Love it or loathe it, winter is almost upon us. Whilst saunas can of course be enjoyed all year round, here are 5 reasons to use a sauna in the winter.

1. Sauna use prepares your body for the hot and cold

A lot of us enjoy wrapping up in layers of warm clothes during the wintertime, but the transition from the cold outdoors to the cosy heated indoors can take a toll on your body and skin. Using a sauna correctly means completing full sauna cycles, which should include cold bathing. This can help to acclimatise your body for the rapid changes from hot to cold. It can also help to stop you from feeling the cold so quickly.

2. Fight off cold symptoms with a sauna

Winter is notorious for the inevitable colds and flu. But did you know that using a sauna can help you to fight the symptoms of a cold? The benefit is heightened with the addition of salt inhalation in your sauna.

Dry salt aerosols have strong absorbent properties and can help to clear your airways of mucus and dirt. They also have an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. Regular inhalations can also support the immune system.

Microsalt is especially recommended for hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis or chronic lung diseases. It is also suitable for people who frequently suffer from colds, or struggle with sinusitis, as well as for people with skin diseases, sleep disorders or depression.

3. Regular sauna use strengthens your immune system

Sauna use can not only relieve many symptoms, but it may also stop you getting symptoms altogether as it helps to boost your immune system. Sauna bathing improves the blood supply to the mucus membranes, which stop germs and dirt from entering the body. They also prevent bodily tissues from becoming dehydrated.

According to Professor Dr. med. Karl-Ludwig Resch, head of the German Institute for Health Research in Bad Elster: “Regular sauna bathing is a very good exercise for the immune system. This helps not only during the cold season but also during the pollen season.”.

Find out more about the health benefits of regular sauna use.

4. Sauna use helps to protect your skin

The winter elements can be tough on our skin. Regular, long-term sauna use can help to prevent skin deficiencies and ensure your skin receives the nutrients it needs. This has been proven in a scientific study conducted in Jena University Clinic. The barrier function of the skin was stabilised in test subjects who used the sauna regularly. Regular sauna use also helps to improve circulation, which prevents skin from drying out so quickly, regulates the fat content of the skin. Salt inhalation in a sauna can also help to cleanse and revitalise your skin.

5. Sauna bathing can help to relieve aches, pains, and stress

Whether you’re kept busy with Christmas shopping, socialising, or just struggling during the colder, darker days, sauna bathing is a great way to relieve muscle tension, back pain, and stress at the end of a busy day. A warm and soothing sauna can help you to relax, relieving symptoms of stress, which can also improve your mood.

KLAFS Saunas available from Guncast

Have you ever considered a sauna at home? All these benefits would be even more accessible with your own private sauna. Choose from a range of KLAFS saunas available from Guncast, or opt for a bespoke design to fit in with your home and lifestyle.

Contact us to find your dream sauna and start enjoying all the benefits of regular sauna use, in the comfort of your home.