Adding Sauna Sessions to Your Wellness Routine

Saunas aren’t just for relaxation; they’re an excellent way to recover from daily activities. They can improve muscle recovery, help you breathe better, and aid in concentration. Together, these benefits create a wellness routine that’s enjoyable and life-changing for some. For those interested in learning about outdoor saunas, here are our recommendations for how to get the most out of your sauna sessions.

Tips For Maximizing Your Sauna Use 

Whether you commute to your local wellness center or plan to purchase a barrel sauna in Calgary, sauna sessions can provide a wealth of benefits to your wellness routine. Although sauna use may not be suitable for all health conditions, it can effectively release tension, relax muscles, and promote a healthy sweat.

To fully benefit from regular sauna sessions, consider using these tips:

Make Sure To Shower Before and After 

Saunas can leave you relaxed — but showering can make it even better. Showering before your sauna session can help stimulate blood flow to your skin. It also unclogs your pores of dirt and debris, allowing your body to sweat better. 

It also can add to the experience, giving your body more exposure to the sauna’s heat benefits. While showering beforehand prepares your skin for the sauna, showering afterward leaves you feeling refreshed and energized.

Have a Consistent, Regular Wellness Routine

One of the best ways to use saunas is to make sure you have a regular wellness routine in place. Studies from the NLM have shown that using a sauna at least twice a week can show improvements for those in high-stress occupations, such as first responders and firefighters. For those faced with chronic stressors, sauna sessions can help reduce inflammation, stress, and even help prevent the onset of cardiometabolic diseases. 

For the average person, once to twice a week can help you reap those benefits. As for how long your sessions should be, the general recommendation is 10 to 15 minutes before taking a break. How long you should be in the sauna depends on your heat tolerance, age, and any health factors you may face. For more recommendations, we recommend speaking with a health provider regarding specific concerns. 

Exfoliate Your Skin

Saunas boost blood circulation in the skin. One great way to do this is to exfoliate. Exfoliating sheds the outer layer of dead skin cells, allowing your skin to take in moisture better and leaving it feeling smoother.

Exfoliating before a sauna session enhances its skin benefits, but proceed with caution. In some cases, exfoliating your skin before sauna use can cause skin irritations, especially when treatments like chemical peels are used. If you have specific skin conditions, consult your doctor or dermatologist before using a sauna.

Stay Hydrated

Sweating in a sauna accelerates water loss, which, combined with certain heat methods, can lead to dehydration, especially for those with kidney issues. Hydrating after a sauna session can help replace any water you’ve lost. It’s recommended that after using any sauna, you should drink at least two to four glasses of water to rehydrate. 

Go Bare In The Sauna

While wearing clothes in public saunas is acceptable, some people recommend going au natural, which may improve your experience. Going nude in a sauna has been a tradition since the sauna was invented— it was highly popular for nudity in European countries like Finland, Denmark, and Norway to engage in sauna use while nude. Clothing often acts as a barrier between you and the sauna’s effects and increases sweat evaporation. Always a good idea to check with policy if you are visiting a public sauna.

Maximizing sauna exposure can enhance its benefits, but consult your health provider to ensure this approach suits your health needs.

Pay Attention To Heat Tolerance 

In colder environments like here in Calgary, people with slower metabolisms can struggle with maintaining regular body temperature. One way to improve your body’s ability to maintain body temperature is through a sauna. 

Some saunas, like barrel saunas, can help you adjust to the wide range of temperatures often experienced in colder climates. One study showed that regular post-exercise sauna use promotes heat acclimation, enhancing the health benefits of sauna sessions.

Lie Down For Heat Distribution

Many sauna experts recommend lying down inside a sauna to better distribute heat to your body. In this argument, lying down helps create a uniform area for the heat to reach, giving you a better, more relaxing experience. It’s also argued that lying down helps improve your range of motion and can reduce any pain or stiffness you may experience. 

Lying down in a sauna can be a great experience, but it’s important that you don’t consume any alcohol before entering a sauna, as it has the potential to lead to higher mortality rates.

Bring The Magic of Saunas Home With Backyard Canada

If you want to experience wellness at home with a sauna, then contact us! At Backyard Canada, we partner with numerous reputable sauna companies to provide a wide selection of products from which you can shop. From simple barrel saunas to all-in-one exclusive sauna kits, we can ensure you have the right sauna for all your needs. If you’re located in the Calgary area you can visit our location. If you are located elsewhere in Canada use our contact form for a custom sauna quote.