ADVANTAGES of SAUNAS and STEAM ROOMS

There are a great many claims made as to the various advantages and benefits of regularly using a sauna or steam room. The validity of these claims varies between the nature of the sauna, e.g. stove versus infrared heater, and the frequency of use. However it is generally accepted that these treatments offer a number of positive health advantages, so here are the main “health enhancing” reasons that may lead you to consider buying one.

• The process of taking a sauna or steam bath is naturally relaxing and this in itself helps wash away the stresses of everyday life.
• Toxins like alcohol, nicotine, sodium and various metals are expelled from the body during the detoxification process of taking a sauna or steam treatment. These chemicals leave the body as sweat as the heat stimulates the sweat glands to detoxify the skin.
• The circulation of blood and the body’s vital fluids are improved and this helps general health.
• Dead skin is expelled from the body and this in turn results in soft but firm skin tone that may give the skin a younger look and feel.
• Saunas that use infrared heaters relax the muscles of the body and this treatment (which loosens illuscics) is favoured by some masseurs as a muscle therapy. There are also claims that this treatment can reduce the development of aging wrinkles.
• Weight loss is nearly always associated with sauna and steam bath use. As the body becomes hotter, so the heart rate and metabolic functions of the body increase resulting in a rise in the body’s energy usage. This in turn causes calories and fat to be burned at a higher rate resulting in weight loss.

  Steam baths are particularly effective when it comes to weight loss and there are numerous analogies that relate a good steam room session to a 5 or 6 mile run. The advantage of the steam treatment is that it is stress free on the joints and muscles and can still be enjoyed whatever the age or injury status of the body.

• Aches and pains are often reduced or alleviated after a sauna or steam room session. There are even claims that rheumatism and arthritis can be aided by regular treatments of this kind. The most obvious explanation is that the enlarged blood vessels and increased blood circulation enable higher levels of oxygen to reach the problem areas promoting faster healing and reduced discomfort.
• Common colds, the flu and fevers can have their symptoms reduced and the duration of the illness shortened by using sauna or steam room sessions. It is claimed that the immune system of the human body (which can be triggered by a fever) is tricked into action by repeated sessions and this in turn reduces the severity and duration of this kind of illness.

Naturally the frequency of sauna or steam room use, plus the intensity of the sessions themselves, will dictate how influential and effective the claims made above actually are. However there is a broad consensus of opinion that heat and humidity treatments of this type help the skin, detoxify the body, relax and rejuvenate muscles, result in loss of weight and add to better general health.