Sweat, Heal, Repeat: Embracing Sauna for Total Wellness
As someone who doesn't sweat much during workouts, I've found the sauna to be a game-changer in my wellness routine. Since discovering its benefits in 2019, it's become one of my holy grail wellness tips. Here's why I love it:
Hormonal acne relief: Using the sauna a couple of times a week has significantly improved my hormonal acne.
Detoxification: It provides an excellent opportunity for my body to open its pores and properly sweat out toxins.
Multitasking wellness: I love to stack my sauna time with other activities. I'll often bring a book or practice meditation.
Lymphatic drainage: Sometimes, I'll put my legs up during my sauna session to aid in lymphatic drainage.
The sauna has become more than just a sweat session for me - it's a holistic wellness experience that I look forward to each week.
What is Sauna Therapy?
Sauna therapy involves spending time in a small room or space designed to help you sweat. Traditionally, saunas use dry heat, but many modern variations include steam rooms and infrared saunas. The high temperature - typically between 150°F and 195°F (65°C to 90°C) for traditional saunas - induces profuse sweating, which is believed to have numerous health benefits.
The Glowing Benefits of Sauna
Since starting my sauna journey, I've experienced a multitude of benefits:
Improved circulation: The heat causes blood vessels to dilate, improving blood flow throughout the body.
Detoxification: Sweating helps flush out toxins from the body.
Stress relief: The heat and quiet environment provide a perfect space for relaxation and meditation.
Better sleep: Regular sauna use has significantly improved my sleep quality.
Glowing skin: The increased circulation and sweating have given my skin a healthy, natural glow.
Muscle recovery: It's great for soothing sore muscles after a workout.
Types of Saunas
There are several types of saunas, each with its unique benefits:
Traditional Finnish sauna: Uses dry heat and occasional water on heated rocks to create steam.
Infrared sauna: Uses infrared heaters to emit radiant heat, which is directly absorbed by the body.
Steam room: Uses moist heat, which can be beneficial for respiratory issues.
I personally love both traditional and infrared saunas, alternating between them based on my needs and mood.
Incorporating regular sauna sessions into my wellness routine has been transformative. It's not just about the physical benefits - it's a holistic experience that nurtures both body and mind. Whether you're looking to detoxify, relax, improve your skin, or simply carve out some me-time, I highly recommend giving sauna therapy a try.
Have you experienced the magic of saunas? Or are you inspired to start? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's sweat it out together!
Until next time, stay hot and healthy!
XOXO,
Madeleine
