Words by Samantha Harman
Did you know the sauna was invented 2000 years ago? The ingenious Finns used them as a form of bath, and considered saunas a sterile environment with many Finnish women using them to give birth. Fast forward to today and the heated, traditionally wooden spaces are found at every corner of the globe. But what makes them so appealing?
According to the Harvard Medical Journal, regular saunas can benefit your heart health and can even plump up wrinkles giving a younger appearance. If these facts alone aren’t enough to persuade you, read on to find out more…
Unsurprisingly, saunas can help relieve stress. They are warm, quiet spaces to escape the outside world away from its many distractions. The heat relaxes the body’s muscles, improves circulation and stimulates the release of endorphins, the natural ‘feel good’ chemical. Muscle aches and joint pain relax due to the aforementioned endorphin release which has a mild tranquilising effect and the ability to minimise the pain of arthritis and other muscle soreness. The high temperature also causes blood vessels to dilate, which in turn increases blood flow and speeds up the body’s natural healing process for cuts and bruises. Flushing toxins is another medically recognised health benefit. This occurs when heat from the blood begins to move towards the skin’s surface, causing the body’s nervous system to send signals to the millions of sweat glands. Deep sweating that occurs in a sauna can help reduce levels of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury and chemicals – which are all commonly absorbed toxins from our daily environment. (Yikes.) Heat bathing is one of the oldest beauty and health strategies for cleansing the skin. When the body goes into deep sweating mode, our skin is cleansed, and dead cells are replaced which keeps it in tip top condition. Bathing your skin in sweat on a regular basis can also deter collagen breakdown that results in wrinkles and sagging. Research has also shown that regular sauna use can also induce a deeper, more relaxed sleep. It is thought that the endorphins released in conjunction with the rise and fall of body temperature are key in facilitating a good night’s rest. Excuse us while we grab a towel and run off to the nearest sauna facility…
