A sauna in the summer may seem counterintuitive. It may sound like a bizarre suggestion but saunas, even on a hot day, can help to cool off and cool down the body in a number of ways.
On some days, mid-July up through to early September, it can be up to 40 degrees outside in some parts of the country. Naturally, you want to find some relief from the blistering heat. So go for a sauna. The high temperatures of a sauna work to adjust the body’s perception of heat and temperature, in a single session. How this works is simple.
When the body’s put under high temperatures, it’s under what’s called heat stress. This creates reactions in the body, several of them in fact. After you come out of a sauna, you may think of it as being plunged right back into heat but guess what actually happens? Suddenly that hot summer heat doesn’t feel so overwhelming. This is because the body’s already adjusted to a higher temperature. The heat stress in a sauna produces several positive results, this just being one. You could actually end up feeling colder, in addition to being less stressed. You’ll feel utterly refreshed!
Though we usually associate weakened immune systems with winter, a boost in summer’s a welcomed experience. Combine a sauna with ice right after and this give the immune system a jolt. A plunge into a chilled pool or even just rubbing ice on your skin can be enough to get benefits. The immune system reaction comes from the fact that the body core temperatures increases by 1.5 degrees when you go through a sauna. This stimulates the immune system in a very natural way to fight and kill pathogens, without the use of any antibiotics, medications, or anything else.
What else is a sauna in summer going to do? Saunas are very beneficial to skin. For beach lovers, getting out the swimsuit may put focus on other things but we still deep down know we want beauty in our face as well. Saunas stimulate blood flow in a way summer heat can’t. This moves more nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, nourishing them and allowing them to renew quicker. Multiple studies have confirmed that saunas used in this way can slow down aging skin processes. For many vacationers in summer, they use saunas to prepare them for their adventures.
In time what you’ll find is that a sauna prepares the body for summer in a way other elements cannot. It gets you used to high temperatures and heat, and fine-tunes your body’s systems in response. So when you're met with heat outside of the sauna, your body’s able to cool more effectively. In a way, you’re training your body to work efficiently regardless of the stress of summer’s heat.
Unless you are dealing with a pregnancy, at an advanced age, have cardiovascular disease, or have a circulatory disorder, a sauna in summer can work wonders at helping your body gain strength, efficiency, and comfortability. Only 10-15 minutes is needed. See the sauna benefits yourself! Let the summer heat be no match! If you have doubts as to whether a sauna is right for you, consult with your physician.