauna as a place to relax after a workout while others believe that saunas provide health benefits such as weight loss, clearer skin and stress reduction. Speak to your doctor to determine whether sauna heat therapy is right for you. Those with certain chronic health conditions should avoid using a sauna.
Types of Saunas
Most saunas are made out of wood and feature an area where you can sit or lie down. It provides heat or steam in three ways: infrared lamp, far infrared lamp and conventional. Conventional saunas use electricity or wood to provide heat. Some conventional saunas might also feature a pile of hot rocks that require water to be added in order to produce steam. Infrared lamp saunas use heat lamps while far infrared saunas use ceramics or metal to provide heat. Infrared lamp saunas might also feature color therapy.
Sauna Benefits
Sauna health benefits include stress reduction and improved blood circulation. Sitting in a sauna will make you sweat and elevate your heart rate. Some claim that saunas help relieve cold symptoms such as chest congestion and revitalize muscles after a strenuous workout. Others claim that saunas help boost their mood and overall sense of well-being. According to Harvard Health Publications, sitting in a sauna is generally good for your body and recommends limiting your time to no more than 15 to 20 minutes.
Unfounded Claims
Some people claim that sitting in a sauna will help rid the body of harmful environmental toxins and pollutants, produce clearer skin as well as get rid of illness-producing germs. Others claim that sauna will help you lose weight. According to a September 2008 article in Glamour magazine, none of these statements are true. Although it is true that sitting in a sauna does produce the same heart-racing results of moderately intensive exercise, it is not the same as working out. Any weight that is lost while in a sauna is water weight.
Other Considerations
If you choose to use sauna heat therapy, speak to your doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions such as heart or respiratory problems. Don't eat anything or drink alcohol prior to entering a sauna and drink two to four glasses of cool water after each visit. If you feel lightheaded, dizzy or ill while sitting in a sauna, leave immediately. Let your body cool down gradually before you leave the gym or other facility.
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