The Sauna Sweats

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You may have noticed how more and more gyms have been adding saunas to their facilities list and been wondering what the hype was all about.

If you aren't familiar with saunas, they are rooms that are typically heated anywhere from 176 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. There are many different kinds of saunas that differ based on how the room is heated and how much moisture is in the air, but they all seem to have very similar effects on the body as long as the temperature lies in the correct range. Saunas are by no means new to the world, having been used by Finnish people for thousands of years mainly as a way to relax, but in past decades they have been gaining popularity in other countries like America. As a result, much research has been coming out revealing the many health benefits of saunas apart from just pure relaxation. 

Relaxation and attempting to lower stress levels are popular reasons for sauna use, but regularly using a sauna can drastically improve your long term health as well. According to a Finland study, prolonged sauna use is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular problems, such as cardiovascular disease and cardiac death, due to the reduction in stress levels that saunas often provide. Additionally, their positive effects on lung function help with nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary disease as well, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

On a lighter note, sauna use has also been proven to be very beneficial to your sleep. One study that analyzed 482 people who used the sauna approximately 1-2 times a week had 83.5% report sleep benefits after sauna use. So if you are missing out on your much needed beauty rest, joining a gym with a sauna could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Additionally, for gym junkies especially, research shows that saunas help with muscle recovery and easing pain, so frequenting saunas after difficult workouts that leave you with aching, sore muscles can be very beneficial. 

Based on the many positive effects sauna use can have on your health, we think it should most definitely be a new addition to your gym routine! 

Used a sauna before?

Heading to one soon?

Tag us @theedgemag !! We’d love to see.