Dr. Robert Cook - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Robert Cook

Are Saunas Bad For You?


Grade

A


Short answer

Saunas are a wonderful place to relax, socialize and heal the body. The health benefits of taking a little time to sit in a sauna are astounding.

Grade

A


Long answer

Saunas are great for numerous reasons, both physically and mentally. For one thing, bathing in a public sauna tends to promote relaxation and social interaction. With temperatures soaring well past 100 degrees, there isn't much else to do in a sauna besides sit (or lay) down and talk to others. 

Saunas make you sweat. The high temperature causes most people to lose about one pint of sweat within a short period of time. This abundant sweating helps clear your body of toxins and helps with weight loss. Furthermore, the heat activates your scalp's sebaceous gland, which moisturizes your hair, keeping it healthy and looking good. 

The heat has also been shown by various studies to relieve stress, help increase white blood cell count (thus improving the immune system), and to improve blood circulation. In fact, according to one study done in Finland (the word "sauna" is, in fact, Finnish), men who used the sauna every day were less likely to develop heart disease than men who did not. 

There is a caveat, though. People with low blood pressure or those who are dehydrated may become dizzy from the heat. If, however, you do not suffer from these two ailments (hydration, of course, can be fixed by guzzling down some water) and want a place to relax, socialize, and improve your overall well-being, then a sauna is just the place to do it. 

One last thing to mention about saunas. Due to the intense heat, people who use a sauna regularly build up a tolerance to heat. This is good news for athletes who have to perform in high endurance sports. Relaxing in the sauna may lead to feeling less fatigued on the field.


Possible short-term side effects

  • overheating can cause:
  • dizziness
  • arrhythmia
  • stomach pain


Benefits

  • may improve blood circulation
  • good for socialization
  • calming / relaxing
  • helps increase white blood cells
  • improves heat tolerance
  • flushes toxin out of the body via sweat
  • activates sebaceous gland



Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-20-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-20-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016




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