If you want to get the best out of your sauna time for your sleep therapy needs, start by going to the sauna before bed. Ideally, step in for a sauna session 15 minutes prior to bedtime. This will raise your body temperature to the right degree range for promoting muscle relaxation and sleep-inducing response.
A sauna before bed can be beneficial for relaxation and may contribute to better sleep for some individuals. The heat-induced muscle relaxation and subsequent cooling down mimic the body's natural sleep cycle. Experiment with sauna use before bedtime and observe how it impacts your sleep quality and overall well-being.
The "Rule of 200" in a sauna is a fundamental principle that combines temperature (measured in degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidity (measured as a percentage) to achieve an optimal sauna environment. According to this rule, the sum of the sauna's temperature and the relative humidity should not exceed 200.
Sauna detox is a natural and effective way to eliminate toxins from your body. It involves sitting in a sauna for a period of time, usually between 10-20 minutes, while your body sweats out harmful substances.
Based on scientific literature, a credible sauna protocol for sleep improvement is a 20-minute sauna session at 176 degrees Fahrenheit, 1-2 hours before bed.
The effects of the sauna on cortisol and thyroid hormones are mixed, and the sauna does not seem to affect testosterone levels. However, animal research shows the sauna does improve insulin sensitivity, which is essential for body composition as well as muscle growth.
Additionally, unwanted waste products are removed from the body when you sweat. Various studies have proven the effectiveness and efficiency of saunas when it comes to removing heavy metal toxins, PCBs, solvents, pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals from the body.
The short answer is that it's generally not recommended to bring your phone into a sauna. The high temperatures and humidity levels can cause damage to your phone's internal components, and the risk of overheating or even explosion is not worth the convenience of having your phone with you.
Shower Before You Enter
Not only is this hygienic—rinsing off sweat, body oils, and any cosmetics—it also preconditions your body for the heat. Don't: Use heavy soaps or fragrances before entering. The hot air intensifies smells, and you don't want to overwhelm your fellow sauna-goers with a potent scent.
Limit time spent in a sauna: Do not spend more than 20 minutes at a time in a sauna. First-time users should spend a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. As they get used to the heat, they can slowly increase the time to about 20 minutes.
In a sauna, the level of humidity should be between 5-10%, rising briefly only after water is poured over the hot stones. In a sanarium, humidity is between 40 and 55 %, whilst in a steam bath, it is generally 100%. Humidity is measured by a hygrometer.
After your body temperature rises in the sauna, it will cool off when you exit—which signals your body to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone.
Cooling off after the sauna is important because you can catch a cold if you sweat too much. Sauna-goers should leave enough time to cool down before warming up again. If you can, don't have a shower straight after the sauna. It's better for the body if you cool off in the fresh air first.
Because you sweat during your session and toxins are released, having a shower after your sauna will help to cleanse the skin and close pores. A cold shower after your sauna can also activate cold shock proteins in the body, which may help assimilate fat for weight loss.
Before entering the sauna
In fact, the only rule is that you enter the sauna with clean, showered and preferably dry skin. You can go to the swimming pool first, but it is necessary to dry well afterwards, before entering the sauna, so that the sweating effect starts earlier and is stronger.
Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin-and may even benefit patients with psoriasis-sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis.
While the optimal duration may vary depending on individual factors and sauna types, a general guideline of 15-30 minutes per session, 2-4 times per week, is a good starting point.
Another study found that sauna exposure created breathing improvements in patients with asthma or chronic bronchitis. Other studies showed that frequent sauna use was associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia.
Even a modest increase in temperature by two to four degrees, whether from a hot shower or other factors, can negatively impact both sperm and testosterone production. Elevated temperatures can lead to overheating of the testicles, resulting in a decline in sperm count and motility.
In fact, a long-term, comprehensive study published in 2015 followed 2,315 Finnish men over 20 years and found that increased sauna use (4 to 7 times weekly) decreased both all-cause mortality and sudden cardiovascular death by a staggering 40% and 48% respectively compared to 1 time per week use.
Sauna bath brings about numerous acute changes in hormone levels, partly akin to other stressful situations, partly specific for sauna. Norepinephrine increases in those accustomed to sauna bath. Sweating increases the production of antidiuretic hormone, and the renin–angiotensin system becomes activated.