Sauna with cold

Sauna for cold

Summer is over, the cold season has arrived and the nose is running. The cold temperatures are so unpopular not least because they so often spread colds. Passionate sauna-goers, however, do not let this spoil their mood and swear by visiting the sweatboxes to fight and prevent colds. But is visiting the sauna at home or away from home really so harmless when you have a cold, or can the cold get much worse after the sweat session or only really break out? The fact that the sauna can have a very positive effect on our health in many ways is no longer a secret and is well known. But when it comes to sauna visits with a cold, opinions differ and there are some important tips to consider in order not to worsen one’s health situation even further – so watch out:

What the sauna does in our body

To know whether to visit the sauna when you have a cold, it makes sense to first learn about the effect of the sauna on the body. And since the whole thing is not so complicated, here is a brief summary: the surface of the skin warms up by three to ten degrees and the temperature inside the body rises by one to two degrees, which is the same as the temperature increase in a fever. So the body reacts by activating the defense cells: The blood vessels dilate, the heart rate increases by 50% and the breathing rate increases, while the muscles relax. At these temperatures, you start to sweat: After 15 minutes, the body already loses about half a liter of sweat. In the case of colds, sweating can have a positive effect on the body’s local defenses due to heat supplied from the outside and contribute to faster recovery. So at first the logical conclusion sounds: At signs of colds, nothing like off to the sauna! But caution is advised. Many experts warn that the body, which is already battered anyway, can not tolerate the intense heat. More about this later, but at this point it is already anticipated: We would rather advise you against going to the sauna when you have a cold, because why take a risk, right? But if you still don’t want to miss out on your sweat session, you should definitely follow the tips below:

Sauna as a protection against colds

Going to the sauna to give colds no chance in the first place? Here we give a clear go! Because taking a sauna trains the body’s thermoregulatory system. The alternation of heat and cold ensures that the blood vessels in the skin, as well as in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, are stimulated. The body learns to adapt to different temperatures. In this way we strengthen our immune system, prevent heat loss in cold environments and cold viruses no longer stand a chance. The sauna session does not replace a balanced diet, plenty of fluids and exercise, but it is a good supplement to keep fit, healthy and relaxed. Also many studies prove the positive effect of the sauna on our health. The scientists around the cardiologist Jari A. Laukannen, have published in the specialized magazine “Journal of the American Medical Association (Jama) Internal Medicine” e.g. a study, which proves that men, who go instead of once per week, two or three times into the Sauna, are exposed to one to 22% lower risk to suffer from a heart attack. This means that the sauna is not only a perfect addition to the wellness plan, but we are also doing something really good for our health! And what could be better than being able to promote relaxation and health at the same time?

Sauna for cold – what to consider

Tip 1: Never go to the sauna with fever

As you will notice, it is relatively controversial whether the sauna is the right thing to do when you have a cold. However, all doctors and other experts agree on one point: If you have already caught a cold or even have a fever, you should definitely not go to the sauna, but to bed! If you already have a bad cold and feel ill, then your immune system is already struggling and you should definitely rest instead of going to the sweatbox. The immune system now needs all the energy your body can muster to fight the cold viruses. In this case, the sauna can actually harm you, lead to circulatory problems and make your cold worse.

Tip 2: Sauna for the typical symptoms

Mostly it is the sore throat, runny nose and cough, which are caused by the rhinoviruses and plague us in winter. Especially in case of sore throat, which spreads slowly or already subsides, the humid air of the sauna can be very beneficial and provide relief. In addition, it is especially important for sore throats to drink plenty of fluids before and after a sauna session in order to moisten the mucous membrane of the throat and eliminate pathogens more quickly. But here, too, the rule is: if the cold has already really spread, off to bed! Whether an approaching cold can be prevented or fought in its entirety by the sauna course is controversial. The medicine portal Dr. Gumpert makes a statement, which can be filtered out probably as a kind of average opinion, which most experts would agree: “With first cold symptoms such as scratching in the throat or a dry nose can still be sauniert, gesellen themselves however colds, sore throats, cough or fever in addition, should be renounced the Saunagang, until the body recovered again.” But caution: At this point, it is not concealed that other experts maintain, an incipient cold, can strike after the Saunabesuch only so correctly! In the end, it remains a matter of personal judgment and experience whether to visit the sauna when you have a cold.

Tip 3: A mild sauna for colds

The Finnish sauna is the most traditional and by far the most popular form of sauna, but by no means the only one! If you decide that you don’t want to give up visiting the sauna when you have a cold, then you should definitely look for an alternative sauna, such as the herbal or steam sauna. This is because the Finnish sauna reaches very high temperatures, which our body, which is already weakened anyway, may not tolerate well. Mild heat and high humidity, on the other hand, boost the immune system and can help get rid of a cold faster.

Tip 4: Drink more than usual

As explained at the beginning, the body loses a lot of fluid when taking a sauna. Therefore, it is always very important to drink a lot after the sauna session. A small tip on the side: Drink only after the last sauna session, because the cells must be given the opportunity to flush out cell toxins with the available water. If you drink in between, this process does not work very well. But back to the actual topic: Especially in case of colds, the following applies: After the sauna session, the body’s water balance should be replenished, and plenty of it!

Tip 5: Enjoy the rest phase extensively

After a sauna session with a cold, it is better to avoid the cold shower and instead retreat to the rest area and let the body cool down on its own. In addition, relaxation is also an important factor when you have a cold, as stress has also been shown to weaken the immune system. During stressful periods, the immune system works less so that energy can be used elsewhere. Therefore, think of your sauna session as a rest and try to actively relax.

Tip 6: As a beginner sauna with a cold?

If you have a cold or feel a cold coming on, it is definitely not the right time for your first or second sauna visit. There are those who don’t tolerate the high temperatures very well, even when completely healthy, and should stay away from it altogether if they have a cold. So test out the sauna when you feel fit before considering entering it in a weakened state. However, if you are an avid sauna-goer and know the effects of sweating on your body, then you may be able to go in for a short sauna session even if you have an incipient cold.

Tip 7: Alternatives to sauna when you have a cold

There are actually plenty of reasons to look for alternatives to the sauna when you have a cold. Firstly, it is very controversial whether visiting the sauna actually has a positive effect on an already ailing body and secondly, you should think carefully about whether you want to expose other sauna visitors to the risk of infection. If you don’t have a sauna at home, you should avoid going to the sauna, if only out of solidarity with other sauna-goers. However, sweating when you have a cold is not bad per se. The beneficial effect of a warm bath for colds, for example, is completely undisputed. If you feel too weak even for that, you can also snuggle up warm in bed and transpire moderately and slowly to suffocate the cold viruses.

Tip 8: Listen to your body!

If you ask your family doctor when you can fully resume your daily routine after a cold and go back to school, university or work, you usually always get the same answer: when you feel fit again! The same applies to the sauna: you yourself know best how you feel, whether you already feel very tired or actually still quite fit. If you feel the need to rest, then stay in bed and don’t force yourself to do something that might help you according to some portals. You know best! Have you had any experience with sauna for colds? Feel free to let us know in the comments!