Cold Sweat

By Kelsey Lindsey

Confession: Sometimes I trek through inches of snow and cutting winds for the sole purpose of going to the gym. Before you roll your eyes and use this paper to check your latest trashcan free-throw game, I’ll reiterate: Sometimes I walk the .5 miles in the Colorado winter to go to the gym … and sit in the sauna. Without access to a hot tub, or even a hot shower when my plumbing’s acting up, this is the closest thing to visions of hot sand and sunrays that get me through these unrelenting winter months.

Do I feel guilty making a trip to the gym and bypassing the weights and ellipticals with sauna-focused horse blinders? Perhaps. Should I? Maybe not. There are actually health benefits to this whole trap-yourself-in- a-wooden-box-and-choke-on-dry-air thing. So don’t feel guilty if you participate in the same behavior — feel accomplished. After all, it’s (sorta) science.

Sweat lodges have been around for thousands of years, and is a ritual of sorts in Finland, with 99 percent of Fins taking to the sauna at least once a week. Although saunas’ health benefits and risks aren’t universally agreed on in the medical community, it’s widely recognized as a good way to relax for those without heart issues.

For those in the “it’s not good for you” camp, saunas have been used to relieve joint pain and asthma. The heat helps increase heart rate, improving cardiovascular function. Others will tout the added release of toxins through sweat, which build up in the body from unnatural additives in food and in the air.

A typical round in the sauna can also produce the same amount of sweat as a workout, although you should be careful not to compare the two (dang!). Rather, many professionals will recommend the sauna after cooling down from a workout to help increase flexibility while stretching out muscles.

After some time in the sauna — not to exceed 15– 20 min by most health professionals’ suggestions — be sure to take it easy and cool down to prevent dizziness. Drink lots of water to make up for all that sweat loss, and (although this should be a given) do not drink alcohol or smoke marijuana before your session. Both your body and your sauna buddies will thank you for not defiling the space with Jack Daniel’s-scented body odor.