Saunas are wonderful for many reasons but in this post I want to focus on sauna benefits for those of you working out.
Before I jump into the benefits of saunas after workouts, I want all of you to understand that more is not always better. Be careful when doing saunas after workouts. Limit sauna time to no longer than 20 minutes to avoid over-exerting your body. If you have never used a sauna before or are new to saunas, start with shorter periods of time. Listen to your body, it will tell you if you’re spending too long in the sauna after a workout.
I highly recommend drinking at least one full glass of water before and after using a sauna to avoid dehydration, especially after a workout. Do not drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before, during or after sauna use. I also suggest not to eat a large meal before using a sauna.
TOP BENEFITS
1. Promotes Muscle Recovery
A good workout can often cause muscle soreness over the next few days; especially if it is a new muscle group you are working on. Sore muscles can slow down your progress if you decide to skip working out because of the pain and soreness that can be a drag! Doing a sauna after your workout can really reduce delayed onset muscle soreness; also known as DOMS.
Saunas help speed recovery and reduce soreness because saunas increase circulation, which brings more oxygen-rich blood to your muscles and can help speed up muscle recovery.
2. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Using a sauna after a workout can also help improve your cardiovascular health. The heat from the sauna helps to increase your heart rate, which can help improve circulation and oxygen delivery to your muscles. This can also help improve your endurance and overall cardiovascular health.
This study published by the Mayo Clinic reviewed all existing evidence of the sauna’s ability to improve cardiovascular health. It states,Beyond pleasure and relaxation, emerging evidence suggests that sauna bathing has several health benefits, which include reduction in the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and neuro-cognitive diseases.”
Another study of over 2,000 men in Finland, where saunas were super popular, found that sauna use lowered the risk of dying from heart disease as well as “all-cause mortality.” Spending time in the sauna decreased their chances of dying from any other cause.
3. Reduces Stress
Working out can be a great way to relieve stress, but using a sauna after your workout can take your stress relief to the next level. Saunas help reduce stress by promoting relaxation and releasing endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling more relaxed and refreshed after your workout.
4. Detoxifies the Body
Saunas can also help detoxify the body by promoting sweating. Sweating helps to remove toxins from the body, including heavy metals and other harmful substances. This can help improve your overall health and wellbeing, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after your workout.
5. Boosts the Immune System
Using a sauna after a workout can also help boost your immune system. The heat from the sauna helps to increase the production of white blood cells, which can help fight infections and other illnesses. This can help keep you healthy and reduce your risk of getting sick.
Using a sauna after working out has a host of benefits. From promoting muscle recovery to reducing stress and boosting the immune system, saunas are a great way to help your body recover after a workout. If you haven’t tried using a sauna after your workout, give it a try and see how it can benefit your health and wellbeing. Using a sauna blanket makes it much more affordable and easy to use and store as well!
WHERE TO GET A SAUNA BLANKET
We do not have a lot of space at our Keto Condo in Maui so a sauna blanket is perfect for getting all the benefits without taking up space!
What I love about Bon Charge is their constant search for creating products that can really enhance our health and wellness! BON CHARGE products help you naturally address the issues of our modern-day way of life effortlessly and with maximum impact.