Recently, saunas are experiencing a new surge in popularity, especially amongst health-conscious individuals in North America. Because of this, 2023 is looking more and more like the year to get a home sauna.

What’s the reason for their resurgence in popularity?

First, more and more studies about the health benefits associated with regular sauna use are coming to the surface. The data is amazing, and we’ll dive into some of it today.

In the past, saunas were often only found in health centers, hotels, or other public locations. While a public sauna is a luxurious amenity, especially following a workout, it’s not nearly as convenient, nor as private, as having a home sauna.

Which brings us to the second point – home saunas have made great strides in design, efficiency, style, and affordability.

The majority of models are designed to be assembled in less than 4 hours and can last decades, providing a lifetime of benefits for you and your family. You may have seen the popular barrel sauna around – this particular shape is charming, efficient to heat up, and looks great in almost any setting. Various brands offer barrel-style saunas, with different wood types, colors, and sizes, so you can find one that fits your specific space.

In today’s article, we’re going to talk about how traditional saunas work, their health benefits, and how to use a home sauna to feel your best.

How Do Traditional Home Saunas Work?

“Traditional” saunas are small rooms made of wood that contain an electric or wood-burning stove inside with sauna rocks on top. The rocks are heated by the stove, heating the space up to around 150 - 195°F. When you sit inside the sauna, your body heats up and you sweat. This is known as hyperthermia (or high-heat therapy), which has a wealth of health benefits for your mind and body, which we talk about below.

Traditional saunas also give you the ability to pour water over the stones, which creates a burst of steam. This steam provides additional health benefits for the skin and respiratory system.

You may also see “infrared home saunas.” These are also small rooms made of wood. What’s different about infrared saunas is they use carbon and ceramic heaters to emit infrared heat waves. Unlike traditional saunas, the air in the sauna structure is not heated  – only the person sitting directly in the line of the infrared heat waves will be heated. Because of this, infrared saunas generally operate at a lower temperature than traditional saunas, between 120 and 150°F. This also means you also cannot pour water on the heaters to make steam.

Infrared saunas are a great choice if you are heat sensitive! And for the most part, the health benefits of infrared saunas and traditional saunas are the same.

Health Benefits of Home Saunas

Below are the most well-researched benefits of regular sauna use.  

1)    Cardiovascular Benefits: Good for Your Heart & Blood Pressure

Studies have shown regular sauna use can improve the ability of your blood vessels to contract and expand with pressure changes. This means better blood pressure, decreased risk of heart attack and hypertension, and increased longevity.

An added bonus? If you’re injured and can’t – or shouldn’t – exercise, you can sit in a sauna and experience similar cardiovascular benefits as if you have exercised. Research has shown that a 25-minute sauna session produced similar effects on the heart as a short round of exercise on a stationary bike.

2)    Muscle & Joint Benefits: Soothing Aches & Pains

Sauna sessions are most well-known for helping you soothe your muscles following a workout.  When you use a sauna after working out, the heat increases blood flow going through your muscle tissues, discouraging post-workout aches and pains.

And when it comes to arthritis, studies have shown sauna use is particularly helpful. By increasing blood circulation and the heat to relax muscles, inflammation can be decreased, resulting in less stiffness and pain.

3)    Fantastic for Skin & Stress

As sweat passes through your skin’s epidermis, it takes with it dead skin cells and residual heavy metals. Regularly sweating it out in a sauna will provide a clearer complexion and a healthier glow.

In addition, using a sauna can release beta-endorphins, which are part of the body’s “feel good” system. This can help relieve stress and anxiety, which not only has amazing benefits for your mental health but your physical health as well.

Regular Sauna Use is Important

It’s notable that many of these studies were based on people using the sauna regularly, approximately 2-3 times per week or 3-7 times. This means maximum benefits don’t come from occasional use, but by making it a habit.  

This is where having a home sauna can be particularly convenient, and why 2023 may be THE year to get yourself a home sauna.  

How to Find a Home Sauna for 2023

If you have your eye on better health, less stress and clearer skin, then consider bringing a sauna into your life in 2023.

We recommend stopping by My Sauna World. Whether you want a traditional sauna or an infrared sauna, we have one of the best selections of home sauna brands.

Plus, every month we offer a special save where you can save thousands on a sauna you adore. If you don’t know where you start, we have a great blog with all the info you need as well as buying guides and other helpful resources, like our Start Here page, which breaks down the different types of saunas, heaters, and more.

We have high-quality, gorgeous saunas that will fit any budget and space, and our small, friendly team loves working with our customers to find the best one for them.