EXCLUSIVE Shock health benefits of using a sauna revealed... including one that mimics a cardio workout
When it comes to relaxation, the idea of hitting the sauna may feel like a luxury.
But with plenty of gyms offering the experience and bath houses popping up all over cities, this once-considered luxury is now a pretty common activity.
And now, with sauna bathing's growing popularity, there's research that shows it does a lot more for your health than just relaxation.
The idea of sitting in a room set to a temperature of anywhere between 150 degrees and 195 degrees Fahrenheit may seem either like tranquility to some or actual torture to others.
But regardless of how you feel about the heat, it has a lot more health benefits than you'd think.
'As an integrative medical doctor, I'm all about health made easy, especially enjoyable things that you can do that will give you big returns,' Dr. Lamees Hamdan told DailyMail.com.
She explained that frequent sauna use is pleasurable, mood-boosting, and much more.
She even recommends sauna bathing up to four times a week at intervals of 20-minute sessions.
Here are all the ways sauna bathing can help with your health.
Sauna bathing can replicate moderate exercise
Being in a sauna is great for your health because it gets your blood pumping.
In fact, it gets your blood pumping so much that it can even trick your body into thinking it's exercising.
'Studies have shown that sauna use can mimic the impact of HIIT exercise, because it increases your heart rate, increases overall blood flow,' Dr. Lamdan said.
This is also why it's a great option for after your workout.
'Studies have linked the long term use of of sauna to lower risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes.
'This is because sauna heat causes the blood vessels to widen, improving blood flow and circulation.'
And considering the fact that millions of people die every year due to cardiovascular-related issues, this is a health benefit you might want to consider.
Sauna bathing can help improve your quality of sleep
It's no secret that saunas are great for relaxation - but did you know this side effect could end up helping you sleep better?
'The heat helps your muscles relax, reduces stress and calms the mind. When you're in the sauna, it's obviously hot, and when you exit, your body temperature drops,' Dr. Hamdan explained.
'That signals to your body to produce melatonin, which is the hormone that helps regulate sleep.
'Regular sauna use also helps reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, which can help improve your stress.'
Sauna bathing can help your skin issues
You may have heard that heat and steam can open up your pores.
Well, the same concept can be applied to sauna bathing.
'In general, heat promotes sweating, during which it brings a lot of blood and oxygen to your skin cells,' Dr. Hamdan explained.
She said to be sure to make sure you're going into a sauna with clean skin.
And if you're someone with melasma or rosacea, you might want to limit how much you try sauna bathing, as it could potentially exacerbate your symptoms.
Sauna bathing can improve your memory
There are studies that suggest regular sauna use can actually reduce your risk of Alzheimer's or dementia - and Dr. Hamdan explained that it has a lot to do with increasing blood flow to the brain.
'Stress reduction is also important as stress is a lifespan-reducer, and it accelerates brain aging,' she said.
She said the heat stimulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
'This is a protein that plays a crucial role in the growth, survival, and function of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord,' she said.
'Also, too much cortisol (particularly long-term elevated cortisol) can negatively impact memory and function.'
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