THE HEALTHY SAUNA

Switching between cold and hot is wonderful - our body comes alive and we can almost feel our cells buzzing around.

You have just taken the cold plunge in the fresh sea and are looking forward to a piping-hot sauna today, whether at your winter bathing club or visiting a sauna at a special spot or for the weekend.

It will be wonderful to feel the difference between the ice-cold water and the warm, dry air in the sauna.  

But is sauna actually healthy?

Whether saunas are healthy is a topic that can spark long conversations between those who love them and those who prefer to warm up — in a cozy windproof robe or jumpsuit, or with a dip.

The good (or old) news is that the sauna has many benefits and (almost) no downsides.

Sauna – pros and cons

When you stay in a sauna for longer periods, your body temperature will rise. At first it may feel unfamiliar and slightly uncomfortable. It is, however, just a matter of getting used to — and if you season your sauna visit with a cold dip in the sea, you overcome this challenge easily because you can quickly cool down and return to normal body temperature again.

The best approach is to alternate a few times between a cold dip in the water and a warming session in the sauna. Start by going into the water and then sit in the sauna until you slowly feel sweat beginning to bead on your forehead. Remember to wear a good sauna hat so you protect your hair strands.

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Then jump back into the water and repeat — preferably three times.

Always finish on cold - it strengthens your immune system and helps your body re-establish warmth and normal body temperature. 

Also remember to drink plenty of water. Your body needs to replace all the fluid you have sweated out.

 

 

The sauna is a really good way to relax - and in a busy everyday life full of tasks, it is the ideal way to let go of all duties for a while and breathe deeply into your lungs. The heat can create a calm, and if you stay in the warmth for more than a few minutes, the sauna can be a way to find peace in a hectic routine. Look forward to a sauna visit after a cold dip if you have the opportunity.

If you are a year-round bather, it is a good idea to dip a couple of times and go to the sauna in between. That way you awaken the body by alternately giving it cold shock and heat. The perfect start to the day or weekend, we think. 

Sauna can also have a positive effect on the skin, and some people who visit the sauna regularly will experience relief from skin problems. It can be blemished and/or dry skin (here salt water is beneficial). Feel the difference in your skin and see the difference in the mirror. 

In a few rare cases the increased sweat production can worsen your skin condition. It essentially comes down to feeling what works and feels good for you.

If you have the opportunity, use a salt scrub on your skin, preferably not on the face, but on the body it can help give you the silkiest skin and reduce cellulite if used often. 

 

Can the sauna contribute to weight loss?

If you put sauna and weight loss in the same sentence, we unfortunately have to say that there is no proven effect. The reason you may see an immediate weight loss from going to the sauna is that the body has lost a lot of fluid through sweat — but you do not burn fat by sitting in the sauna.

Instead, use the sauna visit as a way to relax after a good bike ride or run. It can give a feeling of calm and well-being, which is far better to focus on than weight loss.

There can, however, be other connections between sauna and health, because the heat causes heart rate and blood pressure to rise briefly — and that can be compared to exercise for the blood vessels. So do settle in the sauna and enjoy the heat.

Be sure to use an extra-large towel so you don’t burn yourself. Nordic Hamam from NORDBAEK is 1 x 2 meter, and thus one of the largest quick-drying towels for winter bathers. 

Swim & smile, 

Ida & Barbara

 

 

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