However, a single session should be no longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Healthy people who are acclimated to using a sauna already may be able to extend this to 30 minutes, but no longer than that.
The sauna/steam room should be used “2-3 times a week for no more than 10-20 minutes at a time,” Jay says. Some individuals like to opt for intervals. “You can do 15 to 20 minutes inside the room, take a 5 minute break outside the room, and then go back inside, repeating this for 3-4 cycles.”
There are different estimates as to how many calories you can burn in a sauna, with some being as high as 300 calories in 30 minutes and others with estimates as low as 25 calories in the same time period. Let's be clear in saying that your body is burning calories all the time.
Experts seem to recommend that most people do not stay in a steam room for any longer than 12 to 20 minutes.
And finally, steam rooms are proven to rejuvenate your skin. As the steam opens your pores it allows toxins and waste products to be flushed out whilst deep cleansing your skin.
The heat of a steam room can make the body release endorphins. They are known as 'feel good' hormones because they help reduce stress in the body. Relaxing in a steam room can also decrease cortisol levels, which is a hormone the body releases in response to stress.
Although a steam room may assist you in temporarily shedding some water weight, it is not an effective way to lose fat or maintain permanent weight loss.
Steam Sauna: Steam saunas combine heat with high humidity, which can make them feel hotter than they actually are. For this reason, it is advisable to start with shorter sessions of 10-15 minutes and gradually increase the duration up to 20 minutes per session, 2-3 times per week8.
If you stay in a sauna for too long, you may experience dehydration and heat exhaustion, resulting in dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In several cases, spending too long in a sauna can also lead to a heat stroke, which is potentially fatal if not treated immediately.
Saunas, with their dry heat, are renowned for improving circulation, promoting detoxification through sweat, and inducing muscle relaxation. On the other hand, steam rooms excel in respiratory benefits, providing relief for conditions like asthma and sinus congestion due to the moist, steam-filled air.
One of the most common questions we get asked is, "Can I sauna every day?" The short answer is yes, it can be safe for most people to sauna daily. However, it's important to keep a few things in mind, like how long you stay in and any health conditions you might have.
And they often rush to the shower right after stepping out of the steam room. This is the most unhealthy practice as your body needs at least 10-15 minutes to naturally cool off.
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. Take slow deep breaths once outside, to fill up on oxygen. Then go and wash the sweat off your body in the shower.
Saunas, with their dry heat, and steam rooms, with their moist heat, both ramp up your sweat game, helping to remove heavy metals, alcohol, nicotine, and any other unwanted substances from your body. Science backs this up, too.
Most experts recommend that you should only stay in a steam room for 15 to 20 minutes at most. However, depending on your tolerance to heat and how hydrated you are, it will likely not be unhealthy for you to spend more time in a steam room without experiencing any adverse effects.
But, if you're reading online about using an infrared sauna for liver detox, you're probably reading a quite misleading explanation of what is truly happening. A sauna doesn't detox the liver directly - instead, it helps detoxification processes become more optimal by removing toxins from the equation!
One study found it's common to lose around 1% of your body weight after a 30-minute sauna session. But how much you sweat out depends on several factors, including: How hot and humid the sauna is.
Expert Insights on Steam Rooms and Lung Function
Respiratory therapists and pulmonologists agree that the moist heat of a steam room can aid in loosening phlegm, therefore assisting in the clearance of airways in individuals with chronic respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or sinusitis.
Steam to reduce inflammation
Steam therapy has a potentially beneficial effect on muscular and cellular inflammation through a hormonal response. By reaching deep into the cells, anti-inflammatory response can help reduce stress and boost your immune response.
You Sweat A Lot.
This process helps flush toxins from your body, which can tax your system. You might feel quite exhausted afterward, depending on how much you sweat during your session.
When you sit in a sauna, the heat causes your blood vessels to dilate. This dilation increases blood flow, which can help transport lymph throughout the body more effectively. Additionally, the sweating induced by the sauna can help flush toxins out of the body, potentially reducing the load on the lymphatic system.
You might crave something salty post sauna session because you lost a good amount of sodium via sweating. Although tempting, don't reach for a bag of chips. Instead opt for foods that are nutrient dense like leafy greens, nuts, bananas or fruits high in water like pineapple or watermelon.