The powerful heat helps lower cortisol levels and stimulate the production of the body’s “feel-good” hormone, endorphins. According to the North American Sauna Society, “The level of endorphins released during sauna bathing can be three times normal, similar to a middle-distance training run.”
The dry heat of a sauna improves blood flow to your muscles. As your muscles loosen and warm up, many bathers experience significant pain relief.
"The high temperatures in a warm tub or sauna cause your blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure,” says Dr. Adolph Hutter, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. The increase in nutrient-rich blood throughout the body strengthens overall cardiovascular function.
Frequent sauna use may help stave off heart diseases and strokes. A 2018 study found that visiting the sauna 4-7 times per week reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 48%.
According to MD, Dr. Po-Change HSU, “Heat exposure in a sauna may boost melatonin production, a sleep-inducing hormone. This typically makes people fall asleep faster and often leads to deeper, restorative sleep."
Additional Health Benefits of Sauna:
- Stronger Immune System
- Better Mood
- Assisting with Weight Loss
- Elevated Workout Performance
- Improved Overall Relaxation
Traditional vs Infrared Saunas
A major difference between infrared and traditional saunas is the type of heat that is created. Traditional saunas heat the air throughout the sauna with a dry heat. Modern infrared saunas warm your body directly with infrared heat waves without heating the entire room.
While traditional Finnish saunas typically run between 160 and 190 degrees, infrared saunas are significantly cooler and run between 120 and 140 degrees. Traditional saunas also have much higher humidity levels than infrared saunas. IR saunas are easier to set up and maintain than traditional dry saunas – making them increasingly popular in homes, gyms, and spas.
Choosing between traditional and infrared saunas often comes down to your personal preferences. While dry saunas and IR saunas provide very different bathing experiences, both will leave you feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated after each visit.
Contact Us
We carry a wide variety of indoor saunas, infrared sauna kits, sauna barrels, and outdoor saunas from Auroom, Haljas, Iglucraft, SaunaLife, and Finnmark Designs. If you have questions, please call (800) 707-2862. Our dedicated sauna experts are happy to help!
