The profound impact of sauna on our mental well-being
At the present time, each of us feels many difficult emotions that can significantly affect our well-being, causing anxiety and fear. How to take care of our psyche in this difficult time and how to protect ourselves from serious disorders? Can a sauna directly remedy the deepening of the state of depression, or even protect us from depression or help us fight it?
Hyperthermia: what is it?
A proven way to improve your mood is hyperthermia, i.e. heat treatment. Today, sauna is one of the most researched and best developed thermotherapy treatments. This type of treatment is especially recommended for people diagnosed with depressive disorders and suffering from seasonal low mood. Sauna therapy by relaxing the body promotes mental relaxation and is an effective way to support depressive disorders or at least a way to relieve the blues for a while. The increased temperature in the sauna causes the body to work at high speed. Metabolism and circulation are accelerated, muscles and joints are relaxed.
How does our brain convert heat into happiness?
The antidepressant effect of saunas can be confirmed by many studies. Among other things, research conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that sauna treatments have a beneficial effect on the well-being of people diagnosed with depression. During a hot sauna session, the adrenal glands are stimulated, which are directly responsible for the production of happiness hormones, including serotonin. They improve our mood and can help reduce stress levels. Their role is not only limited to putting us in a good mood, they have an impact on the work of the circulatory system and the secretion of other hormones affecting our mood.
Sauna Can Also Combat Anxiety
In addition to putting you in a good mood, the sauna eliminates the occurrence of unnecessary tension. The stress hormone, cortisol, has a direct impact here. Its level decreases significantly after exposure to heat, protecting the stomach and duodenum from the development of ulcers. Relaxation of the body and increased sweating in the sauna also reduces anxiety, in this case the sauna can be useful in the treatment of neuroses.
Other compounds that affect our mood after sauna are beta-endorphins. These substances naturally reduce the level of pain, both physical and emotional. Several independent studies have confirmed that stress caused by intense heat causes a significant increase in beta-endorphins in the body.
The BDNF protein produced by the brain is another factor that acts directly on our mood, it is considered a natural antidepressant. Studies have shown that regular sauna exposure increases BNDF levels, which can also reduce degenerative changes in gray matter and potentially reduce the rate of brain aging.
The tension accumulated inside, if it does not find an outlet, can contribute to the development of sleep problems and the development of various psychosomatic diseases. Regular sauna treatment affects our physical condition as well as our psyche. It helps to regenerate muscles and remove tension resulting from long-term stress. The latest scientific research shows that sauna has a very strong and profound effect on our mental well-being.
Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1017928https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16871826