Sauna Sessions: The New Health Craze!!

Whats a Sauna and Why are people using them?

A sauna is typically regarded as a room/space that is heated to between 70° to 100° Celsius. Traditional Finnish saunas usually use dry heat, with a relative humidity that is

 often between 10 and 20 percent. In other sauna types, the moisture content may be higher. For example, a Turkish Sauna has greater humidity levels that most other sauna types. A single sauna use can raise the temperature of a humans skin to roughly 40° Celsius. 

As the skin temperature rises, heavy sweating also occurs. The heart rate rises as the body attempts to keep cool. It is not uncommon to lose about a pint of sweat while spending a short time in a sauna. 

Many of you may be wondering where the current sauna trend in Ireland has come from recently? Any sa swimmer will of probably heard of the new and revolutionary 'Fad Saoil Sauna', found beside the 40foot and and at Sandycove, Co.Dublin.  

Fad Saoil's mission is to bring the numerous health benefits listed below and combine them with the sense of community that comes with the use of a sauna. 

Types of saunas

There are several types of sauna, based on how the room is heated.

These include: Wood burning, Electrically heated, Infrared room and Steam room.

Regardless of how a sauna is heated, or indeed the humidity level, the effects on the body are similar.

When a person sits in a sauna, their heart rate increases and blood vessels widen. This increases circulation, in a similar way to low to moderate exercise depending on the duration of sauna use.

Heart rate may increase to 100-150 beats a minute while using a sauna. With this rapid change in our how are body reacts, comes many health benefits associate with consistent sauna use:

Inflammation and Pain Reduction

Increased circulation may help reduce muscle soreness, improve joint movement, and ease arthritis pain.

Stress Reduction

As the heat in a sauna improves circulation, it may also promote relaxation. This can improve feelings of well-being.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

The reduction in stress levels when using a sauna may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular events.

One study, conducted in Finland, followed 2,315 men ages 42 to 60 over the course of 20 years. Findings suggested that people who use a sauna may have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease

Sauna use may also be associated with lower blood pressure and enhanced heart function.

Skin Benefits

A dry sauna dries the skin during use. Some people with psoriasis may find that their symptoms reduce while using a sauna.

Benefits to Asthmatics

People with asthma may find relief from some symptoms as a result of using a sauna. A sauna may help open airways, loosen phlegm, and reduce stress.

Potential evidence on the reduction of risk of Alzheimer’s

According to MedicalNewsToday: In 2016, researchers from Finland published findings of a 20-year study that linked sauna use with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The study involved 2,315 healthy men aged from 42 to 60 years.Those who used a sauna 2 to 3 times per week were 22 percent less likely to get dementia and 20 percent less likely to get Alzheimer’s than than those who did not use a sauna.

Those who used a sauna four to seven times a week were 66 percent less likely to get dementia and 65 percent less likely to get Alzheimer’s than those who used a sauna once a week.

Why not try it for yourself? 

If you are familiar with sauna use let us know how you've gotten on in the past below!