Sweat It Out!

Sauna – meaning ‘bath’ or ‘bathhouse’ – is the only Finnish word commonly used in the English language. Europeans have enjoyed saunas for thousands of years. Over time they have developed into the Finnish-style wooden saunas we are familiar with. Today, saunas are found across the globe, however they remain strongly associated with Scandinavia, and particularly with Finland, where they originated.

Relaxes and soothes aches and pains in muscles and joints

With the high heat of a sauna, the body releases endorphins that have an enjoyable and tranquilizing effect, diminishing pain from arthritis and other muscle soreness. Blood circulation increases and vessels dilate improving the body’s natural healing process, reducing muscle tension and eliminating lactic acid build-up.

Aids weight loss

Enjoying a sauna regularly is a great way to lose weight. During a sauna, heart rate increases due to the heat. A 20-minute session at around 170 degrees Fahrenheit can burn over 500 calories. Regular use of a sauna can also speed up the body’s metabolism, helping to maintain a healthy weight.

Strengthens the immune system

Sauna use helps to create a stronger immune system by helping the body produce white blood cells to attack infections and ailments. Regular sauna users have a higher white blood cell count and significantly fewer instances of cold and flu.

Healthier skin

The largest organ of the body is the skin. As we grow older, dead cells accumulate and skin becomes less elastic. Sauna use improves blood flow to the skin, encouraging the growth of new skin cells. The skin also experiences a deep cleanse as sweat cleans out the pores and bacteria are flushed away with the removal of any dead cells building up on the surface.

And as if those reasons weren’t enough, it feels great!

Sara Jones
Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant and Founder of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe magazine
www.spawellnessmexico.com