A steam room is a small room with high humidity and heated air. People go in to sweat and relax. Steam rooms have many purported benefits, such as improved circulation, stress reduction, immune system support, and detoxification. Many people also report weight loss when using a steam room. So does a steamer help with weight loss?
This article explains the potential benefits of a steam room for weight loss and what you can do to get the most out of your visit to the spa.
What is a Steam Room, and How Does It Work?
Steam rooms are rooms heated to about 110 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity. They often contain small amounts of Epsom salts that add to the steam. People sit in the steam room to sweat and relax. Some people will bring a small handheld fan into the steam room to increase circulation and the amount of sweat production.
A steam room will get you sweating. A sauna will get you dripping sweat! That said, saunas have a much stronger effect on the body. Saunas are excellent for detox but don’t have the same relaxing effects as a steam room.
Weight Loss Benefits of a Steam Room
There are many benefits of a steam room for weight loss. Let’s go through some of the most popular reasons why a steam room can help you lose weight.
- Great for Sweat-Inducing Activities – If you are looking to work out and want to produce a lot of sweat, a steam room can be a great place to do that. A steam room is not necessary for many types of exercise, such as yoga and pilates.
- Great for Relaxed and Deep Breathing – Breathing profoundly and relaxing in a steam room can help lower blood pressure and reduce stress. When stressed, you tend to hold your breath and take shallow breaths. Deep breathing triggers a relaxation response. Deep breathing is also a great way to relax before bed or a workout.
- Improves Circulation – Hot temperatures and humid conditions promote better circulation. Better circulation can help reduce body fat since it distributes hormones and nutrients.
Things to do in the Steam Room to Help with Weight Loss
If you want to try to lose weight with a steam room, here are some things to do to get the most out of your visit.
- Do Deep Breathing Exercises – The one thing you need to do in the steam room to help with weight loss is to do some relaxed and deep breathing. Try to inhale for 5 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds. Do this at the beginning of your steam room session when you’re not too hot or sweaty.
- Keep Your Heart Rate up – Another thing to do in the steam room is to keep your heart rate up. This can help you produce more sweat and burn more calories. This can be done in a few ways. You could bring a small handheld fan into the steam room to increase the airflow. You could also do some standing exercises like jumping jacks or squats.
Things to Avoid in the Steam Room if You’re Trying to Lose Weight
There are a few things you want to avoid in the steam room if you’re looking to lose weight.
- Don’t Stay in the Steam Room for Long Periods of Time – If you stay in the steam room for too long, you can lose weight from dehydration. It should not be used to replace healthy eating and exercise.
- Don’t Overeat Before Your Visit – If you plan a steam room session for weight loss, make sure you eat a healthy meal before visiting the steam room. Eating a healthy snack, such as fruits and nuts, before a steam room session can help prevent dehydration.
Conclusion
A steam room is a great place to relax and sweat. When people sweat, they naturally lose water weight. Sweat also flushes toxins and impurities out of the body. A steam room is a great place to sweat and relax.
If you want to get the most out of your visit to the steam room, do some relaxed and deep breathing and keep your heart rate up. Stay in the steam room for a short time, and don’t overeat before you go. Steaming can be an excellent complement to a healthy lifestyle.