Nowadays, an increasing number of gyms have evolved into 'health spas.' Aside from the usual weights and treadmills, these all-inclusive gyms also have pools, television, cafes, hot tubs, and saunas. These unnecessary additions are merely distractions for some. Others see them as a "dessert" after the "vegetable course" that is the workout.
But what if relaxing in a sauna was actually good for you? You might be surprised to learn that there are several very impressive benefits to spending time in the sauna. In this post, we'll look at the top surprising benefits of spending time in saunas.
Endurance Advantages
If you're a long-distance runner, you probably go to the gym to do at least some treadmill running. However, this is an excellent example of how you can benefit from your downtime in the sauna as well. This is because sauna use has been shown to improve endurance athletes' performance significantly. The reason for this is due to heat management. While many of us believe that we tire out during a run due to a buildup of lactate or a lack of oxygen/energy, the reality is that it is often due to overheating. However, spending time in the sauna can help to improve your ability to regulate your temperature in a variety of ways (such as by raising your blood vessels to the surface of the skin in order to cool your blood temperature).
When you do this, you will be able to cope much better with extreme temperatures, which will allow you to run for much longer periods of time without dehydrating or reaching dangerous temperatures.
Recuperation
You've probably heard about the new trend of taking cold showers and ice baths. What is the advantage of this, you may ask?
It essentially causes a massive release of adrenaline, which can help you wake up, combat inflammation, and more! However, doing so immediately after a workout can be harmful. This is because you are extending the sympathetic nervous response elicited by your workout. To put it another way, the cold keeps you 'on' and keeps your body from resting. You remain in fight-or-flight mode rather than rest-and-digest mode.
As a result, you may not be able to repair your muscles as effectively and some of your hard work in the gym may be wasted. In contrast, having a sauna may help you to increase blood flow to your muscles, relax and recover, and generally restore yourself after training.
Increased Energy
A sauna can help you boost your energy in a variety of ways. However, one of the most surprising effects is that it increases the number of red blood cells in your body. Red blood cells are the oxygen-carrying cells in your blood and are responsible for providing your muscles, brain, and organs with the oxygen they require to function.
Stress Reduction
Even though you were unaware of the magical properties of saunas, I imagine you still enjoyed your sauna experience. Why? Because it is soothing. Spending time in the sauna can help your muscles relax, causing your entire body and mind to follow suit. This is an excellent way to unwind after a strenuous training session or a long day at work. That is why so many of us are willing to pay a little more for this level of luxury.
Pain Control
Saunas can actually help you deal with various types of pain. When we have muscle pain or a stomach upset, we are often told to apply a heat pack or a hot water bottle to the affected area. This is due to the fact that it not only helps to relax the muscle, but it is also numbing and soothing.
Mood
Another reason many of us are drawn to saunas is that they make us feel good emotionally. This is due in part to relaxation, but it is also due to the direct effect that heat has on our endorphin production. These assist us in leaving the sauna feeling elated, and it is the ideal way to leave worries at the door.
Endorphins are also produced following a workout. So, when you combine an intense training session with a sauna session, you feel rested and great. Furthermore, because endorphins are naturally analgesic, this will contribute to the previously mentioned significant pain reduction.
Sleep
Regular sauna visits can help you sleep better in a variety of ways. For one thing, because it helps to relax your muscles and increases melatonin and growth hormone, it will make you feel very relaxed right after you come out.If you train in the morning and finish in the evening, you can go to the sauna and begin your energy decline toward sleep.Even if you don't sleep after your workout, it can improve your ability to sleep in the long run. It accomplishes this by assisting with temperature regulation, which is one of the most significant issues affecting our ability to sleep soundly.
In short, a sauna is such an effective health and energy booster that some are dubbing it the next "performance-enhancing hack." Please take a look at our variety of saunas to start gaining the benefits and changing your life.