Ice baths and cold plunges may have become a permanent fixture in celebrity Instagram photo dumps and wellness roundups, but saunas and heat therapy haven’t been forgotten. In fact, they seem to have re-entered the detox discourse.
Using the restorative properties of heat for health is certainly nothing recent. Finnish saunas, hot springs, and Moroccan hammams have been sought after for centuries, while contemporary iterations like hot yoga and sweat therapy have become global favourites. The traditional sauna, however, has seen a recent rise in popularity, with numbers in the UK doubling in the last two years.
Quick searches for “sauna benefits” on TikTok and Instagram reveal that it does seem like everyone is letting off steam in the hot box. Though the UAE is in no shortage of high temperatures, the ‘heat for health’ trend has also made its way to the region, with many health clubs and spas now including infrared therapy and sauna services.
“Currently, there is a huge trend in the healthcare industry for therapies that increase longevity,” explains Asma Hilal Lootah, the Emirati founder behind The Hundred Wellness Centre, Dubai. “The leading causes of mortality in high income countries are heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer, which are all diseases of ageing that result from the accumulation of damage to our proteins, cells and tissues due to oxidative stress. But far infrared sauna use has been shown at the cellular level to reduce oxidative damage, and in one study to restore cell viability in damaged cells.”
Sweat for Serenity
One of the key benefits of heat therapy is, of course, improved blood circulation. High temperatures cause blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow, essential for cardiovascular health. Other advantages extend to include better post-gym recovery, improved muscle reparation, and relief from arthritis.
Saunas and heat therapy are also excellent for mental wellbeing, and…
