Saunas are a common feature at luxury spas and wellness centres, but how much do you really know about the plethora of health benefits they offer – and why it’s worth making using one a regular inclusion in your routine?
For some, the idea of sweating it out alongside semi-naked strangers is less than appealing – but know that most are not doing it just for fun. On the contrary; beyond being spaces for relaxation – and if you’re feeling friendly, a little socialising – heat therapy has been shown by numerous studies over the years to promote overall wellness and provide a welcome boost for both body and mind.
We asked the experts at Beyond Rest, home to the leading infrared sauna in Melbourne, to share their thoughts on why adding this soothing therapy to your routine could make all the difference to how you feel in both body and mind in 2024.
A time-tested tradition
The traditional sauna experience is a concept that is thought to date back over 10,000 years, and involves sitting in a room filled with dry heat generated by rocks or a stove. The high temperature induces sweating – the body’s natural mechanism for detoxification and cooling down – and as your sweat evaporates from your skin, you can enjoy a cleanse for your pores as you expel toxins, and the promotion of circulation.
Saunas are known for their ability to relax muscles and alleviate tension and, as such, are popular with athletes and sports enthusiasts alike as part of their rest and recovery. The heat penetrates deep into the muscles, promoting vasodilation and increasing blood flow to reduce stiffness and muscle soreness, helping restore your body to a fully recovered state in as little as 20 minutes.
Regular sauna sessions gently increase the heart rate, simulating a light cardiovascular workout, and thus have also been shown to boost cardiovascular health when used regularly and over time. Along with this comes improved circulation and reduced risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, making weekly or even daily sessions an essential part of many people’s lifestyles.
Saunas are also known to aid the body’s natural detoxification process, eliminating toxins and impurities from the body. They are increasingly being incorporated into wellness retreat schedules thanks to their ability to expel heavy metals and environmental pollutants from the body for those who take their wellness especially seriously, and the process can result in a refreshed and revitalised feeling, both physically and mentally.
The rise of infrared saunas
Over recent years, the concept of infrared saunas has enjoyed a surge in popularity and uses a slightly different approach to elicit the same sought-after wellness benefits. They work by emitting radiant heat – which can penetrate deeper into the skin – directly onto it to stimulate more intense sweating, but as an added bonus, this can be achieved at a far lower temperature than would be required in a traditional sauna. So, if you struggle with the dry heat but don’t want to miss out on the benefits, then infrared saunas offer an excellent alternative.
Infrared saunas have a particular edge over their more traditional counterparts when it comes to promoting relaxation and stress relief, too. Their gentle warmth is able to effectively soothe muscles and calm the nervous system, promoting a sense of tranquillity and well-being, and regular sessions can help you to unwind.
The therapeutic effects of infrared saunas on various health conditions have also been making waves in the wellness sphere, with studies showing that this type of therapy can help to alleviate chronic pain conditions – not just general back pain, but also the likes of arthritis and fibromyalgia. This, in part, comes down to its enhanced ability to penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers, which makes it more efficient at reducing inflammation and boosting circulation.
They’ve even been touted as being helpful with weight loss, although the jury is still out on how effective it really is on that one. However, we do know that regular sessions can increase calorie burn and boost metabolism, thus promoting fat loss. Even so, infrared sauna sessions alone are unlikely to get you the results you want unless being used alongside a calorie controlled diet and regular exercise.
Maximising the benefits
To reap the full benefits of your sauna sessions, staying hydrated is key, so be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after sessions and consider taking electrolytes under the guidance of a trained medical professional. Your sessions should be limited to between 15-20 minutes to avoid overheating. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, then do seek professional advice before beginning on your journey with using saunas for wellness purposes.
From relaxation and stress relief to detoxification and pain management, regular sauna sessions have been shown to serve as a powerful tool when it comes to overall wellbeing and vitality, and whether a traditional Finnish sauna or the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna appeals to you the most, incorporating this soothing therapy into your lifestyle is certainly worth a try if you’re looking to uplevel your sense of wellness in 2024.
