6 Health Reasons to Visit The Well
The effect of sauna and spa visits is increasingly put in the spotlight by medical research communities. It has also become a clear trend to use both hot sauna visits and cool baths as part of staying in shape in a holistic way. Here are 6 important health reasons to make spa visits a habit.
Strengthens the immune system
Medical research shows that regular use of saunas and steam rooms strengthens the immune system. It is the body's reaction to the high temperature that pushes the immune system and adds extra strength. We get a fever when we get sick, so increased body temperature is our self-defense against viruses and bacteria. Increasing body temperature makes it harder for viruses and bacteria to survive.
Therefore, it is not illogical that increased body temperature with the help of sauna and steam rooms can support the body's self-defense against diseases. The body can benefit from sweating, because the sweat cleanses the skin of bacteria that can otherwise stress the immune system, by rinsing bacteria-removing sweat out of the pores.
Scientific research has shown that saunas increase the number of white blood cells and other factors in the blood that are important for the immune system. An article in the European Journal of Epidemiology shows that regular sauna baths lead to a reduced incidence of colds and flu.
Make you beautiful
Regular use of a sauna and steam bath can work wonders for your skin. The warm air cleanses the pores of the skin and increases circulation. Heat and sweat also stimulate collagen, which makes the skin supple and gives it a youthful appearance. One session in the sauna may not have much effect, but if you use the sauna and steam bath regularly, you will soon see a difference in your skin. A good tip is to use a good moisturizer while the skin is still moist, so that you retain the fresh glow from the sauna bath.
Heat can help reduce symptoms of depression
Warmth provides well-being and can help you relax in a better way. Whether you spend time taking a hot bath or lower your heart rate in the sauna and steam room, the result is often a long-lasting feeling of relaxation and satisfaction. Research shows that regular hot baths and visits to saunas and steam baths actually have measurable positive effects on serotonin levels in the blood. Serotonin is called the "happiness hormone" and it affects both our mood and our behavior. In mild symptoms of depression, such as autumn and winter depression, hot baths, saunas and steam baths can therefore have a very positive effect.
More sauna - less headaches
A visit to the sauna can relieve tension headaches caused by stress. In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, a research group from New Zealand compares two groups of patients suffering from chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH). One group was asked to take a regular sauna bath for a period of 8 weeks. The results clearly showed that those who regularly sat in the sauna experienced significantly lower levels of pain and headaches.
Health-promoting for your heart
Regular sauna baths can reduce the risk of heart attack by as much as 63%, according to a Finnish study. For 20 years, Finnish researchers have monitored 2,000 middle-aged men (42-60 years). During this period, it became clear that those who took sauna baths regularly had a significantly lower risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases of various kinds. The participants who visited the sauna regularly lived noticeably longer, and the more often they spent time in the sauna, the stronger the positive effects on cardiovascular health. The study was led by Dr. Jari Laukannen, a cardiologist at the University of Eastern Finland.
Reduce the risk of stroke
Studies show that regular and frequent sauna sessions can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. The study was conducted by a Finnish research team and the participants were monitored for 15 years. During this period, there had been 155 strokes in the group. Participants who had 2 to 3 sauna sessions a week were 12% less likely to suffer from a stroke. But what was even more surprising was that the people who spent time in the sauna 4-7 times a week reduced the risk of stroke by 62%.
Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
Sauna visits can actually reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's. The same Finnish study as mentioned above showed that men who went to the sauna between four and seven times a week were found to be 66 percent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. They were also 65 percent less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease than those who only took one sauna bath a week.
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