Protecting your health can be challenging in the winter, when there are so many bugs around and it feels as though the cold weather may persist forever. Using a sauna on a regular basis can help to combat this, with many health benefits and the added bonus of knowing that you are supporting your system and nurturing your wellbeing throughout the most difficult time of the year.
Why Saunas Are Perfect for Winter Wellness
Protecting your health can be challenging in the winter, when there are so many bugs around, and it feels as though the cold weather may persist forever. Regularly using a sauna can help combat this, with many health benefits and the added bonus of knowing that you are supporting your system and nurturing your well-being throughout the most difficult time of the year.
There’s no doubt that most people feel better and experience better health when the weather is not cold and wet. However, in Ireland, we can’t guarantee good weather at any time of the year, so it is important to find ways to support our health in changeable conditions. Regular sauna practice, particularly with a sauna in your own home, can give your health and immune system a boost and give you more control over your wellbeing. Let’s take a look at how saunas can transform your approach to health and give you much needed support throughout the winter.
Saunas for Winter Wellbeing
Of course, a sauna can be used all year round, and if you have one in your home or in your garden, you will know that there can be multiple health benefits to using it all year round as part of your health and fitness routine. However, using your sauna in the winter can have added benefits, including:
- Helping to manage your body temperature. The frequent changes in temperature and climate throughout the winter months can take a toll on the body, especially if we are frequently moving from dry, heated indoor environments to the cold, damp outdoors. Saunas and cold water therapy have been shown to help with this process by enabling the body to acclimatise more effectively, protecting you against the effects of the sudden changes in temperature.
- Boosting the immune system. It can feel like the winter brings an endless stream of cold and flu bugs, but using a sauna can help to strengthen the immune system and prevent frequent illness. A sauna can help to prevent the mucus build up that is a symptom of colds and flu, and using salt in your sauna can maximise the positive effects, decreasing inflammation and helping to detoxify the body. Using salt in your sauna may also be an effective treatment if you have a condition such as hay fever, asthma or chronic lung disease, and you should discuss this with your doctor if you are keen to try it.
- Improving your mood. Did you know that relaxing in a sauna can release endorphins into the body, which improve your mood and mental wellbeing? The increase in endorphins in your system can also help to decrease stress in the system and reduce pain, which is good news for your mood and for your general wellbeing.
- Protecting your cardiovascular health. When you use a sauna, your circulation improves because your heart rate increases and the blood vessels widen. This is similar to the effect that exercise has on the body, and it can be especially helpful in the winter because it counterbalances the effect of the cold weather on our heart health. Ultimately, this can help to lower blood pressure so you can rest assured that it’s a good option for maintaining your health in the long term and protecting against cardiovascular disease.
- Detoxifying the body. Saunas are designed to induce sweating, which is an important part of the detoxification process. Some studies suggest that the quick release of toxins is potentially harmful, especially if you have a lot of toxins in your system, so it can be advised to build up gradually if you are new to saunas or to taking care of your health. However, most experts agree that regular saunas can be helpful in eliminating toxins and debris from the skin and the body.
- Pain management. If you have an underlying condition or chronic illness, you may experience a worsening of your symptoms in the winter, especially if your condition affects your muscles or joints. The improvement in circulation and the relaxed state of the body when using a sauna can help to reduce pain levels and regular saunas are often recommended for people with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and back pain.
Supporting Your Health in the Winter
When it’s cold outside, it can feel much more challenging to maintain good health and keep up your fitness routine. We recommend the following for winter wellbeing:
- Maintain your exercise regime. A good exercise regime will help to support your health all year round, but it is easy to let this slip during the winter when it is colder and darker. Finding a form of exercise you love can make all the difference, and you can also use this as an opportunity to connect with others and boost your social connections as well as your fitness. If you are new to exercising, it is a good idea to check with a medical professional before you take up a new regime.
- Look after yourself. The little ways in which you take care of yourself can be even more important in the winter months, and introducing new elements to support your health and wellbeing can transform your daily life. Good food is a great starting point, with warm, nourishing soups and vegetable based meals as a staple part of your diet in the winter. Taking regular saunas or investigating cold water therapy may be useful, or you may find that the answer is as simple as listening to your body and allowing yourself to rest when you need it.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the immune system, and it is mainly obtained from the sun. It can be difficult for people in the Northern Hemisphere to get enough Vitamin D during the winter, so a supplement is often recommended. There are many different supplements available, including sprays, liquids and tablets, and you may find that this is helpful to support your physical and mental health throughout the winter.
It can be helpful to consider in advance how to make the winter easier to manage, whether this means meal planning, beginning to take vitamin supplements or installing a sauna in your home or garden.
Discover Saunas and Garden Buildings from Gardenhouse 24
Here at Gardenhouse 24, we have an extensive range of garden rooms, summerhouses and sauna cabins that can transform your home. We also have indoor sauna cabins to make the most of the space on your property, and our expert team will be happy to help you find the best options for your home and your lifestyle. We are a distributor and retailer of premium timber products in Ireland, and we aim to offer cost effective, high quality Nordic timber products to our customers, both domestic and commercial. Our specialists design, make and sell all our products, and we also offer installation as an additional service if required.
Whether you want to add an extra bedroom to your property to accommodate an older child or an ageing relative or you dream of a peaceful garden room to escape to, we can help you to find the perfect option. We have a great range of home offices and sauna cabins so you can make your space work for you, and our design and build process will give you complete peace of mind. All of our garden buildings are made from sustainably grown timber, and we will be happy to tailor our services to suit your unique needs. Talk to our friendly team to find out more about transforming your home today!
