What is Mental Health?
Mental health is far more than just not having a mental illness. It is the very foundation of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
You are in a state of “Good Mental Health” when:
- You can manage daily stress without feeling overwhelmed and bounce back quickly.
- You feel confident in your abilities and can reach your full potential.
- You build positive relationships and feel a sense of belonging in your community.
Basically, it is about having the mental “flexibility” and space to handle whatever life throws your way.
Signs of Stress: Are You Overlooking the Warnings?
We often dismiss symptoms as “just a busy week,” but your mind may be sending SOS signals. Check if any of the following feel familiar:
- Constant Restlessness:Feeling like you can’t relax, as if you are always in a hurry for no reason.
- Emotional Burnout: Losing interest in activities or hobbies you used to love; feeling “emptied out.”
- The “Wired but Tired” Cycle: Being physically exhausted yet unable to sleep because your mind won’t switch off.
- Brain Fog: Struggling to concentrate, finding it hard to make simple decisions, or feeling like your thoughts are clouded.
How a Sauna Routine Matches Official Self-Care Advice
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) outlines several key pillars for maintaining mental health. Interestingly, a structured sauna routine addresses almost all of them:
- Get Regular Exercise: A sauna session increases your heart rate to levels similar to a brisk walk, giving your heart a workout while you sit and relax.
- Deep Sleep: The drop in core body temperature after leaving a sauna starts the body’s natural sleep signals, leading to deeper sleep.
- Try a Relaxing Activity: Saunas provide a rare “digital detox” environment. With no screens to distract you, it’s the perfect place to quiet your mind and focus on your breathing.
Why is a Sauna So Effective for Mental Health?
The benefits of sauna go deep into your biology:
- Rebooting the Nervous System: The intense heat followed by a cold plunge forces your body to switch from “Fight or Flight” to “Rest and Digest” mode.
- The “Mood Boost” Hormone: Heat stress starts the release of endorphins—the body’s natural feel-good chemicals—helping to calm feelings of anxiety and improve a low mood.
- Reducing Internal Stress: New studies suggest that regular sauna use can reduce inflammation throughout the body, which is closely linked to better mental clarity and a stable mood.
Learn more about:
- Sleep Quality: https://luravia.co.uk/blog/sleep-quality/
- Recovery : https://luravia.co.uk/blog/recovery/
Your Weekly Self-Care Step
Studies suggest that using a sauna 2 to 3 times a week yields the most significant mental health benefits. Here is how to make it part of your lifestyle:
- Practice Mindfulness: Use the heat as a focus point. Focus entirely on the feeling of your breath and the heat on your skin to quiet the “noise” in your head.
- Build Strength with Contrast Therapy: Alternating between the sauna and a cold plunge trains your mind to remain calm under physical stress, building mental toughness.
- Make time for the “Rest”: The period of cooling down after the sauna is when your brain undergoes its deepest recovery. Don’t rush it; this is where the magic happens.
Where to Find Support in the UK
While self-care is vital, knowing when to ask for professional help is a sign of strength. If you are struggling, please reach out to these trusted UK services:
- NHS Mental Health Services: A complete guide to mental health support, symptoms, and treatments available through the NHS. Visit nhs.uk/mental-health
- NHS 111: Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk when you need medical advice or support that isn’t an immediate emergency.
- Mind: The UK’s leading mental health charity, providing advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Visit mind.org.uk for more information.
