Mental & Social Health

Regarding anxiety, depression, and stress

A problem that negatively impacts the lives of millions of people during their lives is mental health issues.

Sauna bathing has numerous health benefits including the promotion of mental well-being and relaxation; however, its association with mental disorders is unknown. In this new study, frequent sauna bathing was strongly associated with a reduced risk of psychotic disorders. These new findings add to emerging evidence that frequent sauna therapy could reduce the risk of several acute and chronic health conditions.

Sauna bathing, an activity linked to relaxation and well-being, which is commonly used and readily available in Nordic countries especially, has been linked with numerous health benefits which include improvement in the pain and symptoms associated with musculoskeletal diseases, treatment of chronic headache and reduced risk of respiratory diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and mortality. Frequent sauna bathing has also been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease and reduces the symptoms of depression. Other passive heat therapies such as Waon therapy, infrared saunas, and whole-body hyperthermia have also been shown to relieve stress and improve the symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety

The increased release of endorphins and the relaxing heat and steam of the sauna’s atmosphere can be incredibly beneficial for anyone, regardless of health. But for those suffering from mental health disorders, these effects can be hugely impactful – especially combined with sauna’s ability to transport bathers away from the stresses and hassle of the outside world. 

Multiple studies have found that frequent sauna bathing can significantly improve the health of individuals with depression.. Alongside their pleasant and relaxing atmosphere, sauna baths are believed to invoke the increased release of ‘feel-good’ endorphins and hormones (including serotonin) to create an entirely natural anti-depressant. As a result, most individuals who have been involved is sauna studies report increases in mood and wellbeing after as little as one sauna session, and many make sauna bathing part of their weekly schedule.

Regarding anxiety and stress, Finnish sauna bathing has been found to significantly reduce levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone) whilst simultaneously increasing levels of endorphins (feel-good neurotransmitters). This is beneficial for anyone who wishes to relax and relieve stress, and indeed is the reason many people enjoy sauna so much. But it also means relief for the many individuals who suffer from mental health disorders influenced by cortisol, including anxiety and chronic stress. By significantly reducing the severity of the disorders, alongside decreasing the extent of many of its physical symptoms, sauna bathing can cause a dramatic increase in life quality. 

When it comes to psychosis risk, it was found in 2018 that men who sauna bathed several times a week had a 78% reduced risk of developing psychosis in later life compared to those who did not. For those at higher risk of developing this debilitating disease, for example, people with a family history of the disease, people who were exposed to toxins such as marijuana during their teen years (while the brain is still developing), and people who have experienced consistently high levels of stress and/or depression, these results are extremely reassuring. It is just one of many different studies that demonstrate how frequent sauna bathing as part of a healthy lifestyle can have a drastic effect on wellbeing in later life.

As for its pro-social aspect, it has been well-established that significant channels exist between strong social and familial relationships and happiness. The results of a global sauna survey conducted from +1-484-747-7702 found that socializing was one of the key reasons people enjoyed and perused sauna bathing. Having a place to regularly gather and bond with friends and/or family can have a huge impact on mental wellbeing and is likely one of the reasons Finnish sauna culture has survived for so many millennia.