6 STEAM SAUNA BENEFITS FOR YOUR HEALTH

Many people seek out steam saunas as a way to bring healthcare into their routine. And no wonder – there are a number of steam room benefits for your body. 

Studies have shown that from helping with cognitive issues, such as Alzheimer's, to healing sore muscles, your health is sure to benefit from starting a regular steam sauna routine. 

To give you a clear picture of the many advantages, here we detail 6 steam sauna benefits for your health.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDOOR SAUNAS AND STEAM SAUNAS?

Any indoor sauna (provided it utilizes an electric or wood-burning heater to create heat) can become a steam sauna. A steam sauna simply means you’ve poured water on the rocks of the heater to create steam. 

If you’re thinking of a steam room, that is usually a tiled room dedicated to water and humidity. You can actually make one in your own bathroom using a steam generator. To learn more about the similarities and differences between indoor saunas, steam saunas and steam rooms, read our article about Indoor Sauna Vs Steam Room: Pros And Cons. 

Otherwise, keep reading to learn about the six best steam sauna benefits.

STEAM SAUNA BENEFIT #1: BETTER BLOOD PRESSURE & HEART FUNCTION

One of the health benefits of sauna use is the improved function of your heart. When your body deals with high levels of heat, your heart rate speeds up. Your blood flow experiences regulation due to the increase of your heart rate.

In fact, sauna use is so good for your heart that it is even compared to exercise. For example, one scientific study completed showed that 100 people saw a decrease in blood pressure and decreased risk of hypertension due to steam sauna use.

Here are a few other steam sauna benefits for your heart health:

• Decrease in risk of cardiovascular disease

• Less artery stiffness 

• Lipid profiles experience positive changes

STEAM SAUNA BENEFIT #2: IMPROVED LUNG CAPACITY

You may wonder if your heart and lungs can actually benefit from using a steam sauna. The answer is yes – especially when you use steam! The steam from your sauna will help air circulate through your lungs, and it helps increase your lungs overall capacity.

Here is how a steam sauna will improve the health of your lungs and respiratory system:

• Help with fighting and preventing pneumonia

• Improved drainage of the lungs

• Less inflammation

• Help with fighting and preventing the common cold, flu, and other viruses

• Increase in vital capacity

• Better forced expiratory volume

• Better ventilation 

• Help with fighting and preventing upper respiratory tract infections

You will notice that after your steam sauna sessions, your lungs will feel clearer and you will have the ability to breathe deeper.

STEAM SAUNA BENEFIT #3: STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM

Another one of the indoor sauna’s health benefits is a stronger, more prepared immune system. Bacteria, viruses, and many other harmful diseases cannot function when they are exposed to high heat. And if you are already sick, when you use steam, it is possible that it can help you reduce viral shedding (according to this study here)!

This is why your sauna is ideal for combatting nasty illnesses.

Here’s how your immune system reacts to steam sauna use: 

1. Heat levels within your sauna increase, which makes your body temperature rise as well. 

2. Your body begins to believe that it has a fever. This makes your immune system prepare to combat the “illness.”

3. Your bone marrow and thymus work together to increase your white blood cell count. 

4. These supercells work together to get rid of any unwanted bacteria and infections.

According to According to Dr. Gerald Don Wootan, DO, M.Ed., your antibodies may even see an increase of up to 2,000 percent, making your sauna perfect for assistance with fighting off the common cold.

STEAM SAUNA BENEFIT  #4: DETOXING

You may also have questions about using a steam sauna to rid your body of toxins. 

Every day, your body takes in toxins. These chemicals can come from your cosmetics, foods, and other various methods. They gather in your bloodstream and fat cells. Your kidneys become responsible for dealing with the aftermath.

When your body flushes out these chemicals, the process is known as detoxification. Steam sauna sessions help with this process by aiding in the sweating process, giving your kidneys a much-needed break.

Some healthcare practitioners swear by this method, claiming that it is one of the most effective, powerful ways to heal the body.

While the research on detoxing requires further investigation, some studies have shown that your body gets rid of harmful substances, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, better by way of sweat than urine or blood. 

And we all know that steam saunas help you sweat better than any other method! If you’re looking for a small indoor sauna you can fit inside your master bathroom, we recommend the Almost Heaven Logan 1-Person Sauna. The perfect size for your space. 

STEAM SAUNA BENEFIT  #5: SKIN CARE

Another one of the health benefits of steam sauna versus hot tub, or other heated relaxation tools, is its positive effect on your skin. If you are looking for ways to work towards a refreshed, youthful glow, a sauna plus a little bit of steam is the best place to begin.

Research has shown regular steam sauna use can provide a protective effect on skin physiology in these ways:

• Lowered sebum levels

• Faster recovery of water loss

• More balance skin pH

• More stable skin barrier function 

STEAM SAUNA BENEFIT  #6: BETTER SLEEP

Your indoor steam sauna will also contribute to you enjoying a peaceful slumber nightly, by activating thermoregulation.

The body relaxes and heats up during your sauna session. Afterward, it will cool down using thermoregulation. This signals internally that it is time for bed, so your body creates melatonin, a hormone that is vital in helping you fall asleep.

You can add various accessories to your steam sauna to enhance its benefits for your sleep routine. For example, Himalayan salt relaxes the body and promotes deep, uninterrupted sleep. The Bathology Himalayan Salt Panel looks gorgeous and can help you fully relax in your steam sauna session, followed by a good night’s rest.