What Are the Benefits of a Hot Sauna?

According to many historians, the sauna --- a small room or house where steam baths are taken --- dates back to Finland over 2,000 years ago. Many people claim that the hot steam baths have numerous health benefits that are not just limited to relaxation. Some scientists agree that sauna sessions have healing, cleansing and preventative properties.

Relaxation

• The sauna's high temperature causes the human body to release endorphins, which is a natural, pain-relieving chemical. This can help to soothe and relax tired, aching muscles or arthritis. When the body is relaxed, the mind will most likely follow suit. Many sauna enthusiasts find the experience to be stress-free and calming.

Improved Health

• As your body warms up, blood vessel dilation brings blood to the surface of the skin. The blood vessels then expand to accommodate increased blood flow, circulation improves, and your blood pressure is lowered. Although this is temporary, research has shown that regular use of a sauna may help to keep blood pressure at a lower level. The steam vapor action from the sauna even helps to relieve congestion.

Removal of Toxins and Impurities

• The sweating that occurs while in a sauna opens skin pores and flushes out unnecessary toxins and impurities. Nickel, zinc, copper, lead and mercury are common toxins that we pick up from the environment. These, as well as toxins that may be in our diet, can be flushed from our system. The kidney even gets a rest from flushing out your body's waste.

Healthy Skin

• Sweating during the sauna session opens up the skin's pores, cleanses, removes dead skin cells and rinses bacteria from the skin's epidermal layer and sweat ducts. The sauna's heat helps to relax facial tension and improve the elasticity of the skin.

Burned Calories

• According to U.S. Army research, each session in the sauna can result in about 300 calories burned. This is made possible because of sweating and increased heart rate. Although this may sound like a great alternative to working out, sauna use should not be used as the primary way to burn calories. Since most of the weight lost is water weight, the loss is only temporary.