The Sauna - My Happy Place
Have you ever tried sitting in a sauna?
I used to hate saunas when I was younger (or at least that’s what I told myself). I went in one a couple of times at the local YMCA growing up, and maybe once at a hotel – but I remember feeling like I couldn’t breathe in there.
Man, how times have changed.
Now, the sauna is where I go when I need to slow down and just breathe. It’s become one of the few things I do consistently that has genuinely changed my life for the better. I love it for so many reasons – but I’ll share just a few of my favorites with you. 😊
The Health Benefits of Sauna Time
Do you know how beneficial saunas are for our health? The list is honestly endless!
A few of the major benefits include:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Better sleep
Improved cardiovascular health (and lower risk of heart disease)
Muscle and joint recovery
Increased circulation and lower blood pressure
Reduced inflammation
Clearer skin
Boosted mood
Relief for respiratory issues like asthma or COPD
Stronger immune system
And that’s just scratching the surface.
How the Sauna Changed My Health
For me personally, the sauna has made a massive difference in my stress levels and ability to relax. I go at least three times a week and usually stay for about 20 minutes. That seems to be my sweet spot – long enough to feel amazing but not overdo it.
The sauna I use is a dry sauna that gets to around 160°F. I work out at the local YMCA three times a week, and the sauna is my post-workout reward. But even on days when I skip my workout because I’m run down, I’ll still drive into town just to get my sauna session in. THAT’S how much I love (and need) it.
Fewer Colds, Stronger Immunity
Another thing I’ve noticed from regular sauna use – I hardly ever get sick anymore! And if I do, it’s short-lived and much milder than it used to be. If I start to feel something coming on, I add in a few extra sauna sessions and make a big batch of my homemade tea (I’ll be sharing that recipe in an upcoming post 😉)
Saunas naturally raise your body temperature and create a mild, fever-like state that triggers your immune system to produce more white blood cells. Those white blood cells help your body fight off viruses and bacteria.
Funny story – my husband once got routine blood work done right after a sauna session (yes, he’s hooked now too because of me 😂), and his white blood cell counts – specifically his lymphocytes, neutrophils, and basophils – were slightly elevated. His doctor mentioned it, so I did some digging… and those are exactly the types of white blood cells that increase after sauna use!
Saunas are also a great detoxifier because they help us sweat out all the toxins from our bodies which in turn then helps to prevent sickness as well.
My Warm, Quiet Reset
Lastly (and maybe most importantly) I’m someone who is always cold. When I get cold, I tense up. I hate that feeling.
The sauna melts all that away. It warms me up, loosens my body, and honestly forces me to just… let go.
I let go of the hard day I had at work.
I let go of how I snapped at my kids that morning.
I let go of the random thing someone said that stung more than it should have.
When I sit there in the heat, everything quiets down. My mind, my body, my breathing — it all slows. It is such a great feeling to just melt into that bench and just breathe. It brings me back to center and calms me in ways I didn’t know were missing.
It’s my happy place.
So, if you’ve never tried the sauna – or if you’ve tried it before and decided it wasn’t for you – maybe this is your sign to give it another chance.
It might just change your life the way it’s changed mine. ❤️