How to improve your health easily – take a sauna!
Do you think that sitting inside a very small room in temperaturs of 80 degrees celcius (176 F) is uncomfortable and a waste of time?
The evidence is strong that similar to moderate exercise, regular sauna bathing has strong benefits for your health. In a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension (Zacardi et al. junio 2017)of data related to 2,300 middle-aged men followed for 24 years in Finland, found that men who used the sauna more than once per week had less risk of hypertension (high blood pressure). As a result these men had a lower risk of cardiovascular illnesses such as heart attack and stroke. In Finland it´s difficult to find people who never use saunas, hence the control group used the sauna once per week.
Reduced risk of developing dementia has also been associated with regular sauna usage. What is not so clear from the Finland studies is whether the reduced risks are associated with a relaxed lifestyle that allows one to use the sauna so frequently, or whether it is the effect of the regular sauna usage that reduces the risk.
What is a sauna?
There are different types of saunas. The saunas typically used in Finland where the studies were conducted, are dry saunas. The health effects were not associated with humid saunas, hot tubs or thermal baths. In these dry saunas, usually made of timber, a small amount of water may be added to hot rocks periodically but the air is generally dry.
The sauna is a cabin where the body is heated and cooled repetatively in an environment of 70-110 C. To cool the body, a cold swim or shower is used.
Sauna etiquette
Bathing in a sauna is a social activity in Finland, the majority of houses have one and they can be found in many public places. It is important to know how to use the sauna so as not to offend other users. Here are some basic guidelines:
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- Avoid having strong discussions or talking loudly in the sauna, it is a place for relaxing
- You can bade nude with persons of the same sex in public saunas or with the opposite sex in private family saunas
- It´s a good idea to wash prior to entering and take a towel to sit on
- Small amounts of water can be added to teh rocks every 10 minutes or so
- One can heat and cool oneself as frequently as desired, which is usually around 10-15 minutes each time
- Finish the sauna with a dip in a cold pool or a cool or tepid shower
- Don´t mix alcohol and saunas. It is. however, a good idea to drink 1-2 glasses of water before and again after using the sauna
- Avoid eating a large meal prior to using the sauna
If you have a serious illness or low blood pressure, consult your doctor prior to using a sauna for the first time
Where can you find a sauna in Chile?
In Santiago and most major cities you can find health clubs with services that include saunas, often in combination with gymansium, jacuzzi, spa and masssage. Some ski centres have saunas, such as Corralco in the Araucania región of the central-south of Chile. Surrounding holiday centres and apartments may also have saunas, for example, mountain holiday cabins near Corralco ski centre