Unlocking wellness: 7 reasons to sweat every day

You can feel the sweat dripping down your face as you hit the “stop” button on the treadmill. With your run finished, you take a moment to breathe and wipe your face with the hem of your T-shirt. It might not be the prettiest sight, but you take the sweat as a sign that you put in the work. 

Sweating is your body’s natural way of cooling down and detoxifying. While it might be inconvenient or uncomfortable at times, it’s a powerful signal of your body working hard to keep you healthy. 

Daily sweating, whether it’s at the gym, during a hot yoga session, or in an infrared sauna, can help you level up your wellness game. Beyond just temperature regulation, the health benefits of sweating include boosting your immune system, enhancing your mood, and promoting weight loss. 

The science behind sweat

Sweat: It's a universal human experience. Whether you're spending a hot summer day outside, feeling anxious before a big presentation, or exercising, you’ve likely felt beads of sweat on your skin.

When your core temperature begins to rise, your brain's hypothalamus signals the sweat glands to release moisture onto your skin. As this moisture evaporates, it cools your skin and helps regulate your body temperature, maintaining homeostasis.

But what exactly is sweat?

Sweat is produced by two types of glands: eccrine and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands are found all over your body and are primarily responsible for regulating body temperature. These glands produce a clear, odorless sweat that is about 99% water. The remaining 1% consists of glucose, amino acids, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other trace elements. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are located in areas with dense hair follicles, such as the armpits and groin. These glands secrete a thicker fluid that, when mixed with bacteria on the skin, can produce body odor.

Interestingly, studies have shown that sweat contains small amounts of urea and ammonia, which are byproducts of protein metabolism. This indicates that sweating also helps in excreting waste products, albeit in smaller quantities compared to the kidneys. 

7 health benefits of sweating

Sweating can have a bad reputation. It can stain your clothes, sting your eyes, and then there’s the smell. While you might not feel so cool at the time, those sweaty moments play a crucial role in maintaining good health. 

Cooling mechanism

Sweating is your body's natural mechanism for cooling down. When your core temperature rises, whether due to exercise, heat, or stress, your brain's hypothalamus signals the sweat glands to produce moisture. 

As this sweat reaches the surface of your skin and begins to evaporate, it absorbs heat from your body, effectively cooling you down. This evaporation process is crucial in regulating your body temperature, preventing overheating, and maintaining homeostasis. In fact, the evaporation of sweat can lower your body temperature by several degrees, helping you to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

Additionally, sweating helps to maintain electrolyte balance by excreting small amounts of sodium, potassium, and other minerals, further supporting your body’s cooling and regulatory functions.

Clears pores

Sweating can be a great way to help keep your skin healthy and clear. When you sweat, the moisture produced by your sweat glands rises to the surface of your skin, bringing along any trapped dirt, oil, and impurities from your pores. As sweat reaches the surface, it helps open up your pores, allowing these impurities to be flushed out. This natural process can prevent the buildup of debris that often leads to clogged pores and acne. 

Plus, according to the U.S. Dermatology Partners, the salt in sweat has mild antibacterial properties, which can reduce the presence of harmful bacteria on your skin. Regular sweating through activities like exercise or relaxing in a sauna can keep your skin looking fresh and clean by naturally clearing out your pores and removing toxins.

Another way that sweating can help your skin? Sweating increases circulation. When core body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate, promoting enhanced blood flow to the skin's surface. This improved circulation contributes to a vibrant, flushed complexion, which is often associated with youthful-looking skin.

Boosts endorphins

Did you know the more you sweat, the better you feel? And it’s not just from the sense of accomplishment that you get working out. Sweating triggers the release of endorphins, often referred to as the "feel-good" hormones. 

Here's how it works: as your body heats up, nerve receptors in your skin send signals to your brain's hypothalamus, which is your body's thermostat and hormone control center. In response, the hypothalamus tells your pituitary gland and other parts of the brain to release endorphins.

Endorphins are natural mood enhancers and pain relievers, and they also help you manage stress and anxiety. 

Strengthens immune system

Sweating isn't just about cooling off; it's a natural boost for your immune system, too. Sweat contains antimicrobial peptides, which protect your skin from harmful bacteria and fungi. Plus, sweating regulates your body temperature, keeping your immune cells functioning at their best without the stress of overheating. 

Sweating also helps immune cells travel more efficiently throughout your body, ready to detect and combat infections. This enhanced blood flow is why activities such as exercise and using an infrared sauna are known to boost your body’s defense system.

Even the salt in sweat plays a role, creating a slightly acidic environment on your skin that's less hospitable to bacteria. This natural antibacterial effect can help protect your skin and support its overall health. 

Supports heart health

How are you working up a sweat? Consistently doing things that leave you perspiring can support your overall heart health.

Whether you are exercising or using an infrared sauna, your heart rate increases. Blood pumps through your system delivering oxygen and essential nutrients are efficiently delivered to your muscles and organs. Over time, regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle itself, making it more efficient at pumping blood.

Another health benefit of sweating? It has the potential to lower blood pressure. During exercise, blood vessels dilate to accommodate the increased blood flow, which can help improve your overall blood pressure.

Promotes weight loss

Ever notice those folks jogging in sweatshirts or hitting the boxing gym in metallic sauna suits? 

They’re not making a fashion statement. It’s a practice called sweat training, with the goal to speed up weight loss by artificially elevating body temperature. 

While you can drop pounds that way, you are mostly losing water weight. But when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, sweating can actually support your weight-loss journey.

Activities such as running, cycling, or high-intensity interval training not only make you sweat but also burn more calories. Studies show that vigorous exercise can significantly increase calorie expenditure, helping you maintain a healthy weight or even lose excess pounds.

Moreover, sweating during physical activity can rev up your metabolism, helping your body burn calories more efficiently even when you're not exercising. Research indicates that regular exercise, which includes sweating, can lead to improvements in metabolic health and increase overall calorie burn.

Improves athletic performance

For athletes, sweating isn’t just the sign of a good workout; it’s crucial. Sweating helps athletes regulate body temperature during intense workouts, preventing overheating.

Sweating, though, can also help you become a better athlete. When you are able to effectively cool your body, you can train at the level you want and, ultimately, improve your endurance. 

But there’s another way those sweaty moments can make you a better athlete — or at least make your workouts better. Purposeful perspiration, whether it’s sweating in a Sweaty GOAT Sauna or exercising in hot conditions, can help you become acclimated to the heat. When you are heat-adapted, your body gets better at regulating its temperature, your cardiovascular system is more efficient, and your plasma volume increases, which can boost blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles.

One study of male cyclists found that after just four sauna sessions, plasma volume increased significantly. Another study found that sweating in a sauna helped cross country skiers boost their plasma volume, as well lower their resting and exercising body temperature.

How to get in a daily sweat

Incorporating activities that promote sweating into your daily routine can offer numerous health benefits. Regular exercise, infrared sauna sessions, hot yoga, and staying hydrated can help you break a sweat in your day-to-day life.

Not only do these activities help regulate your body temperature and detoxify your system, but they also improve your cardiovascular health, enhance your mood, and support overall well-being.

Get regular exercise

One of the best ways to break a sweat is to get your body moving. Whether you are running, cycling, or taking a circuit training class, regular exercise can speed up your heart rate. The elevated heart rate, along with an increase in core temperature, prompts your sweat glands to produce sweat to cool you down. 

It’s not just about the sweat. Exercise can support your cardiovascular health, help you manage your weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall well-being. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or a combination of both, spread throughout the week.

Moreover, exercise-induced sweating has been linked to the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it a powerful tool for maintaining your mental health.

Use an infrared sauna

“It feels like a sauna in here.”

Whether you're a fan of "Seinfeld" or have stepped into your car on a hot summer day, you've probably used or heard this phrase. The word "sauna" has become a go-to metaphor for any situation where the heat is overwhelming and you're sweating profusely.

And it's no surprise. Saunas are designed to make you sweat. While many situations associated with overwhelming heat aren't ones you'd want to repeat, regular sauna use offers a beneficial type of sweating.

Sessions in an infrared sauna can help you sweat out toxins, improve skin health, and enhance relaxation. Michael Phelps Sweaty GOAT Saunas by Master Spas feature a hybrid heating system, which delivers full-spectrum infrared therapy. The deep-penetrating heat helps stimulate your sweat glands, promoting the release of heavy metals, chemicals, and other toxins stored in your body.

Infrared saunas are also known for their cardiovascular benefits. The heat can cause your heart rate to increase, similar to the effects of moderate exercise, which can improve circulation and cardiovascular health. Research suggests that regular use of infrared saunas can reduce blood pressure and improve endothelial function, contributing to overall heart health. Additionally, the relaxing environment of an infrared sauna can help reduce stress and promote better sleep, supporting overall wellness.

Try hot yoga

Yoga sessions aren’t typically considered to be heart-pounding, sweat-inducing workouts. Controlled movements with an emphasis on breath, yoga aims to enhance flexibility, strength, and mindfulness rather than your cardio fitness.

But hot yoga is turning up the benefits of this ancient tradition. Hot yoga combines traditional yoga poses with a heated environment, typically around 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Going through a flow in a warm space will encourage you to sweat, helping your body flush out toxins through the skin. Hot yoga offers additional benefits, including improved flexibility and strength as you are often able to get deeper into the stretches and poses.

It’s not always easy, though, to make it to the studio for regular hot yoga sessions. Whether class times conflict with your schedule, there isn’t a studio nearby, or you have other commitments, finding time to attend can be challenging. 

However, a Sweaty GOAT Sauna allows you to do a private hot yoga session at home. With a temperature range of 80 degrees to 160 degrees, you can set the heat to your preferred temp for stretching and flexibility work. The infrared heat aids in deeper stretching and greater flexibility, making your yoga practice even more effective. 

Three-person sauna models, the MP3 and MP3C are perfect for a modified hot yoga session. These spacious saunas allow for comfortable movement and stretching, ideal for incorporating yoga poses while benefiting from the heat. You can even incorporate a band or other accessories to target tight muscles.

Stay hydrated

Want to boost your sweat equity? Staying hydrated helps your body produce sweat and maintain its natural cooling mechanism. When you sweat, you lose fluids and electrolytes, so it’s essential to replenish them to prevent dehydration and ensure your body functions properly.

Proper hydration also supports overall health. Water is vital for various bodily functions, including digestion, nutrient absorption, and temperature regulation. Drinking enough water can help maintain your energy levels, improve your physical performance, and even enhance your cognitive functions.

Incorporating regular opportunities to sweat into your routine is not just about physical health — it’s about cultivating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Whether you’re enhancing your skin’s clarity in a Sweaty GOAT Sauna, deepening your yoga practice in a hot environment, or simply embracing an active lifestyle, sweating plays a vital role in supporting your overall well-being.

Best infrared sauna for at-home use

Do you want to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy without having to book an appointment at a spa or share space at a gym? A Michael Phelps Sweaty GOAT Sauna allows you to realize the benefits of sauna therapy. Click here to find out more about the benefits of incorporating a Michael Phelps Sweaty GOAT sauna into your routine. Rejuvenate your wellness routine today!