To Extend Your Life, Spend Time In A Sauna
Research from Finland
A longitudinal study performed in Finland published in JAMA International Medicine (linked below), following the effects of sauna use of 2,315 Finnish men from 42 to 60 years of age over a 21 year period found that the benefits of sauna therapy should not be taken lightly in a world where 80-90% of us die from lifestyle preventable chronic illnesses.
It turned out the more saunas the men took, the better their chances were for living longer.
The Finnish study found that regular sauna use was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.
Specifically, men who used a sauna two to three times per week had a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who used a sauna only once a week.
The study also found that the more often men used a sauna, the lower their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Furthermore, the men who had more than four sauna sessions per week had the lowest risk of death — 40% lower than those who went twice a week — but those who had two to three sessions still got some of the cardiovascular benefits.
I’m glad I get into the sauna regularly. Whilst previous research from Russia, Japan and Scandinavia, going back many years has already confirmed similar benefits, this certainly suggests there is a method to our madness.
And, even better, the sauna I use is a traditional Finnish sauna. Personally, I have always preferred the feeling of well-being I get following a traditional Finnish sauna over a far-infrared sauna.