Taking A Sauna Is Good For My Brain And I Can Lose Weight?

By: Dr. J. Renae Norton

I have recently rediscovered, how much I love sitting in the sauna. What I didn’t realize until I reviewed some of the research in own my book was how incredibly beneficial a sauna is for the brain. We all know it’s great for the skin, and that it is relaxing, but did you know it’s good for your brain? I didn’t!

In general, taking a sauna is good for you because it induces a controlled heat stress that mimics moderate exercise, improving cardiovascular function, reducing stress, and promoting muscle recovery. What? Sitting in the sauna is the same thing as exercise? Not 100%, but in some ways, turns out that it is.

In fact, regular sessions can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and boost overall longevity by promoting relaxation and better sleep.

I am always looking for ways of getting more and better sleep. And that seems to be an immediate effect because the first time I visited the sauna I slept better that night than I had in days. We all know how important sleep is. I have shared this with you before but recall that the sleep you get between sundown and midnight is the only time the body stops producing free radicals. What are free radicals? Those are the things that age us and cause illness.

So from sundown to midnight if you are asleep, your body stops producing free radicals. In other words you’ve stopped aging process and also prevented ill illness. Such a deal! Well, it appears that the sauna has a similar effect.

Let’s dive in a little deeper with a few of the primary health benefits of regular sauna use:

• Improved Cardiovascular Health: Saunas boost heart rate (up to 30% or more) and increase blood circulation, functioning similarly to moderate-intensity exercise. Regular use is linked to a 40% to 60% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia. Whoa!
• Reduced Stress and Relaxation: The heat promotes the release of endorphins (the body’s feel-good chemicals) and shifts the nervous system into a “rest-and-repair” (parasympathetic) state.
• Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief: The intense heat helps soothe sore muscles and reduce inflammation, making it an excellent post-workout recovery tool.
• Enhanced Immune System: Regular sauna sessions can increase the production of white blood cells, strengthening the body’s defense against illnesses like the common cold.
• Skin Health and Detoxification: Profuse sweating cleanses the skin, removing toxins, removing impurities, and potentially helping with conditions like psoriasis.
• Better Sleep Quality: The rise and subsequent cooling of body temperature help regulate and improve sleep patterns.

I don’t know about you, but I am impressed. Those are incredible benefits for doing something so easy and so relaxing. I am very fortunate to belong to a club here in greater Cincinnati that has a sauna available from 5 o’clock in the morning until 11 o’clock at night. You’ll probably never catch me there at 11 o’clock but this morning I was there at 6 AM. Would you believe there was another person there with me?

Bottom line, I highly recommend this, especially for people who have difficulty engaging in physical activity.

As always there are a few important safety tips:

• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before and after.
• Listen to your body: Limit sessions to 15–20 minutes and exit if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable.
• Consult a doctor: Those with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should consult a doctor first.

In general, use your head, start slow, maybe  5 to 10 minutes and build up to 15 slowly. If you experience the same benefits that I have after only two sessions I’m guessing you’ll be motivated to continue given what the research is telling us.

Let me know how it works out. I am Dr. J Renae Norton and Wellness is my thing. You can reach me at drnorton@eatingdisorderpro.com or call me at 513-205-6543.