Should You Head to the Sauna When Feeling Sick?

Navigating whether to step into a sauna when feeling under the weather can be tricky. Many of us wonder if the warmth of a sauna can aid in recovery from common ailments. Today, we’re focusing on the implications of using a “sauna when sick” to help you make an informed choice.

Let’s look into how a sauna affects the body during illness, and discuss when it might be beneficial or potentially harmful.

Understanding Sauna Use When You’re Ill

Before deciding if it’s a good idea to use a sauna when sick, let’s dive into how sauna heat impacts your body.

How Does a Sauna Affect the Body?

• Boosts Circulation: Sauna heat increases your heart rate, similar to mild exercise.
• Promotes Sweating: This process helps eliminate toxins, which might be beneficial during a cold.

Possible Benefits of Using a Sauna When Sick

• Alleviates Congestion: The steam can loosen mucus, potentially relieving nasal and sinus congestion.
• Reduces Stress: Heat from the sauna can relax muscles and alleviate stress, which might help your body recover.

When to Avoid Saunas

Using a “sauna when sick” isn’t always advisable. Let’s examine the risks and identify symptoms that should keep you out of the sauna.

Risks of Sauna Use While Ill

• Can Cause Dehydration: Saunas intensify dehydration, especially if you’re already losing fluids from illness symptoms.
• May Overburden the Heart: The strain from increased heart rate can be risky if you’re weakened by sickness.

Symptoms That Say ‘Stay Out’

• High Fever: If your body temperature is elevated, a sauna can raise it further, which is dangerous.
• Serious Conditions: Avoid the sauna with illnesses like pneumonia or intense respiratory distress.

Safe Sauna Practices If You Choose to Go

If you’re considering a sauna while experiencing mild symptoms, follow these safety tips to minimize risks:

How to Use a Sauna Safely When Sick

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna session.
• Limit Your Time: A short 10-15 minute session in a not-too-hot sauna can be enough.

Watch Your Body’s Signals

• Observe Reactions: If you feel dizzy or unwell, leave the sauna immediately.
• Start Cool: Begin with lower temperatures and see how you manage before trying more heat.

Alternatives to Sauna When Sick

If a sauna doesn’t seem right, consider other ways to relieve your symptoms without the risks associated with high heat.

Gentle Remedies

• Warm Baths: These can provide similar benefits to a sauna, like easing congestion and muscle relaxation, without the intense heat.
• Steam Inhalation: Safe and effective, inhaling steam from a hot bowl of water can help clear up congestion.

Tips for a hot hot to keep your sauna.

Conclusion: To Sauna or Not When Sick?

Choosing to use a sauna when sick should be approached with caution. While there are benefits to using a “sauna when sick,” such as reduced congestion and stress relief, the risks can outweigh the benefits, especially if symptoms are severe. Always consider your current health state and symptoms before deciding.

More about the health impacts of sauna use from the NIH.

Before making any health decisions like using a sauna when sick, especially if you have severe symptoms or chronic conditions, it’s wise to consult with a physician. This ensures that your choice is safe and suitable for your specific health needs.