As this exceptionally brutal Minnesota winter drags on this
week and seems to be never ending, I have taken to using my gym’s steam
room. Ahhhhhh . . . I love the
opportunity to warm up and relax in there. And as I feel what intuitively must
be positive health effects for my body, I started to wonder what the actual
known benefits are of steaming things up. So I did a little searching and this
is why you should join me in the steam room.
Increased Blood Flow
in the Body
It increases blood flow, which can; alleviate stiff joints,
relax sore muscles, and sooth pain. In a research article in the Journal of
Physiological Anthropology they found that steam baths can be effective in aiding
with muscle recovery1. So get
in there after a tough workout or if you have a stiff neck/back after a long
day at the office.
They Have Stood the
Test of Time – This is No Health Fad!
Steam baths have been around for thousands of years. Most
major cultures around the world have used some form of steam baths throughout
time - the ancient Greeks and Romans, Mayans, Japanese and Islamic cultures
just to name a few. The oldest found sweat ritual structure was Celtic and
dates back to 1500 B.C.
Many indigenous cultures have acknowledged the sacred
benefits of it for years. An example
close to home would be that of many Native American tribes and their sweat
lodges. They say doing a traditional
sweat can be used to cleanse the spirit, heal and mediate and release negative
emotions.
Glowing Skin,
improved respiratory health and more . . .
There are plenty of other health benefit claims for steam
baths that haven’t been looked at in research yet such as; aids weight loss, improves
skin as it opens up pores and moisturizes it, improves respiratory health, and fights off colds
But don’t take my word for it, get in the nearest steam bath
and do your own research on the benefits of using a steam room. At the least you will warm up and relax. What’s
there to lose? Trust me, it feels
ahhhhhh- mazing!
1 Lee, S., Ishibashi, S., Shimomura, Y., &
Katsuura, T. (2012). Physiological
functions of the effects of the different bathing method on recovery from local
muscle fatigue. Journal of Physiology Anthropology, 16; 31:26.
