The Life-Giving Benefits of Saunas
Sweat the Years Away
Colder weather is hard on our bodies for many reasons. The air dries and cracks our skin, freezing temperatures cause old injuries to flare up and joints to ache, and the conditions just make it plain hard to exercise. What’s a fair-weather bird to do? Head to the sauna! If you haven’t already adopted the regimen, you are missing out. Sauna use has been popular in Finland for thousands of years, and there are compelling reasons why. Not only are there many bodily benefits, but science is telling us it may also protect the mind. We’ve known for a long time that saunas can help with blood circulation, stress relief, and cardiovascular health. Traditional saunas use heat to get your blood flowing and promote circulation, and the sweating that goes on during a sauna experience is said to release toxins from your body. It’s a rejuvenating ritual that releases stress along with endorphins. Now, the health journal Age and Ageing has found evidence linking sauna use to a lowered risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Men aged 42–60 who participated in frequent sauna bathing sessions were found to have lowered rates of dementia and
Alzheimer’s. If feeling good and warming you up weren’t enough, a healthy mind is a great reason to sauna. And while the simplicity of the traditional sauna is part of what makes it great, some facilities have added a modern twist: infrared rays. Infrared saunas are already hot in New York City and Los Angeles and are starting to pop up everywhere else. Especially if you have trouble dealing with the heat of a typical sauna (average sauna temperatures are kept around 212 degrees Fahrenheit), this latest trend is for you. The average temperature for an infrared sauna is 150 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a more tolerable experience. One New York studio boasts of infrared’s ability to stimulate collagen production, an added anti-aging benefit. Need another bonus? Infrared saunas are said to release up to 20 percent more toxins from the body than traditional saunas. Whichever type of sauna you decide to visit, the potential health benefits speak for themselves. If you don’t get to escape to Miami or Cancun this winter (and even if you do), it’s a relaxing way to warm up and ease winter ailments. Treat your body and yourself to a sauna experience!
It’s that time of year to be thinking about the holidays and Christmas shopping. We feel very fortunate to participate as a drop off location for Toys for Tots again this year. Please consider helping children in our community by donating an unwrapped new toy by December 10th
“Amanda has been my miracle worker. After my ankle replacement surgery, all activities using my ankle were difficult and painful. With Amanda’s sweet nagging and therapy, I am now able to walk without limping, climb stairs, and even play golf. Three months of hard work have paid off.”
–Sue Coltman
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