For many people, the sauna is a relaxing escape from life’s daily stresses. But why do some people sweat more than others in the same conditions?
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) explains that part of the reason is that different people have different levels of “perspiration ability”.
In this article, we’ll get into the other common reasons and what you can do to change that.
Reasons Why You Do Not Sweat in the Sauna
1. Low Blood Flow
Your body regulates the amount of blood flowing through it. The amount of blood flowing in your body is called body fluids or electrolytes.
The average amount of blood flowing in your body during one hour is called the blood flow rate. The higher the blood flow rate, the more you will sweat. And you’ll still not sweat if the blood flow rate goes too low.
For example, hyperosmolarity occurs when there’s not enough sodium and water in your body. If your blood flow speed lowers to a point where water and sodium can not move together, you’ll not sweat.
A good way to improve this condition or state is to take electrolyte supplements prior to getting into the sauna, especially magnesium and potassium.
2. Your Body Does Not Need To Sweat
If your body has an insufficient level of electrolytes, your body will not sweat. In addition, if you have too much sodium in the body or if you have a low blood flow rate, these conditions will also result in not sweating.
Although it’s rare for people to sweat at a low blood flow rate, you can prevent this by taking supplements such as magnesium and potassium before getting into the sauna.
3. Blood Block
Blood block occurs when the body has a high level of platelets. This condition means that there are too many platelets in the blood vessels, so the blood flow cannot move smoothly.
Blood block most commonly occurs due to taking aspirin or some other medicine. But this condition can also be caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamin A and iron.
4. Anhidrosis
Anhidrosis is a condition characterized by the inability to sweat. When this condition occurs, you’ll get goosebumps while sweating. The Hypothalamus gland plays an important role in controlling sweat, and this gland is connected to the nervous system.
If you’re sweating too much one day, your body will automatically reduce sweat production the next day to balance out the excessive sweating. But if there’s no connection between the hypothalamus gland and brain (neurological disorder), you’ll lose the ability to control sweat when it’s needed.
To overcome this condition, you can try taking vitamin A and other similar medicines. Also, make sure that you consume enough iron by consuming foods. If nothing works for you, your doctor might prescribe a medicine that can dissolve the platelets in order to improve blood flow.
Is Sweating in a Sauna Good for You and Why?
The sauna is certainly a great way to relax, but it has much more benefits than just relaxation. Sweating from hot rooms provides several benefits for your body.
A good example is that sweating in the sauna that helps people with diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
In addition, sweating in the sauna can also help improve your immune system. When you sweat, white blood cells are activated which can improve your immunity to diseases or infections. White blood cell activation can also occur when you drink alcohol or eat spicy foods.
Another benefit of sweating in the sauna is that it can help you lose weight. This benefit primarily occurs due to the large amount of water that you lose through sweating. But this loss of water can also provide other health benefits if you consume enough foods.
What Not To Do After Sweating In The Sauna?
With these tips, you should be able to sweat more in the sauna. But if you come out of the sauna feeling overheated, you should be aware of a few things.
The first is to avoid using cold water or alcohol on your skin.
The second is to avoid taking a shower for 15-30 minutes after coming out of the sauna.
A cool shower can actually cause your body temperature to go lower than it should be. And that’s why it’s recommended that you avoid showering or washing with cold water after you sweat in the sauna. It might take about half an hour for your body temperature to reach its ideal state and you will feel refreshed once this happens.
You should avoid alcohol because drinking beer or wine can also cause your body temperature to go lower than it should be. If you do drink alcohol, make sure you drink alcohol after the sauna.
You should also avoid the use of ice packs because they can cause your body temperature to go low. If you really like ice packs, you can try using a wet towel that has no ice chunks in it.
What To Do After Sweating In The Sauna?
As soon as you finish sweating in the sauna, you should follow several measures for your body to adjust to a normal state.
First of all, you should drink a small glass of water and wait until your body temperature goes back to normal.
After 30 minutes, you can take a shower or just simply wash with warm water. You can also eat some food if you feel hungry after sweating in the sauna (especially if it’s your first time sweating).
Finally, you can take a dip in the pool or Jacuzzi. This is also a great way to cool down. But before you do this, make sure that you drink enough water and that your body temperature is at normal levels before taking a plunge in the pool or Jacuzzi.
Conclusion
If you don’t sweat in the sauna, you might be missing out on great health benefits. Follow these tips and you will start sweating in the sauna like a pro. Sweating in a room that is too hot for your body is one of the best ways to have a relaxing time.
The sauna has many advantages, not only for relaxation but also for your overall health and wellness. The better your body functions, the more easily you can take on life’s challenges and enjoy life to the fullest.
