Jhunie B. Wahayna
Sauna a relaxing and enjoyable environment to help you unwind. It is a place to find peace of mind, relaxation and contentment. During sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75 percent.
This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow. Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities.
During sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70 percent of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). These bring nutrients to subcutaneous (under the skin) and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.
Saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. Thirty percent of body wastes are passed through the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.
Sweating is beneficial for our health. Toxins are released through our skin when sweating. If we increase the rate of sweating we rid our bodies of more toxins. A dry sauna heats our skin directly not with steam and humidity so we reach an increased body temperature faster.
Along with the higher temperature a sauna will open the pores in our skin to allow more moisture and toxins to escape. This combined process is one of the best health benefits of a dry sauna.
When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).
When someone enters a sauna, the increased temperature causes an elevation in heart rate and also increases circulation. Blood vessels and the body become more flexible, and the metabolism also increases. These physiological reactions to a sauna have a number of positive health impacts on the body, especially with routine sauna use.
The increased circulation which results from regular sauna use benefits the extremities and the skin. A sauna also opens the pores of the skin to help the body express toxins, carried out in the sweat which results from the high temperature.
Taking a sauna can help to stave off cold symptoms, relieve sore muscles, and awaken the body while simultaneously reducing feelings of stress and unhappiness. Frequent sauna bathers often say that they feel more at peace and relaxed after sitting in a sauna, and some take that opportunity to meditate so that the sensation is increased.
Traditionally, people alternate hot and cold during sauna session. Most people take sauna for 15 to 20 minutes before stepping out and taking a cold shower or plunge to close the pores. The body is allowed to rest outside the sauna for the same amount of time that it was inside before another round of sauna commences. This reduces stress on the body as the result of a sauna, and also allows the bather time to drink water and relax.
There are some cautions to sauna use: sauna bathers should drink plenty of water before, during, and after the sauna session. If dizziness or nausea (tendency to vomit) is experienced in a sauna, the bather should get out immediately and cool down. Use of a sauna may be contraindicated for people who have medical issues like high or low blood pressure, heart disease, or pregnancy. If you are unsure about whether taking a sauna is safe for you, consult your doctor.
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