No, sauna is not good for a hangover. While many people swear a sauna is good for a hangover, the medical advice is – it’s not a good idea. A good sauna session will detox the body, increase heart rate, and boost the immune system. It could also trigger some serious complications when hungover. Therefore, you should avoid using a sauna if you’re hungover.
CAN YOU SWEAT OUT A HANGOVER IN A SAUNA?
Sauna fans around the world have been using sauna to ease their hangovers for years. They claim a sauna will help you sweat out the worst of the effects, relax the body, and boost the immune system.
Can sauna cure a hangover? While the health benefits of sauna are well documented, is not considered a good idea to sauna when you are hungover.
The intense heat of a sauna places stress on the body – and this can cause problems when the body is already trying to cope with the effects of a hangover. Hydration levels, blood pressure, and heart rate can be negatively affected.
IS IT SAFE TO SAUNA WHILE HUNGOVER?
The professional medical advice is to avoid sauna if you are hungover. Your body is already under stress trying to cope with the ill effects of the hangover and you shouldn’t stress it further by jumping into a sauna.
Although a sauna may ease some of the symptoms of a hangover there are also several health concerns. Some of these concerns are potentially dangerous and therefore the professional medical consensus is to avoid sauna when hungover.
WHAT CAN GO WRONG?
If you’re in the midst of of suffering from a hangover, our advice is to avoid using a sauna. There are several things that could go wrong, such as – cardiac arrhythmia, elevated blood pressure, and dehydration.
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA
The toxins present in your body during a hangover can affect the way the heart works. They can disrupt the normal rhythm the heart should beat at.
A cardiac arrhythmia occurs when there is a problem with the electrical signals controlling the heart. When you couple this with the heat of a sauna it increases the strain on the cardiovascular system. Anyone with experience of cardiac arrhythmia should avoid the sauna when hungover.
BLOOD PRESSURE
A good sauna heat session will stimulate the heart to work harder and increase blood flow throughout the body. This can cause a rise in blood pressure. An increase in blood pressure is best avoided if you are suffering a hangover.
DEHYDRATION
Alcohol dehydrates the body. And spending time in a sauna will dehydrate you further. When you put the two of these together you could really suffer some serious dehydration. You should only sauna when you are properly hydrated.
FAINTING
Fainting is a real risk if you take a sauna when you are hungover. Changes in blood pressure, dehydration, cardiac arrhythmia, and intense heat can all combine to increase your chances of fainting.
MINOR ACCIDENTS
The chances of having a minor accident in a sauna increase when you are hungover. Research from Finland has shown that accidents such as sprains, burns, head contusions, and heat stroke occur more frequently when alcohol has been consumed.
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WHAT IS A HANGOVER?
Let’s take a look at what a hangover is and how it affects the body. What exactly happens to us during a hangover?
A hangover is a range of unpleasant symptoms that develop when someone consumes too much alcohol. They begin to kick in when the blood alcohol levels begin to drop significantly.
They usually arrive in the morning, an unwelcome visitor, following a night of alcohol consumption. Although they can be a very unpleasant experience they typically fade away in about 24 hours.
WHAT CAUSES A HANGOVER?
Hangovers are caused as a direct result of drinking too much alcohol. The amount of alcohol needed to trigger a hangover varies greatly from one person to the next.
A hangover is caused when any of the following takes place as a result of drinking alcohol – dehydration, immune response and inflammation, irritation of the stomach lining, lowered blood sugar levels, disrupted sleep, dilated blood vessels, and heart arrhythmia.
DEHYDRATION
Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body as it increases urine production. This triggers thirst, dizziness, and fatigue. You should never sauna when you’re dehydrated – doing so could have serious health implications.
INFLAMMATION
Alcohol stimulates an immune response that causes inflammation in the body. This leads to an inability to concentrate, memory problems, and a decreased appetite. It can cause a feeling of general malaise.
STOMACH LINING
The production of stomach acid increases when alcohol is consumed. This can cause nausea, stomach pains, and even vomiting.
BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
Alcohol consumption can lead to a reduction in blood sugar levels. This can lead to fatigue, weakness, and irritability.
DISRUPTED SLEEP
Sleep patterns and quality of sleep are affected by alcohol. It severely limits your ability to get deep restful sleep. This can cause fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
DILATED BLOOD VESSELS
Alcohol causes your blood vessels to expand. One of the common side effects of this is the all too familiar hangover headache.
HEART ARRHYTHMIA
Alcohol and hangovers can lead to cardiac arrhythmia. This is a problem with heart rhythm and happens when the electrical impulses to the heart don’t work properly. Taking a sauna when hungover can further complicate this symptom.
SYMPTOMS OF A HANGOVER
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Excessive Thirst
- Nausea
- Poor Sleep
- Rapid Heartbeat
- Poor Concentration
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Stomach Cramps
WHY IS SAUNA FOR HANGOVER SO POPULAR?
Okay, now that we know taking a sauna is a good idea when hungover – let’s look at why so many people say it is a great way to cure a hangover.
DETOX
Sauna is a great way to detox the body. As you begin to heat up and sweat, the body flushes out toxins. This may help rid the body of toxins that have accumulated as a result of the hangover.
RELAXATION & STRESS RELIEF
A hangover can be s stressful experience. Not only do you feel terrible but it can trigger anxiety and depression in some. Sauna is a great way to relax the body and calm the mind.
IMPROVED SLEEP
Not only does a sauna session relax the mind and body – it can lead to a better night’s sleep. Disrupted sleep is a common complaint of hangover sufferers.
HEADACHE RELIEF
A relaxing sauna session can help relieve headaches. Research from New Zealand has shown that headache intensity can be reduced with regular sauna therapy.
INFRARED HOME SAUNA
Interested in discovering home sauna for yourself? Check out the Best Infrared Saunas 2024. With a home infrared sauna you can enjoy all the relaxation and recovery benefits of sauna in your home. We can help you find the ideal sauna for your home.
POPULAR HANGOVER CURES
Okay, so you’ve decided to give the sauna a skip. So, what else can you try to get some relief from your nightmare hangover? Here are some of the most popular hangover remedies.
COMFORT FOOD
Most of us reach for some comfort food when feeling under the weather – and this is no different for a hangover. Many like to try a greasy breakfast or maybe something sweet. But replacing lost salt and sugars can help.
FIZZY DRINKS
Sweet fizzy drinks like Gatorade can help quench the thirst and get the blood sugar levels back up again. A few sips can have you feeling better and put some bounce back in your step.
PAINKILLERS
Aspirin and paracetamol are popular choices for those feeling a bit rough after a night of heavy drinking.
PRAIRIE OYSTER
This one is not for the faint-hearted. The prairie oyster is a cocktail of tomato juice, tabasco sauce, worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, and a raw egg. If you can stomach this mixture – you’re doing well.
Can You Go in a Sauna after Drinking Alcohol?
You should avoid a sauna if you have recently drunk alcohol, are drinking alcohol, or are suffering a hangover from alcohol. The combination of the heat from the sauna and the effects of alcohol on the body can cause serious health complications.
How Does Infrared Sauna Affect a Hangover?
An infrared sauna will affect a hangover and your body in the same way as a traditional sauna. It will heat the body, raise core body temperature and trigger a range of physiological events including sweating and increased heart rate. You need to avoid infrared sauna if you are hungover.
Can I Sweat out a Hangover?
No, a sauna should be avoided during a hangover. It will place unnecessary strain on the body while it is already trying to cope with the ill effects of a hangover. You should avoid the sauna until you have fully recovered from your hangover. Sauna is not advised for alcohol detox.
How Can I Avoid a Hangover?
The medical advice on this one is to avoid alcohol completely. That’s the best way to avoid a hangover. However, if you are determined to have a drink – make sure you eat something beforehand and limit your drinks to what you know you can handle.
What About Sauna Post Hangover?
Sauna post hangover is fine. Once you have recovered from your hangover you can return to your sauna routine as normal. Most hangovers pass in 24 hours.
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About the Author
ELLIE COLE
• Health & Wellness Consultant
Ellie is a fully trained and highly skilled massage therapist. Hailing from sunny Florida, she brings a wealth of expertise to the health and wellness realm. She holds a LST qualification in Massage from the esteemed Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences and specializes in techniques that promote relaxation and healing.
Her experience extends beyond massage and encompasses a diverse range of therapies including infrared sauna. She developed her expertise at the Equinox Sports Club in San Francisco and has led sessions in pilates fusion, outdoor run clubs, and vinyasa yoga. Ellie is highly regarded for her ability to tailor treatments to individual needs.
When not immersed in the world of holistic wellness and local sports and fitness clubs she enjoys exploring Florida’s natural beauty and participating in outdoor activities. With her unique blend of expertise, experience, and passion for wellness Ellie looks forward to helping you discover the benefits of sauna and sauna therapy.
Oh yes buddy. A sauna is a mighty fine way to spend a hangover. Just lay back, throw the feet up and chill out.
Let the heat work its magic.
I used it once when on a holiday in Cancun and it defintely made me forget about the hangover.
Well it was either that or the warm beer in my hand.
😀
Not good for a headache :'(
The sauna works all good, just don’t bring the beers in with you!
The amount of people I have seen on holidays bringing beers in with them makes me laugh.
Is that like why the lava lamp relaxes me and helps me fall asleep. Becasue of the different colors???