Using a sauna after a refreshing swim – or yoga class – can be a relaxing treat, but are you aware just how beneficial a sweat session can be?

Reportedly, spending time in a sauna – which is basically a hot box, heated to approximately 150-200 degrees F – for at least 10-15 minutes each week can help you in more ways than one. Not only does the deep, penetrating heat help your body detoxify heavy metals and toxins from which are easily accumulated in today's polluted world, it boosts the immune system and can even help you look more beautiful!

Indeed, sweating in a sauna could be one of the keys to living a longer, happier, and healthier life. Following are 7 ways using a sauna benefits your mental, physical, and emotional health.

Improves Skin Appearance

Perhaps the best-known benefit of using a sauna is that it helps flush toxins from the body. Because your skin is the body's largest organ, cleaning it through profuse sweating often results in better skin due to improved blood circulation. One might also notice a diminishment in acne and blackheads as saunas help to remove dead skin. Finally, saunas provide a significant boost in growth hormone levels, which provide a bounty of anti-aging benefits.

Boosts The Immune System 

It's easy in today's world to become bogged down by environmental pollution, stress at the office, and unhealthy dietary and eating habits. Luckily, saunas help boost the immune system because the steam stimulates the body to produce more white blood cells.

Of course, properly detoxifying the body and adopting healthy habits will naturally improve your immune system, but this is an extra benefit of regularly using a sauna.

Provides Stress Release 

Believe it or not, when your body temperature is increased, endorphins are released. Known as the "feel good drug," endorphins, which are naturally produced by the central nervous system, help you to de-stress. Because stress is at the root of most illnesses, this is an important benefit that should not be overlooked.

Assists In Weight Loss

Most people think of obesity as its own issue, but did you know that being overweight is actually a symptom of having an acidic, inflamed, and toxic body? Detoxifying by sitting in a sauna will not only help you remove pollutants and reduce the inflammation in your body, it will stimulate increased burning of calories.