I’ve never understood saunas. Why? What makes people sit in an uncomfortably hot room?
Recently, I stumbled upon several videos and web articles about the benefits of saunas. To sum them up:
- They spur the production of heat shock proteins. These proteins help the body to naturally eliminate bad cells, such as the precursors to cancer and dementia.
- Blood pressure is reduced because so much blood has to be sent to the skin to assist in cooling.
- All cause mortality is reduced in men who regularly bathe in a sauna.
So, with only a week of experience with it, here’s my initial reaction:
- Jumping in right after a workout seems to lead to faster recovery. I feel less tired after a post-workout sauna session. This could just be in my head of course.
- I start sweating profusely. I need three towels: one to sit on, one to wipe the sweat off my body, and one to put under my feet to keep a pool of sweat from forming on the floor.
- My heart rate goes up to the same rate as if I was doing a moderate cycling workout, even when I’m sitting still in the sauna.
- I’m still thirsty after drinking 32 ounces of water during/after a sauna session.
- I feel good for the rest of the day, even if the preceding workout was very demanding.
Will I stick with it after the novelty wears off? Too early to tell. Is it going to help my long term health? I’ll probably never know because I don’t know what would happen if I never bathe in a sauna again. Do I like it so far? YES.
UPDATE #1
After two more weeks, I still like it. I haven’t skipped a day. I have to wash towels ridiculously often. And I’m going to continue using it.
UPDATE #2
After 6 months, I still use the sauna several times per week, usually right after a cycling workout. It’s part of my exercise routine.
