Let off some steam with a sauna detox for summer

Forget the baby food diet, the blood group diet and the Cabbage Soup diet, a good regular sweat can do you the world of good and help burn calories, and we don’t mean two hours on the treadmill - we’re talking 15 minutes per day in a hot wooden box.

Gerard McCarthy, sales director of Dalesauna the UK’s leading sauna supplier says “The UK spa industry is booming and more Brits than ever before are enjoying the health benefits of saunas. Yes, we all know that you lose fluid weight after a sauna session and put it back on as soon as you rehydrate, which is essential, but there are so many other hidden benefits that people aren’t aware of. If used as part of a sensible diet and exercise program sauna sessions can help you lose weight, rid your body of toxins and bacteria, keep your complexion clear and bright, and help to reduce stress”.

Some things you might not have realised about saunas….

Burn Calories: Saunas help your body to burn calories. Your sweat glands produce sweat, which requires energy, and therefore increases caloric expenditure so if you are on a weight loss mission the sauna can help you along.

Fever Effect: Saunas raise your body temperature slightly, which gives the effects of a fever. This prompts the body to fight off any viruses or bacteria that can cause illness, thus boosting your immune system.

Cardio Workout: Saunas provide a slight cardiovascular benefit in that the heat and steam require the heart to work a little more to send more blood to the capillaries.

Detox: Saunas are an effective way to rid the body of toxins that we ingest from the environment around us through sweating, such as mercury, lead, sodium, and sulphuric acid.

Stress Relief: A sauna session helps you to relax and unwind. Relieving stress can lower blood pressure, decrease headaches, and elevate you mood. This will make you more productive, and more pleasant to be around!

You can use a sauna daily or a few times a week, whatever is comfortable for you. To be beneficial, you should aim for a 15-20 minute session. Those with heart conditions should consult a physician before trying a sauna.