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Going to the sauna often can be the easiest and best thing you do for your health. Here's why.

6 Things that happen when you frequent the sauna | Pulse Uganda

Martha Kemigisha

A sauna or steam bath is a fun way of getting healthy without moving a muscle. It is <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/lifestyle/beauty-health/6-tips-to-enjoy-rest-when-struggling-to-slow-down/hys1060">relaxing</a> and according to research, can stimulate weight loss.

Let us look at the benefits of going to the sauna often.

<h3>You release heavy metals from the body</h3>

The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21057782/">sauna acts as a detoxifier</a> by making you sweat out metals like mercury, copper, zinc, and nickel that <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-nutrition-red-flags-to-spot-in-packed-foods-dietitians/rw7f9kc">you absorb through food</a>. If you don't work out or stay indoors a lot, the sauna can aid your body to flush out toxins.

Your total weight includes up to 5 pounds of water weight. When you are managing your weight, it can take you a week to lose this water weight if you're on a restricted diet and working out. The sauna easily achieves this by inducing heavy sweating, and within two days you can drop a few pounds.

A sauna is extremely relaxing, not only for the mind but also for the body. Body Inflammation, high oxygen levels, and stress hormones go down when you spend time in the sauna. It also reduces symptoms of further <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-amazing-benefits-of-taking-chamomile-tea-at-night/9v1k9eh">inflammation from allergies</a> and weight gain, among others.

<h3>Your muscles recover quickly and thrive</h3>

A number of professional athletes rely on the sauna for muscle recovery after intense workouts or performances. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4592767/">One study confirms that spending time in the sauna can be better than resting at home for muscle recovery</a>. Instead of resting, the sauna boosts their function and reduces friction which can lead to sensory impairment.

The sauna can stimulate the production of vasodilator nitric oxide which improves respiratory function and breathing capacity. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16877041/">This study</a> found that runners who use the sauna improve their running time (stamina and endurance) by 32 percent.

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25614882/">Hitting the sauna can be similar to hitting the gym</a>. After a few hours in the bath, your stress levels reduce, inflammation goes down and toxins leave your body. Your metabolism then runs at a higher rate which can keep weight in check.&nbsp;

It can also <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/lifestyle/beauty-health/tips-on-how-to-handle-cravings-when-trying-to-lose-weight/k1zkfpx">improve mental and emotional health</a> through relaxation, and increased heart rate just like a workout stimulates endorphins during exercise. It can lead to better sleep, skin quality,&nbsp;improved immunity, and improved blood circulation.

Of course, the sauna isn't a magic pill for weight loss. But it can <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-surprising-ways-the-body-sabotages-your-weight-loss/jvg34vg">boost other regimens and routines for better results</a>!

References for this article

Alexandra Dusenberry, MS, RDN

Charushila Biswas, MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist

6 Things that happen when you frequent the sauna

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