Why Sauna Improves Oxytocin and How That Lowers Anxiety

If you’ve ever wished you could bottle that warm fuzzy feeling after a long cuddle, it turns out that time in the sauna can give you that medicine – no prescription required. It comes in the form of oxytocin, which is known as the love hormone that fosters feelings of connection, trust, and happiness. If that’s a little too airy fairy for you, then it is also excellent at beating stress and regulating your emotions, according to research in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology. Your body releases oxytocin to promote bonding with other people when you do things like hugging, laughing with friends, and even spending a little time in a sauna. This unique environment supports your oxytocin by creating a stress-free space where your body feels safe and relaxed. Here’s why SaunaFin saunas offer the perfect sanctuary that’ll help increase oxytocin levels and enhance your well-being.

How Sauna Sessions Enhance Oxytocin Release

Whether you have an indoor sauna kit, prefab sauna, outdoor sauna, or home sauna kit, the sauna is an unusual place, and it triggers some curious changes in your hormones. Standing tall in this space is oxytocin, the hug hormone, which isn’t a stretch if you consider that the sauna’s gentle warmth envelops your body to ease tension. This state, where your stress levels are set to ‘barely there,’ releases the mental blocks and allows you to produce oxytocin more freely. Heat therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol, and your body releases more oxytocin in response to warm temperatures, according to research in Frontiers in Psychology.  This happens because oxytocin becomes the superior hormone as your cortisol levels drop, which helps you feel calmer. This effect is clear in sauna cultures, especially in Nordic countries, which embrace the social side of the sauna and often share sessions with friends and family. The communal warmth of the sauna, combined with an oxytocin-friendly environment, makes for a truly uplifting experience. 

The Impact of Oxytocin on Social Connections

Oxytocin is a big hitter in how we connect with others. When your oxytocin levels are high, you tap into everything good about life. This means you’re more likely to feel open, trusting, and connected to people. Unlocking it in the sauna, where your oxytocin is high, means you can make your social interactions feel more meaningful. Research in the journal PLOS ONE even found that men who sweat together are more collaborative in tasks afterwards. This shows sharing the sauna with your friends and family can help you forge deeper bonds and lasting memories, as oxytocin helps forge stronger connections. Regular sauna-goers report improved relationships and an increased sense of community, so you’re not only investing in your health but also creating a valuable opportunity to strengthen the bonds of your social circle. 

How Saunas Reduce Anxiety

How you manage your daily sources of anxiety and stress can make or break everything from your mood to your energy to tackle tasks. Fighting in the corner against these foes stands oxytocin, which offers a powerful hormonal counterbalance. While you’re relaxing in the sauna, your body releases oxytocin and endorphins, creating an anti-stress response that you’ll enjoy for hours afterwards. This was clinically proven in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, that found saunas improve mood and reduce anxiety. If you’re dealing with a little bit of social anxiety or struggling to get on top of life’s challenges, then a regular sauna routine may act as a stress buffer that helps to make you resilient to stressors when you’re outside the sauna. 

5 Ways to Use Your Sauna to Release More Oxytocin 

Use these tricks to get your body to maximize its oxytocin output when you’re in the sauna:

1. Do 10 Minutes of Yoga: You don’t have to be a yoga expert, but you can include some gentle stretches in your session, as this has been shown to improve your level of oxytocin. Keep it gentle and embrace the deep breathing techniques yoga follows. 
2. Invite Your Friends and Family: When it comes to the sauna-oxytocin connection, the more, the merrier. Time spent with friends in the sauna helps to form stronger bonds than the same amount of time spent outside the sauna, so make it as social as possible. 
3. Find a Spotify Sauna Playlist: Listening to music is a powerful mood enhancer. When people recovering from heart surgery listened to music while on bed rest, they had higher oxytocin levels. If it works for them, you can imagine what it will do for your sauna experience. 
4. Get Your Fingers Working with Massage: Gentle massage increases oxytocin levels in both the giver and receiver of the massage. It might feel better to receive rather than to give, but both of you will improve your feelings of well-being. 
5. Get a Soft, Cozy Robe Ready for Post-Sauna: Wrapping up in a gentle material after your sauna can feel like a hug and release oxytocin. Keep a soft, warm robe ready for your sauna to feel calmer afterwards.    

Embracing a Sauna Lifestyle for Long-Term Well-Being

Adding a few regular sauna sessions into your weekly routine can help you have a healthier relationship with your feelings of anxiety, and this starts with the oxytocin release it prompts. This is an all-natural way to alter your moods for the better and help you feel a deeper sense of connection with the people you take a sauna with. Getting a regular oxytocin boost is critical for creating a more balanced and fulfilling life that’s low on stress. Saunas provide a unique environment that promotes relaxation and supports a lifestyle focused on connection, resilience, and overall health. With a high-quality SaunaFin sauna, you’re not just investing in a beautiful heat therapy tool but embracing a practice that can transform your approach to well-being from the inside.

We can help you take the first step toward a healthier, happier you by adding a sauna ritual to your wellness routine.

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