SISU Lifestyle believes that everyone should have access to the tools they need to have a healthy lifestyle based on wellness and community. And that’s exactly what we do: provide high-quality, handcrafted personal saunas, so you, your friends, and your family can maximize the health benefits of sauna therapy.
If you’re looking to get started, check out this complete guide to the health benefits of a sauna, and when you’re ready to take the next step, browse our saunas today and become part of the SISU lifestyle.
If you are wondering “Do saunas have health benefits?”, then the answer is a resounding yes.
Scientific research has shown that regular sauna use can have tremendous benefits on your physical and mental health.
Whether you’re using a dry sauna, infrared sauna, or steam bathing, studies have indicated that sauna use could have a whole host of positive impacts on your overall wellbeing.
Even if you aren’t looking at sauna bathing specifically as a way to improve your physical or mental health, there are still plenty of health benefits of saunas to explore.
Studies have indicated that steam rooms can help stimulate your metabolism, thus facilitating weight loss. Learn more about sauna benefits for weight loss.
Temperature changes in the body can trigger an immune response, which leads to higher white blood cell counts and a more active immune system overall. Learn more about sauna benefits for the immune system.
When exposed to the high temperatures of a sauna, your skin responds in several ways. First, the heat causes your blood vessels to expand, which increases blood flow and delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout your skin that can help repair damage caused by acne. Additionally, sweat leads to detoxification, removing the toxins that can damage your skin.
As mentioned above, the heat from a sauna causes your blood vessels to expand and your body to sweat, helping to remove toxins and heavy metals your body has taken in over time. Learn more about sauna benefits for detoxing.
Inflammation is how the body defends itself against disease, infection, or injury. However, too much inflammation can lead to problems with the body. The heat from a sauna helps to soothe symptoms of inflammation, and can lead to an overall reduction in inflamed tissue throughout your body. Learn more about sauna benefits for inflammation.
The relaxing benefits of sauna therapy have been proven to help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. While there are many health benefits to sauna therapy, some of the biggest impacts you may see are the ones on your mental health. Learn more about sauna benefits for stress.
Even if you aren’t an athlete regularly putting strain on your joints and muscles, saunas can still have tremendous health benefits for muscle and joint relief.
Using the sauna after a workout can help speed up your recovery time and get you back to training on your schedule, not your body’s. The increased blood flow and enhanced muscle recovery attributed to sauna bathing are factors that lead to stronger post-workout recovery times. Learn more about sauna benefits after a workout.
While the health benefits of sauna therapy don’t include a cure-all solution for back pain, heat therapy in a steam room, Finnish bath, or other sauna have proven to reduce the symptoms of lower back pain in multiple different studies. Learn more about sauna benefits for back pain.
Increased blood flow throughout the body triggered by the heat from sauna therapy leads to less inflammation throughout your muscles, which means the sore, tender feeling in your muscles from a hard workout or just a regular day’s activities can be lessened thanks to the benefits of sauna therapy.
Whether you are battling chronic pain from an injury or illness, dealing with painful muscle recovery after a particularly difficult workout, or you just woke up with some extra pain and soreness that wasn’t there before, one of the many health benefits of sauna therapy includes pain relief, thanks to increased blood flow and higher white blood cell counts.
Just as a sauna can help with sore muscles and inflammation, heat therapy has also been proven to reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.
If you struggle with cardiovascular health, or you’re looking to improve your overall circulation, saunas are a great place to start. Sauna therapy has been proven to contribute to many positive outcomes for heart health.
Due to the increased blood flow from the heat of a steam bath, one of the many health benefits of sauna therapy also includes improving circulation and overall heart health. However, it is important to understand your body’s limits when exposing it to heat therapy, and consult your doctor if you have a preexisting heart condition.
Since the sauna increases a person’s heart rate, the heat from a sauna helps mobilize fat molecules throughout the body and burns them off as energy, which contributes to lowering the overall cholesterol in a person’s body. Learn more about sauna benefits for cholesterol.
Improved circulation, stronger heart health, and increased sweating all contribute to lowering your body’s blood pressure while sauna bathing. Sweating out the excess sodium from your body and dilating your blood vessels due to the heat from a steam room are all factors that lead to this wonderful health benefit of sauna therapy. Learn more about sauna benefits for blood pressure.
Between a morning energy boost or an evening relaxation, saunas have a variety of positive impacts on a person’s mental health, from reducing stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms to even reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
The sauna and steam bathing experience releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which contribute to stress relief, and relief from the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Learn more about sauna benefits for stress relief.
With the calming, relaxing effects of sauna therapy, alongside other health benefits of sauna therapy such as muscle relaxation and easing inflammation and chronic pain symptoms, your overall sleep experience may improve, too. Learn more about sauna benefits for sleep.
Heat therapy influences the body’s production and release of endorphins, which help lower our “fight-or-flight” response that is often associated with anxiety. Spending a bit of time in a sauna after a long day, or if you’re feeling particularly anxious, can help settle your body and relax your mind. Learn more about sauna benefits for anxiety.
Due to the many cardiovascular health benefits of sauna therapy, sauna bathing is also associated with a longer lifespan. A little time in a sauna can go a long way for lengthening your life and maximizing your wellness potential.
Poor vascular health plays a significant role in the development of brain conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease, since a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier is a major contributor to these conditions. Saunas help improve overall cardiovascular health and promote the dilation of blood vessels, which helps relieve restricted blood flow and promote better brain and memory health. Learn more about sauna benefits for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
With sauna therapy, you can breathe a little easier and look forward to these wonderful benefits of steam bathing that improve your lung function.
Bronchitis is characterized by an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. One of the many health benefits of sauna therapy includes a significant reduction in inflammation, and that includes for bronchitis. The heat from a steam bath helps open up the airways and sinuses, making it easier to breathe and reducing the pain and discomfort associated with inflammation. Learn more about sauna benefits for bronchitis.
As stated above, the heat from a sauna can contribute to opening airways and relieving sinus pressure that often accompanies cold and flu symptoms. Other cold and flu symptoms, such as inflammation and cough, can be relieved by the warmth from a steam bath as well.
With the health benefits of sauna therapy, pneumonia patients may experience improved lung function due to inflammation reduction, lower blood pressure, and improved sinus functioning. Learn more about sauna benefits for pneumonia.
If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you might find that some time in a sauna room improves your lung functionality. The heat and humidity can help open up your airways, as well as stimulate the production of white blood cells, which triggers an immune system response from your body. Learn more about sauna benefits for COPD.
At SISU, we offer a simple way to bring sauna therapy to your daily lifestyle.
Authentic Craftsmanship: Made in Ohio through Finn American and Amish craftsmanship, we offer superior quality and timeless tradition.
Premium Cedar Material: Features soft-to-touch cedar that naturally repels moisture and allergens, offering a more aromatic, durable, and comfortable environment than other woods like pine.
Temperature Control: Easily adjust your sauna temperature from 110 degree F - 230 degree F directly from your mobile app, tailoring to your health and relaxation needs.
Hassle-Free Durability: Enjoy a no-maintenance design with a long lifespan, making your sauna a reliable, cost-effective investment in wellness.
Browse from a range of saunas perfect for personal use or larger group sessions:
The Eddy Barrel Sauna: 6' x 4', room for up to 2 people
The Charlie Cabin Sauna: 6' x 4.5', room for 2-4 people
The Crew Cabin Sauna: 6' x 7', room for up to 6 people
The Edwin Barrel Sauna: 6' x 7', room for 6-8 people
Saunas are generally safe for most individuals, regardless of age. However, if you have an underlying health condition, you should consult your doctor before using a sauna. And, regardless of prior health conditions, you should always start slow, listen to your body, and understand your limits.
According to Dr. Amy Zack, a family medicine provider, one of the biggest risks of using a sauna is dehydration, so it is important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated before, during, and after spending time in a sauna. Additionally, you should not consume alcohol while in a sauna, and it is best practice to consult your primary care provider if you are over 65, under 16, pregnant or trying to become pregnant, have an underlying health condition, are taking medication, or have concerns about male infertility.
While the health benefits of sauna therapy are plentiful, you should also be aware of certain side effects, particularly dehydration, headaches, low blood pressure, or even burns and respiratory irritation. It is important to understand your own limits, and never spend too much time in a sauna. Most of these side effects can be reduced or eliminated entirely simply by managing your time well in saunas, and learning what is appropriate for your own body with time and practice.
There is no right or wrong time to use your sauna, and it largely depends on what benefits you’re most excited about. If you are looking to boost your energy, for example, then a sauna in the morning might be right for you. Or, if you would prefer to relax and improve your sleep, a sauna in the evening may be better. You can also use it throughout the day after a workout or as needed. The possibilities are endless.
To maximize your health benefits from sauna therapy, your sauna should be at a temperature between 150 degrees fahrenheit and 175 degrees fahrenheit. However, it is always recommended to start on the cooler side of things and work your way up to hotter temperatures and longer durations.
While it is best practice to listen to your body’s signals and never stay in a sauna for too long, it is generally recommended to start around five to ten minutes if you’re a beginner. Regular sauna users may spend around 15-20 minutes in the sauna, though if you begin to feel dizzy or otherwise uncomfortable, shorter times may be best. Learn what sauna duration is best for you and your goals.
For most people in good health, using a sauna every day is perfectly fine. However, staying hydrated and paying attention to your body’s signals becomes crucial the more frequently you use your sauna.
This varies depending on your goals and overall health. Some individuals may enjoy steam bathing in their sauna every day, while others may find it best to use on occasion. If you’re a beginner, start slow and work your way up to a practice and routine that suits you best.
Dry sauna experiences can improve cardiovascular health and musculoskeletal health, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and reducing symptoms of chronic pain or muscle soreness. Dry saunas can also offer many mental health benefits, including reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms.
Infrared saunas offer a gentler, calmer heat experience that may be best suited for those intending to use their sauna for longer, relaxing sauna sessions. A traditional Finnish sauna provides more heat and steam, which can result in more health benefits such as detoxification, opened sinuses and airways, improved cardiovascular health, and more. However, those sessions tend to be shorter in nature and are more intense than an infrared sauna. For traditional saunas that can be used as both dry and wet, shop SISU saunas today.
