Sauna is a small hot room designed for a therapeutic purpose. It has very well controlled humidity which people find relaxing. Does sitting in a sauna make you lose weight? A lot of myths have been forward to support this but what is known as a fact is that you lose weight when you sweat off. Losing weight is not permanent, you may start gaining back once you lose track of exercising or proper nutrition. Saunas, therefore, are mostly for stretching and relaxing. You sweat a lot when in a sauna which means you get rid of the excess water weight.
Saunas are most common in Scandinavian companies mostly in Finland. In fact, the word Sauna is Finnish in reference to both the structure and the steam bath. The steam bath is made from pouring water onto the hot rocks. By all means, sitting in a sauna has more benefits than sitting to play a video game.
Types of Sauna and their Benefits
Infrared Sauna
This is a type of sauna that uses infrared light to generate heat and in return, it is able to penetrate the human tissue. This infrared spa in Denver is a great example. They are designed in such a manner that the infrared waves will fall on the light spectrum producing heat. Unlike the traditional sauna which heats the air around the room, this sauna heats the body.
Therefore we can as well call it the far infrared sauna. Many researchers have compared the use of infrared sauna vs steam sauna in treating some chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure. It has been discovered also to cure congestive heart failure and arthritis.
It was discovered both serve similar purposes with very little differences, one notable difference being their way of design (steam vs infrared light). However, all these medical studies and results are subject to further research and tests.
Steam Sauna
A lot of discussions have been going on about infrared sauna vs steam sauna benefits. Steam saunas create a warm environment with the level of humidity well above 100%. The temperature from the steam increases your circulation to the surface leading to sweating. This has some benefits in terms of cardiovascular health.
The high temperature in the steam room causes the skin pores to open up, which in turn increases the body metabolism rate. This causes the sweating in a steam sauna. The difference with the infrared sauna being that the light heats the body while in a steam sauna the steam produces high temperatures heating the body.
Benefits of Sauna
- Detoxification: through sweating, which is a natural process toxin are eliminated from your body. Research has shown that through infrared sauna one is able to get rid of toxins seven times more as compared to the traditional saunas.
- Relaxation: traditional saunas operate at a very high temperature almost 200 degrees F. This heat is too much and uncomfortable for most people. With the far infrared sauna, the temperatures are relaxing which helps balance your body’s stress hormones and your level of cortisol.
- Pain relief: As mentioned earlier the light which produces the required heat penetrates the body and this includes the muscles. Therefore in case, you experience joint pains the sauna temperature relieves the inflammation effect. The muscles will feel relaxed after the session.
- Weight loss: the heat produced causes an increase in heart rate, equivalent to a person who is exercising. Next, the body will work hard in order to lower the overall body temperature which in turn means that your body will burn more calories thus the infrared sauna benefits weight loss.
- Other benefits of the sauna are that the steam helps in clearing your throat, lungs congestion, sinus congestion, dry throat relief and clearing nasal passages.
Conclusion
As much as sweating is good for the body it should be noted that when in excess it can lead to loss of electrolytes. They are nutrients in the body that play major roles including regulating the heartbeat. They include sodium, magnesium, potassium, phosphate, calcium and chloride.
Secondly, there is the risk of extreme heat which can cause heatstroke and cardiovascular attacks. To be able to get the maximum benefits from the sauna without any risk, drink two to four glasses of water after your session in the sauna. Limit your session for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
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