February 1, 2022
It’s pretty amazing how things fall into place. I have been working with a dietician as part of a health program called Move Fully Nourished. Part of this program is having weekly calls with my coach and working to form healthy habits, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. A few weeks ago we spent a lot of time speaking about ways that I could set aside time to focus on my mental health. She suggested hydrotherapy might be a good option for me and went on to give me some home remedy ways to incorporate hydrotherapy into my weekly routine. As soon as I got off the call, I thought to myself, “Wow, I didn’t even mention the sauna we just got for our home. I wonder if that falls under hydrotherapy.” Cmon Jess! When you think of hydrotherapy, a sauna is the number one form of hydrotherapy out there! Needless to say, the stars aligned. But it did make me curious what exactly the benefits were to using a sauna and so I decided to do some research.
When a person sits in a sauna, their heart rate increases, and blood vessels widen. This increases circulation similar to the way low to moderate exercise can. Here are some of the benefits of using a sauna:
- Pain Relief – Increased circulation can help reduce muscle soreness, improve joint movement, and ease arthritis pain. Since the blood vessels relax and dilate in a sauna, blood flow increases and the experience can help tension in the joints and relieve sore muscles.
- Reduce Stress Levels – This is the main reason I use the sauna. Juggling multiple jobs, a 2 year old, a husband, and managing a home is extremely stressful and can be a lot at times. As the heat in a sauna improves circulation, it may also promote relaxation. When I use the sauna, I don’t bring my phone, my ipad, nothing. I sit there for 30 minutes with nothing but my thoughts and you wouldn’t believe the immediate relief I feel.
- Improving Cardiovascular Health – The reduction in stress can be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular events. There have been a number of studies done that have showed that repeated sauna use has lowered the number of cardiac deaths.
- Improves Skin – Some people with psoriasis have found that their symptoms reduce while using a sauna.
- Benefits with Asthma – Saunas can help open airways, loosen phlegm, and reduce stress, which can help those who suffer with asthma.
I just started my journey with using a sauna as a form of hydrotherapy and so far, I feel like it’s really helping my mental health. I feel like the more I use it and have it become part of my regular routine, I will start to see and feel some of these other benefits as well.
Jessie Schu 