Steam showers differ from sauna rooms because you control the temperature and humidity, while a sauna is pre-set. However, both offer numerous health benefits. The hot environment of a sauna stimulates the body’s circulatory system, thereby helping to reduce blood pressure and heart disease. It also opens the pores and causes excessive sweating, flushing toxins from the body.
Pain Relief
Similarly to saunas, steam rooms can help alleviate pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles. The heat causes blood vessels to dilate, releasing more oxygen and nutrients to injured body areas. Aside from this, steam showers can also loosen phlegm and mucus, thus helping people with respiratory ailments. Studies have shown that steam inhalation can help with sinus congestion and provide temporary relief.
In addition, when people spend time in a steam room, they can expect their bodies to release hormones that lower their blood pressure and help them relax. However, individuals should always remember to stay hydrated while using steam rooms or showers, especially when they are new to this experience.
Improved Circulation
The intense heat of a steam bath helps your body increase blood circulation and loosens up your arteries. This results in a reduced cortisol level, a stress hormone that improves your mood. A bath in a sauna room can also help with sinus and bronchial congestion by increasing vasodilation, especially when combined with eucalyptus oil. This is especially useful during allergy season or when you have a cold because it may quickly clear up your respiratory tract. Many athletes incorporate a steam room into their workouts to warm up or as a form of post-workout recovery. It is also used to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). One study suggests that regular sauna bathing could help improve memory and slow down dementia in later life.
Detoxification
A sauna and steam room’s high heat and humidity help to flush out the body. Studies show that even a short steam session can rid the body of chemical irritants – especially heavy metals – that are difficult to eliminate with regular exercise alone. Incorporating steam into your workouts also helps to alleviate aches and pains like the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) that can occur after a hard training session. Moist heat penetrates deep into the muscles to ease soreness and relax the muscles, promoting faster recovery.
Relaxation
A steam shower can help you relax and unwind. This can reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase your immunity levels. It can also help in clearing sinus and bronchial congestion by loosening phlegm. This can be especially beneficial during allergy season or if you cough or have a cold. The wet heat also works to open and thin the mucous membranes in your lungs, which can be helpful for anyone with asthma. This can help make breathing easier, and it can also decrease the frequency of asthma attacks.
Skin Care
As steam enters the body, it expands blood vessels allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach skin cells, boosting cellular renewal and leaving skin smoother, firmer, and hydrated. This skin health benefit can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. A steam room can also help clear blackheads and acne for those with oily or acne-prone skin. However, if you have rosacea, the steam may irritate your skin and cause it to redden.
