After sitting for a whole day, do your shoulders and neck feel as stiff as a board? Juggling childcare and overtime work nonstop, are you so tired that you can barely lift your arms? Many people turn to saunas to "recharge," but to truly enjoy relaxation without mistakes, you need to master its "know-how" – it’s not just about "sweating"; safety details matter more.
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I. Sauna Is More Than Just "Heat" – These 3 Benefits Really Come to the Rescue
1. Rapid Relief for Stiff Shoulders and Neck
The high-temperature environment dilates blood vessels throughout the body, speeding up blood flow. The tightness that builds up in your shoulders, neck, and lower back from prolonged sitting gradually fades away with sweat. After working overtime once, I spent 15 minutes in a sauna – my neck, which was too stiff to turn, could suddenly bend easily. It worked better than 30 minutes of massage.
2. A "Deep Clean" for Your Skin
When you sweat heavily, oil on the skin surface, dust in pores, and dead skin cells are washed away. After a sauna, touching your face, you’ll clearly feel it’s smooth and soft (not rough). Later, when applying toner and moisturizer, they absorb more quickly – it’s more thorough than just washing your face with a cleanser.
3. Quietly Boosting Vascular Elasticity
In the sauna, blood vessels expand; after stepping out, they slowly contract. This repeated "expansion and contraction" is like a "light workout" for your blood vessels. Stick to 1-2 sessions a week, and you’ll notice less cold hands and feet in winter. Even occasional joint soreness can be relieved a little.
II. Don’t Cross These "Safety Red Lines" – Wrong Sauna Use Harms Your Body
Who Should Never Take a Sauna? High Temperatures Pose "Hidden Risks"
People with high blood pressure, low blood pressure, myocardial infarction, or cervical spondylosis should avoid saunas. High temperatures may cause sudden spikes or drops in blood pressure and insufficient blood flow to the brain, leading to dizziness or even fainting. Those with chronic illnesses like diabetes or endocrine disorders should also skip it, as it may increase the body’s burden. Pregnant women, frail elderly people, and children must avoid saunas too – they’re prone to dehydration or loss of body temperature control.
Don’t Overdo It – Neither in Duration nor Frequency
On good days, 2 sessions a week are enough, and each session should not exceed 15 minutes. Once, someone forced themselves to stay for 25 minutes – their heart was racing, they struggled to breathe, and they had to hold the wall to walk out before feeling better. If you feel a flushed face and rapid breathing during the sauna, don’t tough it out – step out immediately and sit for a while.
Hydrate "Before + After" – Don’t Wait Until You’re Thirsty
Drink a cup of warm water (about 200ml) 10 minutes before the sauna to "pre-hydrate" your body. After the sauna, don’t move right away – sit down and drink another cup of warm water. You can also drink a small amount of light salt water or sports drinks to replenish electrolytes. Never drink iced drinks, as they may irritate your stomach. Additionally, don’t apply moisturizing oil before the sauna – it will clog pores, trapping sweat and making you feel stuffy.
2 Things to Avoid After a Sauna – Otherwise, It’s a Waste and You’ll Suffer
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Don’t take a shower immediately: Right after a sauna, most blood is concentrated in the skin and muscles, leaving less blood flowing to the internal organs and brain. Taking a cold or hot shower at this time can easily cause dizziness and chest tightness. It’s recommended to wait 15 minutes – until your body temperature drops and blood pressure stabilizes – before showering.
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Don’t blow cold air on yourself immediately: Your pores are still open. Blowing directly on yourself with air conditioning or a fan allows cold air to seep into your body through the pores. You may catch a cold the next day, and your joints may feel sore easily.
