I can remember feeling so grown up sitting in the sauna with my grandfather, somehow displaying my strength because I was sweating generously and remaining calm. We would rinse off after maybe twenty minutes and then take a short swim in the cool water of the adjacent pool in their Florida condominium where my grandparents spent their winters. Then we may go back to the sauna and do this ritual a few times. In addition to this, my grandfather also had a canoe docked a few yards away amongst the large boats and we’d sometimes take a paddle before coming back to take a swim. A swim, a sauna, a swim, a paddle, a sauna, another swim, what a healthful winter vacation I had with my retired, snowbird grandparents. Not to mention those Florida oranges on the dock.
Sauna for Your Health
The thought of the people of Finland using the sauna regularly is so attractive to me that I’m considering adding one to my weekly life. Aside from the sentimental connection to my grandfather, there are so many reported health benefits to sauna use. I find a general sense of well-being after a sauna, especially during winter in Vermont. My wife and I recently visited one and dipped into the nearby shallow icy brook for the health-promoting cold plunge. The sense of relaxation and then invigoration is an incredible combination.
The heat from the sauna is known to speed healing by improving circulation, while cold is known to reduce inflammation and ease muscle soreness. Such contrast therapy is often recommended by the physical therapist to promote healing during a certain phase of an injury. The heat will dilate the blood vessels while the cold constricts them, promoting better circulation. This can benefit general cardiovascular health. With cardiovascular disease, care must be taken, and the use of this therapy should be discussed with the doctor. The dilation and constriction in blood vessels will typically increase the heart rate and will cause the release of adrenaline and endorphins. This can create a sense of focus and an energized feeling and promote natural pain relief.
Sauna use and increasing the body’s core temperature can have an immune-enhancing effect. Studies have shown that certain types of immune cells function better under these conditions. Using the sauna can also help enhance the body’s detoxifying ability. The sustained heat will cause the body to sweat, while the cold will tighten the pores, enhancing skin tone. Hence, the alternating temperatures can promote a healthy complexion. There is a general sense of relaxation achieved from hot and cold, and it can be used regularly for stress reduction.
Take Precautions
There are some precautions to take if using a sauna is of interest, especially when alternating with cold plunging. As mentioned, it’s important to consult with your physician if you have heart issues or diabetes. Pay close attention to how your body feels, as being in a sauna is likely not your typical environment, and take a cold plunge. And be careful to stay hydrated. Always plan to drink water before, during, and after using the sauna. Drinking coffee or alcohol could contribute to creating a dehydrated state in your body. There’s a lot of information to explore on this subject, as I’m not necessarily an authority. Much time with my grandfather and, more recently, with my wife, has given me some good experience to value this form of body care deeply.