Women, if you’re health-conscious, then you’ve probably heard about different ways to lose weight, gain muscle mass, and increase your stamina. Some of the ideas might sound fairly outlandish. Maybe you have a friend who swears by acupuncture, or hypnosis. Sauna use, though, isn’t a fad. It’s been around practically forever. Its benefits are many, and it’s so easy now to own either an infrared sauna or the outdoor variety in your own home. A far infrared sauna can get you looking and feeling your best, and here are some of the reasons why.

Workout Recovery And Blood Pressure

If you like to work out hard, then you probably look better for it, but the recovery isn’t so fun. The sauna can help with that. The heat from the infrared variety penetrates the neuromuscular system, which makes the muscles more pliable. It loosens up the joints so that you’re not so creaky after arm or leg day. Also, sitting in the sauna for 30 minutes after your workout increases the body’s natural levels of HGH, human growth hormone. This helps our bodies gain muscle and burn fat.

Sauna use is also good for the blood pressure. Many Americans experience high blood pressure at some point in their lives, either from a hereditary source or because of their lifestyle, mostly related to their food and exercise choices. If you use a sauna, your average systolic number (the top one) and diastolic number (the bottom one) are going to be lower. In other words, you’ll be more mellow. Long-term blood pressure benefits are therefore likely if you keep using your sauna regularly. The reason for this is because sauna heat makes the blood vessels dilate, which causes a faster, better-timed flow. Just remember to discuss with your doctor before you start using a sauna if you have a heart-related condition, or if your blood pressure is already high.

You can easily see how regular sessions in your home sauna can be of use to you, especially if you’re trying to take the best care of yourself. It’s one thing to blast your quads and shred your abs in the gym, but you also need to take the time to slow down and relax afterward. Your sauna time can help you do that. So block off a half hour away from the rest of the family, lay back, concentrate on your breathing, and clear your mind. You deserve some “me time.” The world will be fine without you for a while.