Steam showers offer a variety of health benefits that can improve your mind and body.
Some of these benefits include improved skin health, stress relief, better circulation, and improving your immune system. If you are looking for ways to improve your overall health, a steam shower may be the solution for you.
It’s essential to learn not only the health benefits but the risks included with using a steam shower. Before you make a decision on whether or not to use one or install one in your home.
Health Benefits of a Steam Shower
There are many benefits to using a steam room let’s take a closer look at each of these benefits:
Recovery from Athletic Performance
Professional athletes understand the importance of taking time to recover after a strenuous workout.
Steam rooms can help speed up the workout recovery process.
The heat and humidity from the steam bathing will help your body to relax and loosen tight muscles and help with delayed onset muscle soreness.
This, in turn, will help improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
Improved Circulation
One of the best things about a steam room or steam shower is that it can help improve your circulation.
The heat and humidity from the steam will cause your blood vessels to dilate, which will improve blood flow.
Blood flow is important because it can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease or other circulatory problems.
Blood vessels that are not functioning properly can cause a variety of health problems, so it is essential to keep them healthy.
Skin Care
The dry heat and humidity from the steam bathing will also help to improve your skin health.
The steam shower will help open pores, which will allow dirt and other impurities to be washed away. This, in turn, can help reduce the occurrence of acne breakouts and other skin problems.
Prevents Dry Skin
If you suffer from dry skin, a steam shower may be the answer for improving skin health.
The heat and humidity from the steam shower will help to moisturize your skin. This, in turn, can help reduce the occurrence of dry skin.
Removes Skin Cells
If you suffer from dry skin, then regular use of a steam room may be the answer for you.
The humidity from the steam will help to moisturize your skin. This, in turn, can help remove dead skin cells.
Relaxation
The dry heat and humidity from the steam can also help to reduce stress and tension.
The steam shower will cause your body to sweat, which will help release toxins. This, in turn, can help you feel more relaxed and refreshed.
Detoxification
Steam showers are great for supporting your body in its expulsion of toxins and waste product build-up, helping improve your overall health.
Stiffness and Joint Pain
If you suffer from stiff joints or joint pain, a steam shower may be able to help.
The heat and humidity will help to loosen tight muscles and joints, which can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Stiff joints are often the result of inflammation, so by reducing inflammation, you can help reduce stiffness and sore muscles.
Cardiovascular System
The moist heat and humidity from the steam can help to improve your cardiovascular health.
This, in turn, can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease or other circulatory problems.
Weight Loss
When you’re in the steam shower, your heart rate rises. If you use a steam shower after an aerobic exercise, your heart rate has already increased, and the steam session can keep it elevated.
According to UW Health saunas and steam showers stimulate your body in ways that typical exercise does not.
The steam shower isn’t a quick technique to lose weight though. Any water weight you lose in the steam shower is water weight, and you’ll need to replenish it by drinking water to avoid dehydration.
But taking steam showers regularly as a way to burn more calories at the gym could make your diet and exercise routine more effective.
Metabolism
The humidity from the steam shower can help improve your metabolism.
It will cause you to sweat, which will help release toxins from the body. This, in turn, can help improve your overall health.
Opens up sinuses
If you are suffering from a cold or the flu, a steam room may be able to help.
The heat and humidity from the steam will open up your sinuses, including the nasal passages, which can help you breathe easier. This, in turn, can help reduce the symptoms of a cold or the flu.
A great addition to a steam shower is aromatherapy, with the use of essential oils you can enhance your steam shower experience and relieve many ailments with this age-old therapy. More on steam shower aromatherapy here.
Prevents asthma attacks & Respiratory Problems
If you suffer from asthma, a steam shower may be able to help.
The heat from the steam will help to loosen tight muscles and airways, as well remove toxins through the skin which can help prevent asthma attacks and enabled easier breathing. According to holistic online, asthma sufferers prefer most heat over dry heat, making a steam shower a better option than a sauna.
Steam therapy has been used for centuries to help improve overall health.
The benefits of steam therapy are numerous, and it is a safe and effective way to improve your mind and body. If you are looking for a way to improve your health, steam therapy may be the answer for you.
Steam opens your pores
The steam from a steam shower will open your pores, which can help remove dirt and other impurities. This, in turn, can help reduce the occurrence of acne breakouts and other skin problems.
Improves sleep
Regular use of a steam shower can certainly help improve your sleep.
As we have discussed already in this guide, steam can help relieve stress, inflammation, breathing and improve your general wellbeing, so a 20-minute session in a steam shower an hour before bed will set you up for a great night’s sleep.
Helps relieve pain
The humidity from the steam can help relieve pain. The steam will cause you to sweat, which will help release toxins from the body and reduce inflammation, the cause of most pains.
Although it can help with most pains be sure to avoid going in with broken skin tissue as it can lead to infection.
Mental Health Benefits and Reduces stress
Of course, relaxation has many benefits in reducing stress and improving mental well being in general.
Daily use of a steam shower will certainly help you out here by removing toxins, relaxing your body and clearing your pathways. Why not add meditation to your steam session for even greater benefits.
Prevents Colds and Bronchitis
Steam rooms may kill rhinovirus, the main cause of the common cold, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The heat and humidity of steam showers may also help relieve bronchitis symptoms by loosening mucus in the chest.
Prevents Cough
If you are suffering from a cough, a steam room may be able to help.
Steam is known to reduce mucus and phlem so a 20-minute session in your steam shower will certainly help reduce the symptoms of a cough
Helps with Arthritis
The moist heat from a steam shower will help to loosen tight muscles and stiff joints as well as reducing inflamation and is known to aid those with issues such as arthritis.
Risks of Using A Steam Shower
There are a few risks associated with using a steam room or steam shower.
Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion –
If you are not careful, you can become dehydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after using.
If you are not used to the heat, you can easily become overwhelmed and experience heat exhaustion. Make sure to take breaks and make drinking water a priority when using a steam shower.
Pregnancy –
If you are pregnant, you should avoid using a steam shower. The heat can be harmful to your baby.
Lower Blood Pressure –
According to the Mayo Clinic “There’s some evidence that steam may help lower blood pressure.
One study found that people with high blood pressure who took a steam bath for 15 minutes lowered their systolic blood pressure (the top number).
By an average of 10 points and their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by an average of 7 points.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Steam Rooms Good For You?
Yes, steam Rooms have many benefits for your mind and body. They can help improve your skin, help relieve stress and tension, improve your circulation, and more.
Is a Steam Room Good for Hangovers?
There is some evidence that suggests steam may help improve hangovers. The heat can help to loosen congestion and mucus in the lungs. This, in turn, can help reduce the severity of your hangover.
How Often Can You Take a Steam Room?
There is no set amount of time that you should steam shower. It is best to listen to your body and take breaks as needed. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is best to stop using the steam rooms.
Read Here: How Often Should You Shower
How Long Should You Stay in a Steam Room?
There is no set amount of time that you should stay in a shower. It is best to listen to your body and take breaks as needed. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is best to stop using the steam rooms.
Can I Use a Steam Room if I Have Diabetes?
You should consult with your doctor before using a steam room if you have diabetes. The heat can be harmful to your blood sugar levels.
Can Steam From a Shower Kill You?
No, steam from a shower will not kill you. However, you should be careful when using a steam shower as you can easily be electrocuted. Make sure all the cords are safely tucked away and that there is no water on the floor.
Is Steam Shower Good for Lungs?
There is some evidence that suggests steam may help improve lung function. The heat can help to loosen congestion and mucus in the lungs. This, in turn, can help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Conclusion
Steam showers offer many health benefits that can improve your mind and body.
If you are looking for ways to improve your overall health, a steam shower may be the solution for you.
Have any other questions about steam showers? We have a number of helpful guides below or you can contact us here
AromaTherapy in a Steam Shower: How to Use Fragrant Oils to Relax and Revitalize
How to Build a Steam Shower [Everything You Need to Know]
Everything You Need to Know About Steam Showers – 2022 Guide
Steam Shower Facts You Need to Know – Q&A
