For Finns, taking a sauna is one of the most important ways of life, as it is a place where both mind and soul rest. The sauna is the perfect place to relax after a long day at work, or at the weekend to celebrate the holidays. Some of the health benefits of a sauna seem obvious and can be experienced in your own daily life. In addition to what we know, the health benefits of sauna bathing have also been widely studied, and studies show that a high level of sauna use is associated with a reduced risk of certain diseases, among other things.

Sauna is proven to protect the heart

In 2018, the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Jyväskylä published a study showing that extensive sauna use reduces cardiovascular mortality among men and women aged 50 years and older. Cardiovascular mortality rates decreased according to the number of sauna sessions, with a mortality rate of 10.1 deaths per 1,000 person-years for those who took a sauna once a week, compared to 2.7 deaths per 1,000 person-years for those who took a sauna 4-7 times a week. Similarly, the number of minutes spent in the sauna reduced mortality, with 5.1 cardiovascular deaths per thousand person-years among those who took 45 minutes a week and 9.6 among those who took less than 15 minutes a week.

The health benefits of a sauna are similar to those of a brisk walk

Did you know that the health benefits of a sauna are similar to those of a brisk walk? In people who took part in a study by the University of Eastern Finland's Sauna and Heart Health project, heart rate increased during sauna bathing, ranging from around 120 to 150 beats per minute, which is the same as a moderate level of exercise! Heart rate variability also increased after sauna bathing, suggesting a rebalancing of the autonomic nervous system and a reduction in the body's stress state.

In addition, participants in the study also experienced a drop in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure (known as upper blood pressure) falling from around 137 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) to 130 millimetres of mercury, and diastolic blood pressure falling from around 82 millimetres of mercury to 75 millimetres of mercury. Systolic blood pressure was found to remain at a lower level with bathing up to 30 minutes after bathing. The study also measured pulse wave velocity, an indicator of vascular elasticity, which averaged 9.8 m/s before the sauna and fell to 8.6 m/s immediately after the sauna. These results shed light on the physiological mechanisms underlying the health effects of sauna.

Sauna use and the risk of certain diseases

In addition to the above, a team of researchers from the University of Eastern Finland has found a link between sauna use and the risk of certain diseases. At least the following diseases have been found to be associated with sauna use, with sauna use reducing the risk of contracting them:

• Heart diseases and sudden cardiac deaths
• Hypertension
• Alzheimer's disease and dementia
• Diseases of the respiratory system
• Lower CRP inflammatory marker levels

The health effects of the sauna in our daily lives

Some of the health benefits of the sauna are immediately visible in our daily lives. You will have noticed that, among other things, sauna softens the skin and opens up the pores, which helps to remove impurities from the skin. Sauna bathing also often gives you a momentary feeling of well-being, which is followed by a great night's sleep. In addition, the heat of the sauna releases endorphins that can provide relief from joint and muscle pain, and the relaxing effect of sauna bathing could even be described as ”soul healing”. So sauna bathing has a wide range of effects on both body and mind, which we can see for ourselves in our everyday lives!

Exercise and sauna are good for both body and mind

Several studies also show that regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle in particular promote heart health and prevent disease. Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle combined with regular sauna sessions are therefore an excellent way to look after your mind and body!

Sources:
https://www.uef.fi/fi/artikkeli/runsas-saunominen-vahentaa-seka-miesten-etta-naisten-sydan-ja-verisuonitautikuolemia
https://www.uef.fi/fi/artikkeli/syyt-saunan-terveyshyotyihin-alkavat-selvita
https://www.etlehti.fi/artikkeli/terveys/saunoa-kannattaa-jopa-joka-paiva-14-terveysfaktaa-saunomisesta