Sauna as a prophylaxis against colds
People who regularly visit a sauna have been proven to suffer significantly fewer infections than non-sauna users after just eight to twelve weeks. However, this requires a visit to the sweat bath once or twice a week. In a classic sauna, the time in the heat should be only 10-15 minutes each time and the cooling phase should be limited to a short time.
A short cold shower is suitable for this purpose. A longer stay in cold water, ice or snow is not recommended. The cooling down is followed by a twenty-minute rest phase.
The whole procedure should then be repeated two to three times. This is sufficient for the prophylactic effect of the sauna. Regular visits to the sauna have been proven to help strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of colds.
Even if the cold is already coming on, a visit to the sauna can help to shorten the duration of the illness. However, sauna visits for colds are only advisable if the cold has not yet fully broken out. At the first signs of a viral infection, such as aching limbs and a scratchy throat, the high temperature in the sauna can help the body’s own immune system to keep the pathogens at bay.
The humid air also has a calming effect on the irritated mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Nevertheless, the visit should not last longer than 10 to 15 minutes and the cooling down afterwards should also be gentle, as extreme temperature fluctuations put even more strain on the body. However, even experienced sauna-goers should be careful with more advanced colds, as the heavy sweating and warm air can be too much of a strain on the already weakened body and in the worst case lead to disturbances of the cardiovascular system.
It is therefore advisable to listen to your body and avoid sauna visits during the acute phase of a cold, as they tend to stress and damage the body. Learn more about this under: How can I shorten the duration of a cold? The infusion is the climax of every sauna visit, as the hot vapors increase the temperature in the cabin even further. Through various additives, the infusion can clear the respiratory tract and have a relaxing effect on the body, which can have a positive effect on the course of the illness in the initial phase of a cold. However, in the case of more severe symptoms and an advanced cold, a visit to the sauna and the infusion must be avoided.