How Often Should You Use A Sauna Each Week?

Sauna use has changed in recent years. In the past, you probably only considered using a sauna in a location like a spa, but as the health and wellbeing benefits of the practice have become more widely known, sauna use has increased considerably.

In fact, the British Sauna Society now lists over 900 public-use saunas on its website. Of course, plenty of people have invested in their own home saunas, which means the number of people using saunas regularly is likely in the tens of thousands in the UK (if not more). 

How often should you use a sauna?

If you have discovered the joy and benefits of sauna use, you may be wondering how often you can indulge in a hot session, ideally interspersed with cold dips. 

Firstly, it’s important to note that you need to consider any medical conditions you have when deciding how often to use a sauna, or if the practice is even advisable for you. 

But once you know that it’s safe for you to enjoy a sauna, the good news is that getting into a sauna several times per week is a healthy habit to develop.

For example, one study revealed that having multiple sauna sessions each week reduced the risk of dying as a result of cardiovascular disease. In fact, the risks were lowered the most for the group who included sauna bathing in their routine four to seven times per week.

How long should a sauna session be for the optimum benefits?

While the research into the benefits for our cardiovascular health suggests a sauna bathing session should be at least 20 minutes to unlock the maximum benefits, it’s important to build up your tolerance to the heat at a pace that suits you.

It takes time to feel comfortable in a sauna for longer periods of time and the reality is that making sauna bathing a regular part of your routine, even if you don’t hit the optimum length of time, is still beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing.

The general advice is to aim for a five to 15 minute sauna session when you are still new to the practice, and to gradually extend this to 20 minutes and that you can spend up to 30 minutes sauna bathing at a time.

It’s important not to go over that upper 30-minute limit, however, as this can cause dehydration and even heat stroke. So, know your limits and keep your sauna sessions well within what’s comfortable for your body. 

How can you make sauna bathing part of your routine?

One of the simplest ways to ensure you regularly make time for sauna bathing is to install an outdoor home sauna at your property. This removes many of the barriers to regular sauna use, because you won’t have to travel and can use it at a time of day that’s convenient for you. 

This means you can establish your own routine where your sauna session is a natural part of your day or week, rather than an extra activity you have to fit into what’s likely an already busy calendar. 

Having a sauna at home also means you will be more likely to dip in and out for shorter sessions, because it is, quite literally, on your doorstep.