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5 Benefits of Sauna Use You Likely Haven't Heard About

Key Takeaways

Saunas trigger stress in the body, which leads to various health benefits.
Regular sauna use is linked to increased longevity and reduced mortality rates.
Saunas enhance mental acuity and mood by increasing norepinephrine and prolactin levels.
Heat exposure improves athletic performance by enhancing cooling mechanisms and increasing blood flow.
Saunas aid in recovery by reducing oxidative stress and increasing growth hormone levels.
Saunas can be effective for pain management and muscle recovery.

24%

Reduced mortality risk with sauna use 3 times a week

40%

Reduced mortality risk with sauna use 4-7 times a week

32%

Increase in time to exhaustion for athletes using saunas

16x

Increase in growth hormone after extended sauna use

Introduction to Sauna Benefits

Saunas are stressors for the body, not just relaxation tools.
The focus is on adaptation to heat for health benefits.

Longevity

Regular sauna use is correlated with reduced mortality rates.
Using a sauna 3 times a week can lower death risk by 24%, while 4-7 times can lower it by 40%.
Saunas improve heart function and arterial pliability.

Mental Acuity and Mood

Sauna use increases norepinephrine, enhancing mental sharpness.
Prolactin levels rise, improving nerve signal transmission.
Endorphins released post-sauna contribute to improved mood.

Performance Enhancement

Heat acclimation improves the body's cooling mechanisms.
Sauna use can increase time to exhaustion by 32% in athletes.
Increased blood plasma volume and red blood cell count enhance oxygen delivery.

Recovery

Heat shock proteins reduce oxidative damage post-workout.
Saunas can inhibit muscle breakdown and promote growth hormone release.
Extended sauna sessions can significantly boost growth hormone levels.

Pain Management

Saunas help alleviate pain and promote movement.
Infrared saunas are good for warming up, while dry saunas are better for endorphin effects.

Notable Quotes

"It's not about the sweating; the sweating is like the smallest benefit."

"Saunas are all about triggering stress in the body."

"Heat shock proteins help the body repair in a cleaner fashion."