Flourish Health & Wellbeing Magazine May 25 - Flipbook - Page 44
The Science Behind the Heat:
Sauna Health Benefits
The rise in sauna popularity isn’t just about
aesthe琀椀cs or socialising—it’s also fuelled by
growing scien琀椀昀椀c evidence suppor琀椀ng its
many health bene昀椀ts. Researchers around the
world are 昀椀nding compelling reasons to make
saunas part of a regular wellness rou琀椀ne.
1. Cardiovascular Health
Regular sauna use may be linked to a reduced
risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and
improved circula琀椀on. A 15-year study from the
University of Eastern Finland found that those
who used a sauna 4–7 琀椀mes per week had a
62% lower risk of stroke compared to those
who only used one once a week.
2. Mental Health and Stress Relief
Sauna bathing may reduce stress, improve
mood, and even help with symptoms of
depression and anxiety. A 2018 Mayo Clinic
review showed that frequent sauna users
had lower rates of demen琀椀a and Alzheimer’s
disease, likely due to the improved blood 昀氀ow
to the brain.
3. Detoxification and Immune Support
Swea琀椀ng in a sauna may help the body eliminate
toxins, support liver func琀椀on, and strengthen the
immune system. With cold plunges becoming
an integral part of the sauna experience, many
are also experiencing the bene昀椀ts of contrast
therapy, which has been shown to boost
immunity and enhance recovery.
4. Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery
Athletes and 昀椀tness enthusiasts are
increasingly incorpora琀椀ng sauna sessions
into their recovery rou琀椀nes. Heat exposure
may help reduce muscle soreness, improve
昀氀exibility, and speed up healing from injuries,
making it a go-to therapy for both professional
and amateur athletes.
Sauna Innovation:
New Designs &
Experiences
Modern saunas are far from
the tradi琀椀onal log cabins of the
past. Architects and wellness
entrepreneurs are pushing
the boundaries of design and
experience, crea琀椀ng saunas that
blend tradi琀椀on with technology,
nature, and entertainment.
Floating Saunas & Outdoor
Wellness Spaces
Scandinavian countries have led
the charge with 昀氀oa琀椀ng saunas,
allowing visitors to enjoy stunning
natural views while swea琀椀ng it out.
In Liverpool, the newly launched
Wyld Sauna o昀昀ers a 昀氀oa琀椀ng
experience in the city’s docks, while
Australia’s Floa琀椀ng Sauna Lake
Derby has become a major wellness
tourism a琀琀rac琀椀on.
Sauna Meets Entertainment: The
Rise of “Saunatainment”
Saunas are no longer just about
swea琀椀ng—they’re about experiences.
Across Europe, sauna concerts,
storytelling sessions, and deep
listening events are taking place in hot
rooms. Oslo’s SALT sauna even hosts
over 700 events per year, including
live DJ sets, theatre performances, and
wellness workshops.
Meanwhile, Japan’s sauna boom
is being driven by manga culture,
in昀氀uencer marke琀椀ng, and television
shows. The concept of “totonou”—a
deep medita琀椀ve state achieved
through sauna bathing—is inspiring a
whole new genera琀椀on of enthusiasts.
