Embracing Winter: The Benefits of Sauna Bathing
It's February and winter has arrived❄️ Spending time in a hot sauna sounds like a good idea to me! I suspect something in my Swedish DNA has created a genuine sauna lover out of me. I find there's little better in life than being in a sauna (or a hot bath) for an hour - it's pure heaven to me!
Sauna Use and Lifespan: What Research Says
Research out of Finland, is showing that there are important health benefits, that are perhaps just as critical to our lifespan as nutrition, exercise and sleep, that improve the quality of our life for a longer period of time.
One very large study, has found that participants who used the sauna two to three times a week were 22 percent less likely to experience sudden cardiac death than those who only used it once a week. Those who used a sauna FOUR TO SEVEN TIMES a week were 63 percent less likely to experience sudden cardiac death and 50 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who only used a sauna once a week.
THOSE ARE ASTOUNDING FIGURES!!
The Benefits of Heat Therapy
AND THE BENEFITS DON'T STOP THERE....
HEAT THERAPY is beneficial for the body, mind + spirit. And the sweet spot seems to be FOUR times each week for 20-30 minutes, at about 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Sauna use has a long history of improved health benefits, here are just a few:
increased circulation may help reduce muscle soreness, improve joint movement, and ease arthritis pain.
sauna mimics the effects of moderate cardiovascular exercise after which blood pressure and resting heart rate are lower
people who use a sauna may have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
sauna can reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimers by increasing blood flow to the brain
sauna helps convert white fat to beige fat thereby increasing metabolism and fat loss
post-sauna cooling effect, or thermoregulation by lowering body temperature by a degree or more, will help with sleep if we do it later in the day
after sauna endorphins are better able to bind to receptors in the brain and help boost mood while also having an anti-depressant effect
The long-term positive effects of sauna bathing on our health and lifespan are undeniable, and something we might all want to incorporate into our week.
Do you sauna bathe?
What are some of the benefits you've experienced from the sauna?
I'd like to help you learn more about
lifestyle interventions that could improve
your healthspan
just reach out + set up
a free discovery call with me!
I'm Lisa Thompson, a Functional Nutritionist (FNTP) and I'd like to guide you on a journey to optimal health by providing education, support, accountability, motivation and inspiration. Using a holistic approach, I look deeply at how all of our inter-dependent systems work uniquely, and specifically in each of us- keeping in mind the bigger picture and LIFESTYLE choices that impact our well-being. For instance: how and when we eat, whether we get good sleep, what role exercise plays in our life, and how community, friends, family and belief systems impact our health and vitality.
I am currently taking new clients at this time and would love to work with you.
Email me: lisa@lisamarlenethompson.com