When we think of saunas, our minds often think of a reprieve from the cold and rainy months to warmth and relaxation. However, saunas are not just for the colder months. In fact, engaging in regular sauna sessions during the summer can be incredibly beneficial for your whole-body health. Here at Root, we encourage regular sauna use year round.
Heat Acclimation:
If you are spending 15-20 minutes in the sauna and then cooling down in an icy shower or bath, then the hot summer days outside aren't going to feel as hot as they did prior to the sauna. Practicing heat acclimation with a regular sauna can help your body adapt to hotter
temperatures by training its natural response to heat stress. Are you not wanting to experience extremely hot sauna temperatures in the summer months? Try the infrared sauna, which runs at cooler temperatures, as it relies more on light therapy than heat to provide cellular health benefits.
Improved Sleep:
In the Pacific Northwest, the sun can set as late as 10:00 p.m. some nights during the summer. This can throw off the winding down time needed for a good night's sleep. Since regular sauna use promotes a restful night’s sleep, we recommend it during the summertime.
Detoxification and Cleansing:
Summer is a time when our bodies naturally release toxins through sweat due to increased physical activity and warmer temperatures. Saunas can enhance this process by promoting deeper sweating and detoxification. What’s more is when you intentionally sweat a lot in the
saunas at Root, as opposed to everyday summer life, you have the opportunity to release more toxins than usual and then shower right after. This is helpful as to prevent health issues such as acne or yeast infections, often caused by sweat and heat, while still getting the benefits of sauna. And, a shower after your sauna will also wash off any toxins you sweated out before they can be reabsorbed through your skin.
By sweating profusely in a controlled environment, you can support your body's natural detoxification processes, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Improved Circulation and Cardiovascular Health:
Sauna sessions raise your core body temperature, dilates blood vessels, and increases blood flow to the skin. This process stimulates circulation, enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to all parts of your body, including your muscles and vital organs. Improved circulation can lead to reduced inflammation, enhanced muscle recovery, and increased overall vitality.
Calorie Burning and Losing Water Weight:
The sauna causes heart rate to increase which causes the metabolism to rise, prompting the body to burn more calories.
Immune System Support:
With all the fun plans and beautiful weather, who wants a summer cold? The sauna can help boost the immune system, tricking your body into thinking you have a fever. Your body will then naturally produce more white blood cells to fight off any infection.
Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being:
While summer is often associated with vacations and relaxation, it can also be a time of increased stress due to travel, social commitments, or work pressures. We invite you to pause in a meaningful way in the cedar community sauna or even better, your own private infrared sauna. Saunas provide a sanctuary for stress relief and mental well-being. The heat and humidity of a sauna session can help relax your muscles, alleviate tension, and release endorphins—natural mood-boosting chemicals.
Skin Health and Radiance:
Summertime can take a toll on our skin, with increased sun exposure, humidity, and environmental pollutants. Sauna sessions can play a vital role in rejuvenating and enhancing your skin's health. As you sweat in a sauna, your pores open up, allowing trapped dirt, oils, and impurities to get flushed. Combined with proper hydration and skincare routines designed by our expert organic skincare estheticians, regular sauna use can result in a clearer, more vibrant complexion.
Enhanced Recovery and Muscle Relaxation:
Engaging in outdoor activities and exercise is a common summer pursuit, but it can leave your muscles fatigued and in need of recovery. Sauna sessions can aid in muscle relaxation and recovery by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and helping to flush out lactic acid build-up. Root's infrared sauna in particular delivers a gentle, penetrating heat through light that targets sore muscles and joints, on a cellular level, promoting faster recovery and improved athletic performance.
CONCLUSION
Embracing sauna sessions in the summer can be a transformative addition to your whole-body health routine. Root understands the profound benefits of saunas and provides a unique, immersive experience that supports your well-being throughout the year. From detoxification and improved circulation to stress reduction and enhanced skin health, our cedar or infrared saunas offer a myriad of benefits that contribute to your whole body health. Make the most of the summer season by incorporating saunas.