Regular sauna sessions strengthen the immune system
Sauna strengthens the immune system. According to statistical surveys, more than three quarters of all adult Germans sweat in public saunas or in the cabin at home to prevent colds in this way. Several scientific studies have now been able to prove the positive effect of the sauna on our immune system.
Regular saunas activate our immune system
People who repeatedly catch colds are often advised by doctors to go to the sauna regularly. The alternating hot and cold stimuli strengthen the immune system and influence our heat regulation. This allows the body to adapt more quickly to even serious temperature differences. The summer heat is much more bearable and the winter cold snap is less of a problem for the organism. Due to the improved regulation, flu-like infections or acute bronchitis occur less frequently.
Production of white blood cells
The hot air in the sauna cabin increases the core body temperature by one to two degrees and has the same effect as a slight fever. As a result, our body increases the production of white blood cells, which effectively fight bacteria and viruses. In addition, the drastic temperature change from hot to cold stimulates blood flow in the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat. This makes it much more difficult for potential pathogens to take hold in the upper respiratory tract.
Regular sweating in the sauna
However, the immune-boosting effect does not occur after the first or second visit to the sauna. To be armed against colds, regular sweating in a hot and dry cabin is recommended. As a rule of thumb, it makes sense to take a sauna once a week for at least two to three months to effectively strengthen the body’s defenses. Each sauna session should last 10 to 15 minutes.
Going to the sauna with a cold: When is it advisable?
For the prevention of colds, sauna sessions prove to be extremely effective. What about when symptoms such as cough and cold have already appeared? Can a sauna visit ensure that the cold heals more quickly?
Taking a sauna when you have a cold, yes or no: The answer depends on what stage the illness is in. If you have a fever, headache, aching limbs, a cough and a runny nose, you should be in bed and not in a sauna cabin. The immune system is already working hard and certainly does not need any additional strong stimuli. In addition to a worsening of cold symptoms, there is a risk of circulatory collapse during sauna use.
When should I avoid sauna?
The situation is different in the case of an incipient cold. Experienced sauna users benefit greatly from the heat in the initial phase of an influenza infection. In addition to stimulating the metabolism, the increase in body temperature increases the production of white blood cells, which are an important part of the body’s defenses. In many cases, this can prevent an outbreak of the common cold. Important: Anyone who feels unwell during a sauna session should leave the cabin immediately. Newcomers who have not yet gained much experience are better off refraining from sauna visits for the entire duration of the cold.
Sweating for beauty
We sauna fans have known for a long time that a visit to the sauna is not only healthy. Those who regularly visit the sweat room also do something good for their skin. Sweating in the sauna causes a very thorough body cleansing. The uppermost horny layer of the skin swells up and horny skin cells are loosened, which are then rinsed off in the shower. Our skin feels soft and tender afterwards. In addition, the vascular training slows down the aging of the skin.
