WHY YOU, TOO, SHOULD BE GOING TO THE SAUNA EVERYDAY
Most people, not just us Finns, already know that establishing a regular sauna going habit comes with significant health benefits and can considerably improve the quality of your life. Let’s take a closer look!
The prestigious Mayo Clinic Proceedings has compiled an article* summarizing the available epidemiological, experimental, and interventional evidence about the health benefits of the Finnish sauna. These include – but are not limited to – the following:
- REDUCED THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
- LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
- HELP WITH SPECIFIC SKIN CONDITIONS
- REDUCTION OF STRESS AND INFLAMMATION
- DETOXIFICATION OF THE BODY
Frankly, that sounds better than meditation and yoga combined!
SO, HOW CAN YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF THE ASTOUNDING BENEFITS OUT OF A SAUNA?
Dr. Jari Laukkanen, a world-renowned cardiologist who oversaw the first ever – and very extensive – research project into the health benefits of sauna bathing in 2018, advises people that they should enjoy sauna 4-7 times a week. Each session should ideally last 20 minutes or more. And, to be clear, all you need to do there is sit down and breathe. Just sweat it all out!
Doesn’t that sound like an absurdly easy way to improve your health and well-being? Because, let’s face it, going to the sauna is like spending quality time at a spa, pampering your body and soul.
But wait a minute, you say. The Mayo Clinic list only listed 5 benefits and you were promised 8! Well, fasten your seatbelt, because here they come:
THE 8 ASTONISHING HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE FINNISH SAUNA
1. & 2. IMPROVED MEMORY AND MENTAL HEALTH
Regular sauna going has been shown to prevent mental disorders as well as to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as evidenced by Dr. Laukkanen in his study.
3. JUST AS HEALTHY AS EXERCISE!
Regular sauna sessions can have the same psychological benefits as moderate to intense physical activity.
4. THE SECRET TO A LONG LIFE!
Those going to the sauna regularly are less likely to die of cardiac diseases, the leading cause of death globally!
5. A BOOST TO THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Going to the sauna can help you fight off the common cold, and reduce inflammation.
6. & 7. SAUNA RELIEVES MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN
No matter if your aches are related to strenuous physical activity during work or play, or simply caused by old age, you can easily get rid of by taking a sauna.
8. MAKES YOU HAPPIER AND THUS IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE!
Nothing beats happiness and health, the duo that seldom comes as a natural pairing.
You have to admit that the list is impressive. No wonder there is an old Finnish proverb declaring that ”Sauna is the poor man’s pharmacy”. Actually, we should amend that to maybe something like ”Sauna is every health-conscious person’s pharmacy, gym and meditation center all rolled into one!”
SAUNA – THE ORIGINAL ESCAPE ROOM
In Finland sauna is so much more than a healthy everyday habit. Sauna plays a role in most cultural rituals of the Finnish people from bachelorette parties to everyday social events. Here is a rather realistic example of what it can look like for those not accustomed to the, sometimes crazy, habit of the Finns.
Sources:
* https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30275-1/fulltext