Despite, and perhaps because of, that beautiful late summer, winter is falling raw on our roof. It's not just the temperature that shoots towards 0 point, our mood is also not a candidate for an excellent BBQ weather certificate at the moment. Lenneke from SaunaGids.nl explains how a visit to the sauna can reduce your winter dip.
No matter how hard we try to strengthen our protective layer throughout the year, some of us don't seem to be able to cope with the backlash that comes from the lack of light. A depressed feeling, fatigue, need for a lot of (carbohydrate-rich) food, irritable; all symptoms of that persistent annual winter. Annoying for your loved ones, but especially for yourself!
A visit to the sauna can have a relieving effect on a winter dip:
• Color therapy saunas give your body the chance to find its balance again. Did you know that, for example, the color green harmonises and also brings satisfaction, peace and relaxation? And how about the calming effect of blue? It is the color of peace and provides deep relaxation.
• The tanning bed is losing popularity, but is and remains a suitable supply channel for the Vitamin D that we usually miss in winter due to a lack of sunlight.
• The heat in a sauna helps your body to produce more antibodies, which in turn has a positive effect on your immune system.
• The sauna bath also ensures that your body is “rinsed clean” as it were; metabolic residues and substances that have lingered after disease processes are removed and make way for 'fresh' body-own substances.
• The usually present swimming pool offers the opportunity for that bit of exercise which often turns out to be a neglected child in winter.
• Instead of resisting, you can surrender for a whole day to the melatonin (sleep hormone) that is produced extra by your body due to the disrupted biological clock.
• The sauna has a stimulating effect on the production of endorphins; a substance produced by the body, which relaxes the mind and gives a feeling of well-being.
So give your body that bit of extra attention that it asks for and which your body undoubtedly deserves! A nice side effect:by removing all your waste products and refreshing your fluid reserves, you are at your best the day after a sauna visit!
This article is a contribution by Lenneke Timmermans of SaunaGids.nl.
