Health Benefits

Sauna bathing has long been valued as a way to relax, reset and feel restored. Modern research is now helping to explain why. Studies into traditional sauna use and passive heat therapy suggest that regular sauna bathing may support cardiovascular health, circulation, stress reduction and recovery, particularly when enjoyed as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Our wood fired sauna offers a peaceful space to experience the warmth, stillness and natural rhythm of sauna bathing, surrounded by the calm lakeside setting of Litton Lakes.

Some Detail

Supports cardiovascular wellbeing
Research on sauna bathing has linked regular use with cardiovascular benefits, including healthier blood pressure responses, improved circulation, reduced arterial stiffness and better vascular function.

Encourages relaxation and stress reduction
Sauna bathing is widely associated with relaxation and wellbeing. The research suggests that passive heat exposure may influence the autonomic nervous system, helping the body shift into a calmer, more relaxed state.

May support recovery after exercise
The 2022 physiology study looked at regular sauna bathing alongside exercise and found additional improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, systolic blood pressure and cholesterol compared with exercise alone. This makes it a useful point to expand for people using the lake, walking, swimming or training.

May benefit respiratory comfort
The broader review evidence suggests sauna bathing may support aspects of lung function, including ventilation and respiratory capacity, although this should be presented as general wellbeing support rather than treatment for respiratory illness.

Supports long term wellbeing and healthy routines
The 2024 review on passive heat therapies describes sauna bathing as a form of heat therapy with potential benefits for healthspan, especially when used regularly and safely as part of a wider healthy lifestyle.

Research and Further Reading

Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2018). Cardiovascular and other health benefits of sauna bathing: A review of the evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111 to 1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008
Laukkanen, J. A., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2024). The multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies for extending the healthspan: A comprehensive review with a focus on Finnish sauna. Temperature, 11(1), 27 to 51. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2023.2300623
Lee, E., Laukkanen, T., Kunutsor, S. K., Khan, H., Willeit, P., Zaccardi, F., & Laukkanen, J. A. (2022). The effects of regular sauna bathing in conjunction with exercise on cardiovascular function: A multi-arm randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Physiology, Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 323(3), R289 to R299. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00076.2022