Benefits of a Sauna | Chinook Hot Tubs & Saunas

Wellness Benefits of Regular Sauna Use*

Disclaimer: Saunas, either traditional or infrared are not medical devices. Any reported affects are anecdotal.*

*Chinook Hot Tubs & Saunas does not give Medical advice. Each person should contact their own doctor for information specific to them.

There are many personal reports about the health benefits of saunas. Some of the information from these reports is listed below

During a 15 - 30 minute sauna your heart rate increases by 50% - 75%. This is a heart rate that is equivalent to that of a person during a brisk walk.
There is a small effect on blood pressure because the blood vessels in the skin expand to accommodate increased blood flow. Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities.
The blood flow to the skin increases which brings more oxygen and nutrients to surface tissues.
Steam baths and saunas induce sweating which adds to the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores from the skin and flushing impurities from the body.
When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F).

Many Sauna users report that use of their saunas provide:

Revives tired and strained muscles after physical exertion
A cleansing effect of profuse perspiration that helps provide healthy skin and clear complexion

To avoid any negative health effects, the following precautions are also advised:

Avoid alcohol: Alcohol increases the risk of dehydration, hypotension, arrhythmia, and sudden death.
A year-long studies of people in Finland who experienced sudden death showed that in 1.8 percent of cases, the person had had a sauna within the last 3 hours, and in 1.7 percent of cases, they had done so in the last 24 hours. Many of these had consumed alcohol.
Limit time spent in a sauna: Do not spend more than 20 minutes at a time in a sauna. First-time users should spend a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. As they get used to the heat, they can slowly increase the time to about 20 minutes.
Drink plenty of water: Whatever type of sauna a person uses, it is important to replace the fluids lost from sweating. People should drink about two to four glasses of water after using a sauna.
Avoid sauna use if ill: People who are ill should also wait until they recover before using a sauna. Women who are pregnant or those with certain medical conditions, such as low blood pressure, should ask their doctor before sauna use.
Supervise children: Children aged 6 and above are safe to use a sauna, but should be supervised when doing so. They should spend no longer than 15 minutes in there at one time.