Sometimes it can be challenging to find a post-workout activity that benefits you. Some people like to stretch while other people want to cool down and grab a smoothie.

Various post-workout activities can help you and your body, for example, using a sauna after your workout has many advantages. In fact, some gyms offer a sauna in their facilities at no extra charge or fee. While other gyms might not have a sauna included in their packages, however using one may be to your benefit. But what are the advantages of using a sauna after a workout?

Here are the top nine benefits of using a sauna as a post-workout activity:

1. It will make you feel fantastic  

If you need a little relaxation after your workout, you should use a sauna. Due to the heat, your muscles will be able to relax and loosen from your workout. Moreover, the heat will increase the body’s skin temperature which will help heal the body’s aches and pains. In fact, due to the heat lactic acid cells will be eliminated from the muscles which will aid in a faster recovery. Using a sauna not only allows your muscles to recovery but you’ll feel good too. Since heat naturally promotes feel-good endorphins in the body, you’ll feel happy while using the sauna. Therefore, a sauna can make you both physically and mentally feel fantastic.

2. Eliminates metabolic waste  

It’s commonly known that most people don’t sweat as much as they should. By not sweating regularly or intensely a person is leaving toxic minerals inside the body to wreak havoc on bodily systems. If you use a sauna, you’ll find that you’ll sweat profusely. The sweat you produce will be rich in minerals due to the increase in sweating the sauna causes. Minerals such as nickel, mercury, and copper can be toxic to your body, and therefore, they need to be sweated out.

3. Improves endurance

Using a sauna after a workout can improve your performance at your next workout. Due to the heat, saunas can increase blood capacity which can boost endurance in sports performances. However, it may take several treatments before you see a difference in your performance. If you want to increase your endurance in fitness, there are various options you can choose from in addition to using a sauna as a post-workout activity. For example, you can choose hybrid exercises, eat meals rich in carbohydrates, and switch up your routines.

4. Relieves stress

Not only does using a sauna have physical benefits, but it can also reduce stress. Most people who work out find exercising to have stress-relieving benefits. However, some people might find it tough to transfer over to busy life so fast. Some people need a little more time to themselves.  Unlike when you work out, there’s no noises machines or loud and obnoxious people in a sauna. When you use a sauna, you’ll be at ease with your mind and your body. Therefore, you’ll be able to reflect on events and situations that made you tense or stressed throughout the day.

5. Restores skin

A person who has used a sauna before has probably noticed the soft texture of their skin afterward. The texture of skin changes due to the intense sweating caused by the heat of the sauna. When a person sweats, dead skin cells are removed which increases the natural phase of skin. In fact, even bacteria are chased out of the skin by the heat. Also, if you use the sauna, you may have a good complexion. Unlike other quick fixes, saunas can help clear your acne. Due to the heat, saunas can help flush out toxins and clean pores. Therefore, a sauna can restore skin to its naturally soft and clean state.

6. Enhances heart health

The heat of the sauna will test your heart muscles. In fact, it’s likely your heart rate will steadily increase to 120-140 beats per minute. When you exit the sauna, your heart rate is probably going to drop below the resting heart rate. The fluctuating rates will increase your heart muscles and your cardiovascular regulatory system. Therefore, by using a sauna, you’ll improve your heart muscles strength.

7. Burns calories

While saunas aren’t usually used for their calorie-burning benefits, they do allow you to burn calories through sweating. Saunas typically burn calories that are obtained from fat and carbohydrates.  However, you should only expect to see average weight loss if you are using a sauna as your only weight loss source. Since saunas burn calories through sweating it can take some time before weight loss is seen. Although, if you eat a well-balanced diet and maintain a daily exercise routine in addition to using a sauna you should see results in weeks.

8. Helps you sleep

Saunas can help you sleep at night if you’ve used a sauna before you’ve probably noticed a difference in your sleeping habits. In fact, saunas can make you sleep longer as well as spend more time in REM sleep if you work out in the evening you’re more likely to experience these effects since the fluctuating heart rate can calm your body internally. Additionally, the hot steam from the sauna can relax your mind and soothe you too. Therefore, using the sauna in the evening can benefit your sleeping pattern and possibly improve it.

9. Help you socialize

Sometimes talking to people in a gym setting can be a little intimidating at times. But in a sauna, everyone is relaxed and ready to talk all you must do is strike up a conversation. Who knows he or she might be your new best friend? Socializing at a sauna can be good not only for you mentally but also physically. If you become friendly with another person, they’re more likely to spot you or let you work with them since they know who you are. Therefore, saunas can be a great place to chat and meet people who go to the same gym as you.

Grabbing a smoothie might sound fun but now doesn’t a sauna sound even better?