You might be familiar with the benefits of fasting and sauna separately, but can you sauna while fasting? In theory, this could supercharge the fat burning mechanism of fasting, especially if you’re using an infrared sauna. It could also kick up mental clarity and detoxification a notch.

But, is it safe to use a sauna while fasting? We’ll cover both the benefits and risks below, before sharing some tips on safely using a sauna during fasting. 

As long as you remain hydrated, limit your session time, choose a lower temperature, and break your fast after the sauna, you can experience better results through the synergy of sauna and fasting.

If you don’t already have one, consider investing in an at-home sauna for the ultimate convenience in your self-care and wellness regimens. 

Nordica Sauna has the most trusted brands at the lowest prices online, backed by world-class customer service every step of the way.

Whether you want an infrared sauna for sale, traditional sauna for sale, or even a hybrid sauna for sale, we’ll get you set up with the perfect solution!

Overview of Fasting and Sauna

Fasting and sauna use separately can be powerful additions to any health and wellness routine. Before we discuss the idea of using them together, let’s explain how fasting works and why a sauna is worth the investment.

What is Fasting?

Fasting is simply choosing (voluntarily) to not eat or drink anything besides water for a specific time period. There are a number of reasons one might choose to fast - be it religion, lifestyle, or health-related. For the sake of this article, we’ll assume you’re interested in the health benefits. 

One of the most common forms of fasting today is intermittent fasting, where individuals alternate between periods of eating and fasting within a day. This might entail no food or drink between the hours of 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM the next day - that would be a 16-hour fast.

The body undergoes metabolic changes when in a fasted state, switching from using glucose for energy to burning fat. This is known as ketosis.

Ketosis encourages fat loss, detoxification, and even cellular repair through autophagy - a state where the body breaks down damaged cells and regenerates new ones.

But weight loss is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fasting. This lifestyle change has the ability to reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, enhance mental clarity, and support cardiovascular health.

Some studies suggest fasting may even protect the body against various diseases. Plus, it’s just a more convenient way to eat food. You don’t have to stress about planning out three separate meals and a bunch of snacks. Instead, you can have 2 big meals and a few snacks here and there.

It can feel overwhelming, but getting started with smaller fasting windows is an excellent introduction. Begin with a 12-hour fast, say from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM. Then, slowly add an hour until you’re at the 15-16 hour mark, as this extended state is where ketosis occurs.

Benefits of Regular Sauna Use

Now, let’s look at the other half of the sauna and fasting conversation. There are many different types of sauna, from infrared sauna vs traditional to infrared vs steam sauna. You can also choose between an indoor vs outdoor sauna, or barrel sauna vs square sauna.

But across all these variations the overarching goal remains the same - they use heat to induce sweating, raising the body’s core temperature. 

This is what leads to all the health benefits saunas have earned a reputation for. The most noteworthy include detoxification, improved circulation, and enhanced recovery.

Saunas are also just a great way to kick back and relax, letting the stress of life melt away and releasing endorphins that leave you feeling completely rejuvenated as you exit the sauna. There are skin benefits too, as saunas enhance blood flow and open the pores to release toxins. 

Infrared saunas in particular have the ability to support cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel function and increasing heart rate, mimicking the effects of moderate exercise. Through this mechanism, many have managed to lose weight simply through regular sauna sessions.

There is also evidence that saunas can reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery after exercise, which is why they’re particularly popular for athletes looking to push their physical potential to the absolute limit.

All things considered, investing in a sauna is one of the best decisions you can make for your health and happiness. The convenience of having one in your home or backyard is going to change your life for the better.

But let’s get back to the root of today’s conversation - can you sauna while fasting?

Can You Sauna While Fasting?

It sounds like using a sauna during fasting is an excellent way to supercharge the benefits each of these has to offer on their own. But, is it safe to use a sauna while fasting? 

Let’s look at both the sauna while fasting benefits and potential risks to leave you with a clear understanding of whether or not this is a good idea.

Sauna While Fasting Benefits

The synergy between fasting and sauna is undeniable, especially when it comes to the detoxification side of things. Fasting on its own encourages detoxification, as the body shifts to burning fat for energy, releasing stored toxins in the process. 

Meanwhile, the heat from a sauna promotes sweating to further help eliminate these toxins through the skin, creating a powerful cleansing effect. This accelerates the detox process, giving your liver and kidneys a much-needed break.

But, there are fat-burning benefits of using a sauna while fasting too. Your body is already using fat stores for fuel while in a fasted state, and you can intensify this through sauna use - particularly, infrared sauna use. The elevated sauna temperature increases your metabolic rate, forcing your body to burn more calories and potentially enhance fat loss.

Both sauna and fasting support enhanced mental clarity as well. Each triggers the release of endorphins, reducing stress levels and creating a sense of calm so you can focus on being present or preparing for the next task on your to-do list.

Fasting and sauna sessions may even improve sleep quality, helping you recover more efficiently and further supporting overall well-being. Getting quality sleep is one of the most simple wellness hacks out there.

Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of fasting are complemented by regular sauna use. Saunas increase circulation and heat shock proteins, reducing inflammation in the body. Thus, sauna fasting is especially beneficial for those with chronic inflammation or autoimmune conditions. 

Is it Safe to Use a Sauna While Fasting, Though?

It’s clear there are sauna while fasting benefits - but is it safe to use a sauna while fasting?It certainly can be. However, there are a few risks you need to consider. The most notable is dehydration.

Fasting, especially water-only fasting, depletes the body of fluids and essential electrolytes. This is exacerbated by sauna use which induces intense sweating. You need to stay well-hydrated and replenish electrolytes through mineral-rich water or supplements while sauna fasting.

Fatigue and dizziness are other risks to consider. Your body is already running on limited fuel, and adding heat stress from a sauna can increase the risk of lightheadedness or fainting. 

The intensity of your fast should be taken into consideration before bringing a sauna into the mix, too. If you're on a prolonged fast, or your fast involves significant calorie restriction, your body may not have the energy reserves to handle both fasting and sauna use.

That being said, there are a few more tips we want to share on safely using a sauna during fasting if you’re committed to giving this dynamic duo a try. 

Tips on Safely Using a Sauna During Fasting

Making sure to remain hydrated is the top priority when sauna fasting, but there are a few other things you need to know to stay safe while reaping all the benefits of sauna while fasting.

Stay Hydrated

Fasting alone can cause dehydration as the body burns through stored energy, and saunas accelerate fluid loss through sweating. Drinking ample water is a good start, but it’s even more important that you’re giving your body fresh electrolytes.

This can come through a pinch of sea salt in your water, or, you can use a more professionally formulated electrolyte supplement. Watch out for signs of dehydration such as dizziness, dry mouth, and headaches.

Limit Session Time

It’s best to keep sauna sessions short while in a fasted state - 10 to 15 minutes is usually plenty of time. If you’re new to fasting and sauna sesssions, start with even shorter sessions and work your way up based on how your body reacts.

Choose Lower Temperatures

Similarly, you can turn down the temperature on your sauna a bit while in a fasted state. While saunas can typically reach temperatures above 180°F, we suggest keeping it a bit more conservative with a maximum range of between 140°F and 160°F while fasting.

This will allow your body to enjoy the benefits of sauna use without causing excessive stress. Monitor how you feel during the session. If you start feeling lightheaded or fatigued, step out and cool down gradually.

As we touched on earlier, we suggest using an infrared sauna because they inherently operate at lower temperatures - yet, the heat “feels” more intense, since it’s penetrating deeper into your muscle tissues. You’ll find the experience to be more comfortable.

Post-Sauna Nutrition

We suggest tailoring your sauna session such that it coincides with the end of your fasting period. This way, you can refuel with the right units right after the session.

Breaking your fast with a nutrient-rich, easily digestible meal will support recovery and hydration. Foods high in electrolytes like leafy greens, bone broth, or coconut water can replenish lost minerals and fluids. 

Just be sure to steer clear of processed or high-sugar foods immediately after fasting, as they can cause spikes in blood sugar and reduce the overall benefits of fasting.

Upgrade Your Health and Home With the Help of Nordica Sauna!

Whether you choose to combine fasting and sauna or just want to bring the benefits of a sauna into your home without making any changes to your eating habits, you can rest assured Nordica Sauna has the perfect solution for you.

We’ve curated a collection of both infrared saunas and dry saunas to accommodate any preferences, and you can find a wide range of sauna sizes as well - including:

• 1 person sauna for sale
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Find different styles, ranging from the classic barrel sauna for sale to cabin-style indoor saunas for sale and other types of outdoor saunas for sale. We have saunas equipped with the latest features and technological advancements, from red light therapy to Bluetooth connectivity.

No matter what sauna you go with you can rest assured you’re investing in long-lasting quality as we only sell the best sauna brands the industry has to offer, including:

• Almost Heaven Sauna
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You don’t have to play the guessing game about which is right for you, either. Our sauna buying guide simplifies the process, or, you can take our intuitive sauna quiz!

We also have exceptional customer service to help you every step of the way, whether you’re looking for a personalized recommendation or need help using HSA/FSA funds for the purchase.

With the lowest sauna prices online and free shipping, you won’t find a better deal than what we have in store for you here at Nordica Sauna. So, what are you waiting for? Take the first step today as we wrap up our sauna fasting guide.

Parting Thoughts on Sauna and Fasting

So, can you sauna while fasting? As you can see, this is a great way to unlock synergy between sauna and fasting, amplifying the benefits each has on its own. That includes detoxification, fat burning, and mental clarity.

Just remember that safety is always the most important thing to consider. Staying hydrated, keeping sessions shorter, and choosing lower temperatures can help you maximize the benefits without putting unnecessary stress on your body.

Our blog has additional resources on topics like how often should you use a sauna, what to wear in sauna, red light therapy vs infrared sauna, is infrared sauna safe, and more.

But at this point, it’s time to start the search for the best infrared sauna for home at Noridca Sauna. Combine the power of fasting and sauna therapy today and unlock a new level of health and relaxation!