When you’re feeling under the weather, it’s tempting to try anything that might help you feel better. For many, a steamy sauna at home seems like the perfect remedy to clear congestion and soothe body aches. After all, if a sauna can ease sore muscles and help you unwind, could it also work to relieve cold or flu symptoms?
In this blog, we’ll explore whether to use a sauna when you’re feeling sick and whether it might do more good than harm.
How Saunas Affect the Body
Saunas have an intense, dry heat that raises your body temperature. When your core temperature increases, your body reacts similarly to how it would during moderate-intensity exercise. Your heart rate goes up, blood vessels expand, and circulation is improved, enabling a more efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. This warmth causes your body to sweat, releasing water and minor amounts of waste. Sweating in a sauna helps open pores and flush impurities from the skin, providing a subtle cleansing effect.
The heat can also relax tense muscles, reduce stiffness, and relieve minor aches, making saunas popular after workouts. The warm air and increased circulation can temporarily relieve respiratory congestion, loosen mucus, and ease nasal passage blockages. For many, these effects promote relaxation and help reduce stress, making sauna sessions a soothing experience.
But the question is, “Does a sauna help with a cold?” While saunas may offer some relief when dealing with a cold, they are not the solution. Having said that, let’s explore some of its advantages when you’re feeling sick.
7 Benefits of Saunas for Health When You’re Feeling Sick
Is a sauna good for a cold? While it may not be a cure, using a sauna when sick can offer several benefits, particularly for alleviating symptoms of mild cold or flu symptoms. Some of the advantages of using a sauna with a cold are the following:
1. Clears Nasal Passages
When dealing with a stuffy nose, a sauna’s warm, moist air can help clear nasal passages, providing temporary relief from congestion. The heat and humidity in saunas open up the sinuses, reducing the pressure and discomfort associated with a blocked nose. This effect can make breathing feel easier, even if for a short period, which can be a welcome reprieve when cold symptoms are intense.
2. Eases Muscle Aches
Body aches are a common symptom of many illnesses, and saunas can provide relief by relaxing tense muscles. The heat encourages blood flow to sore areas, reducing stiffness and allowing muscles to release tension.
3. Promotes Detoxification Through Sweating
Sauna sessions naturally stimulate sweating, which helps the body release minor toxins through the skin. This detoxification process can feel refreshing, giving a sense of renewal when sick. Sweating also helps regulate body temperature and support your body’s natural cleansing processes without overexerting it.
4. Relieves Stress
Being sick often leads to feeling stressed or anxious. A sauna’s calm, meditative atmosphere offers a space to relax and destress. The warm environment encourages deep breathing, which can help lower stress hormones like cortisol. When the mind is calm, the body can focus more effectively on healing.
5. Improves Circulation
Saunas improve circulation by encouraging blood flow throughout the body. As body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate, allowing for a more efficient movement of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This improved circulation supports the body’s immune response and can help speed recovery by nourishing tissues that need repair.
6. Temporary Relief for Respiratory Discomfort
In addition to nasal congestion, saunas also relieve mild respiratory symptoms. The heat can loosen mucus and improve airflow in the respiratory tract, which is helpful if you’re experiencing mild coughing or chest tightness. For some, the steam provides gentle inhalation, helping reduce irritation and soothe the airways.
7. Promotes Restful Sleep
A sauna session prepares your body and mind for a restful night’s sleep, which is key to recovery when you’re sick. The warmth and relaxation from the sauna can help you unwind, making it easier to fall and stay asleep. Quality sleep is important for the immune system to work effectively, so anything that promotes restful nights can boost the body’s natural healing process.
5 Risks of Using a Sauna When Sick
While saunas can temporarily relieve some symptoms of sickness, they also have risks that shouldn’t be overlooked:
1. Overheating and Increased Fatigue
One of the main risks of using a sauna when sick is overheating. If you have a fever, the sauna can raise your core body temperature even further, putting additional strain on your body. This can worsen fatigue and make it harder for your body to recover from the illness. The intense heat may also lead to dizziness or nausea in some cases, which can leave you feeling worse.
2. Dehydration
Saunas promote sweating, which can lead to dehydration. When you’re sick, staying hydrated is vital for recovery. Unfortunately, sauna use can exacerbate fluid loss, making symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and headaches more intense.
3. Respiratory Irritation
While saunas help clear nasal passages, they can also irritate the respiratory system, especially if you have underlying conditions like asthma or bronchitis. The heat and humidity may cause difficulty breathing or exacerbate coughing and throat irritation, making it uncomfortable or even harmful for those with respiratory illnesses.
4. Germ Transfer
Saunas are public spaces where germs can spread, especially when people are sick. The warm, moist environment encourages the growth of bacteria and viruses. If you are contagious, using a sauna increases the risk of transferring germs to others.
5. Pregnancy Considerations
Using a sauna while sick may present additional risks for pregnant women. The heat from the sauna can raise your body temperature, potentially leading to complications such as dehydration or overheating, which could affect both the mother and the baby. Consult with your doctor before using a sauna during pregnancy, especially if you’re sick.
The Bottom Line on Saunas and Sickness
Saunas can provide benefits such as muscle relaxation, improved circulation, and temporary relief from mild cold symptoms. However, if you’re wondering if you should sauna when you’re feeling sick and are not sure if it is safe, you must exercise caution. It can increase the risk of dehydration, exacerbate fatigue, or irritate respiratory conditions.
If you have decided to have a sauna session when you’re feeling sick, invest in a specialized sauna from Tubzz. Tubzz offers premium saunas in Utah, from infrared saunas to saunas that are suited for outdoor spaces.
