A couple of hours’ sauna = immunity boost

 

The cold, shorter days are tough on your mood and immunity. Luckily, there are several ways to support your immune system. Like making sure you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and schedule some well-deserved relaxation every so often.

How the winter affects your immunity

The winter is our favourite sauna season, but the chilly, dark winter days are hard on your immune system and mood. The cold temperatures and dry indoor air dry out your mucous membranes, making them less efficient. As a result, you will pick up a virus or catch a cold more easily.

There is very little sunshine, which often leads to a vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D just happens to be one of the most important vitamins for your immune system.

So, having a sauna day in the winter is a wonderful experience, particularly because it gives your immune system a real boost!

How does having a sauna affect your immunity?

Having a sauna stimulates your circulation. As your body temperature rises, your heart starts to pump faster, which speeds up the delivery of oxygen and nutrients all around your body. Also, waste products are removed more quickly. Two effects that improve your immunity.

The alternate exposure to hot and cold temperatures helps your body cope better with winter temperature changes. This is known as vascular training.

Regular sauna-goers produce more white blood cells and catch colds less easily, a science-backed fact reported in the Annals of Medicine. What’s more, having saunas also improves your cardiovascular system. Good circulation and a healthy heart help keep your body in top condition.

Aufguss sessions also work wonders for your immunity

As our sauna guest, you can take part in several sauna experiences every day for free. Our Aufguss masters lead several Aufguss, scrubbing and relaxation sessions. The Aufguss sessions are not only incredibly relaxing, they will also make you feel re-energised and they work wonders for your immunity. 

During an Aufguss session, the sauna master pours water infused with essential oil on the fire. This creates an instant rise in temperature and humidity in the sauna. He then walks around the sauna flapping a towel, wafting bursts of hot air over your body. This gives you a real adrenaline kick and a sense of pure relaxation.

Thanks to this heat, your blood vessels widen, promoting better circulation and faster delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. And it also facilitates the removal of waste products, of course. Your muscles, too, benefit from the heat and improved circulation, as a result of which they feel less tense. What’s more, the temperature difference stimulates your body to release endorphins i.e. happiness hormones that act as natural painkillers.

Unsurprisingly, the sauna also has a positive effect on your airways. Especially thanks to the essential oils that are used. Like eucalyptus and mint, both of which are known for opening your airways.

Another benefit is that an Aufguss session increases the production of white blood cells, which improves your immune system. The alternate exposure to hot and cold temperatures trains your immune system and as a result, you fall ill less easily.

One final benefit: a couple of hours in the sauna makes you feel totally relaxed and less stressed. This not only helps you fall asleep more quickly, you will also enjoy a much deeper sleep!

The perfect sauna round

The key to a successful sauna round is to build up gradually but most importantly, to listen to your body. If you follow the order in our public baths, you will automatically get it right.

Always start with a shower, repeat after every sauna session and toilet break for hygiene reasons.

You may want to start off in a steam bath first or a sauna with a lower temperature. Stay five to ten minutes in the sauna and then cool down properly. You can work your way up to the hotter saunas gradually and stay in them for longer.

One great cooldown tip: take as much time for your cooldown as you spent in the sauna. So, if you spent fifteen minutes in one of our saunas, make sure to cool down for fifteen minutes too. Drink plenty of water during your sauna day and take regular breathers. For instance, relax on one of our heated spa loungers or in the footbath, or have a gentle swim.

Ready to enjoy a sauna visit this winter?