Improve Mental Health with a Regular Sauna Routine | Krossber Brothers
Improve Mental Health with a Regular Sauna Routine
Hundreds of research findings confirm the many physical health benefits provided by regular sauna bathing. From helping people with bronchitis and asthma breathe easier by acting as a lung decongestant, to reducing hypertension and symptoms of heart disease, sauna bathing is quickly becoming an effective and popular way to treat a wide variety of health issues.
New and exciting research regarding psychological sauna health benefits indicate that heat can improve mental health, relieve depression, and exert calming effects on people with mild to moderate anxiety. Scientists think that stimulating the skin and underlying tissues with heat activates serotonin-releasing cells in the brain. As a neurotransmitter regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and motivation, serotonin is vital to enhancing feelings of well-being and happiness.
People diagnosed with depression, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, and panic disorder often have lower than normal levels of serotonin. This is why doctors routinely prescribe treatments aimed at increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Thankfully, several studies suggest that regular sauna use can help with mental health symptoms related to:
Depression
Fatigue
Appetite Loss
Anxiety and Stress
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Studies Highlight Mental Health Benefits of Saunas
Depression and Related Symptoms
At the Kagoshima University Hospital in Japan, researchers compared patients with appetite loss, fatigue, and depression to a control group after each group underwent infrared sauna sessions. They reported that patients enjoyed astatistically significant improvement in their symptoms and found it easier to relax after several sessions. This study suggests that regular thermal therapy could be helpful for treating mildly depressed individuals.
Anxiety, Stress Relief, and Mood Enhancement
A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice involved 45 men and women visiting a sauna. Researchers measured six mood-related factors—including confusion, fatigue, vigor, anxiety, and depression—and found they improved significantly after just one sauna bathing session.
Lowering Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
A longitudinal Finnish study published in Age and Aging examined sauna health benefits for men between the ages of 42 and 60. The findings showed that men having two to three sauna sessions each week experienced dramatically fewer symptoms of dementia than those who only used a sauna once per week.
Additional Mental and Mood Benefits
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Sauna heat calms your body and your mind. Spending 20 minutes in a sauna facilitates a meditative state, giving you the time and space to organize thoughts and de-stress.
- Improved Circulation:Saunas stimulate blood flow as heat penetrates muscles. Since the brain requires a fresh supply of oxygenated blood to function at its peak, deep breathing during a session can enhance cognition.
- Better Sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to mental well-being. Research indicates that sauna therapy may induce sleep-modulating effects that help regulate the circadian cycle.
Conclusion
Always defer to your medical professional, especially for emergencies. To support your wellness program, consider integrating sauna therapy into your daily routine to naturally help with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Whether you prefer the higher temperatures of a traditional dry sauna or the gentle heat of an infrared cabin, regular sauna use is a powerful tool for a healthier mind and body.