7 Surprising Sauna Benefits That Will Make You Want to Sweat More Often
Good Housekeeping spotlights how sauna sessions result in measurable physiological responses, including a heart healthy boost, enhancing recovery and pain relief, improved immunity, stronger skin barrier, and radiant skin.
Everyone knows exercise is great for your heart, but fewer people realize that sitting in a sauna triggers many of the
same physical responses as aerobic activity
. It’s not a replacement for working out, of course, but the similarities are pretty impressive.
“Anything that raises your core temperature makes your body work harder, whether you’re exercising or hanging in the sauna,” explains
Rachelle Reed
, PhD, MS, ACSM-EP, an exercise scientist and Director of Health and Science at Perspire Sauna Studio. “Sauna users see an increase in heart rate, breathing, sweating, and cardiac output—the amount of blood your heart pumps in a minute. This shift in blood flow can help support the health and flexibility of your blood vessels.”
Considering that heart disease is the
leading cause of death
in the United States, these cardiovascular benefits are especially meaningful.
Research
confirms a strong heart protective benefit: People who enjoy a sauna four to seven times a week have a 48% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who only go once a week.
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