Steam Room Benefits: 9 Miracles That Steam Room Can Do To Your Health

After a long, tiring day, there are many effective ways to relieve stress, and spending time in a steam room or sauna is one of the best options. But did you know that steam rooms provide numerous health benefits beyond just relaxation?

Steam rooms are great for relieving congestion, reducing stress, and even aiding in weight loss! The high humidity in steam rooms creates a comfortable environment, making it feel cooler despite the heat. Keep reading to discover some fascinating facts about steam rooms!

What Are the Differences Between Steam Room and Sauna?

Dry saunas are hotter than steam rooms. Utilizing dry heat from wood or coal, the temperature is maintained around 160°F to 200°F. On the other hand, steam rooms have 100% humidity and a cooler temperature of 110°F to 120°F as they use steam or boiling water to maintain the heat. 

Moreover, a sauna soothes sore muscles and helps with heart health and circulation but the steam room's humidity helps with congestion, promoting better respiratory function.

No matter the difference between a steam room and a sauna, both make you sit in a heated room to sweat out, relax, and recover after a workout.

9 Health Benefits of Steam Room That Might Surprise You

One study suggests that steam rooms can have a positive effect on heart health. Typically, they’re kept at humidity levels of 95% to 100%. This high humidity is believed to offer multiple benefits for the cardiovascular system.

However, research also shows that steam rooms may provide more advantages than you might expect. Some of these potential benefits include:

1. Extend Healthspan

Recent researches suggest that regularly using saunas or steam rooms may help extend lifespan. A 2021 journal article noted that compelling evidence from observational, interventional, and mechanistic studies positions steam room bathing as a likely way to enhance overall healthspan.

The same study also pointed out that repeated steam room or sauna use helps the body adapt to heat and improves its response to future exposures, a process known as hormesis. This adaptation may explain the connection between sauna use and reduced mortality.

2. Relieve Congestion

Inhaling steam may significantly improve respiratory function by reducing congestion and increasing lung airflow, according to research published in the Journal of Pulmonary Medicine.

Congestion relief is usually what most people think of when they talk about steam rooms. Personal experience frequently attributes relief to steam:

• Inflammation of the throat

• Swollen nose

• Coughing

• Headache

A 2015 study explains that inhaling steam vapor containing essential oils (particularly peppermint) may help relieve lung and sinus congestion. However, keep in mind that steam rooms can only relieve symptoms but not cure any respiratory ailments.

3. Reduces inflammation

One study proves that thermal therapy helps in reducing systemic inflammation. Regular steam room use helps lower the body's levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) since one of the most important blood indicators of systemic inflammation is C-reactive protein.

Laukkanen, Kunutsor, & Setor (2018) mentioned that steam bathing benefits include lowering the risk of vascular diseases like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and neurocognitive diseases; and nonvascular conditions. That also explains the steam's benefit of reducing inflammation.

This is particularly important since inflammation is linked to several serious health issues, including:

• Stroke

• Cardiac conditions

• Respiratory illnesses

• Diabetes, obesity, and cancer

However, researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between sauna bathing and systemic inflammation.

4. Improves Skin Health

A study on Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing (2018) included the benefits of dry saunas, mentioning skin rejuvenation as one of its benefits. Though the study focuses on saunas, steam rooms emit heat enough to make one sweat. 

Steam purifies your skin and opens your pores, and it removes any accumulated dirt and debris, which can enhance the way your skin looks.

5. Enhances circulation

The benefits of a steam room also mentioned enhanced circulation from a 2012 study on elderly people. Moist heat enhanced circulation targets particularly the lower limbs. 

“Tissue healing is an intricate process that is regulated by circulation. Heat modalities have been shown to improve skin circulation. Recent research supports that passive vibration increases circulation without risk of burns.”

6. Reduces stress

A study on Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Sauna Exposure in Individuals with High-Stress Occupations (2021)  stated that some hypotheses mentioned endorphins (feel-good hormones) that assist in lowering tension and anxiety—are produced by the body while heated in a steam room. Another theory is that a steam room session aids in the body's reduction of the stress-related hormone cortisol. 

Regardless, the effects of both short-term and long-term sauna usage on physiological reactions and performance require more research.

Although saunas were used in the study, however as heat stress was the primary focus, advantages could also apply to steam rooms.

7. Loses Weight

Frequent use of steam rooms to increase calorie expenditure at the gym may improve the efficacy of your diet and exercise regimen to burn calories. A study from 2019 mentioned that a dry sauna induces changes in physiological aspects and body composition. It depends on whether you use the steam room before a workout or after as long as you make it a habit to spend time in steam rooms.

8. Enhances post-workout recovery

One consequence of working out is sore muscles. Muscle damage can be reduced and pain can be relieved by moist heat. Because steam rooms increase blood flow to muscles, they may provide some relief.

A study on how post-exercise sauna sessions improve recovery acknowledges that sauna rooms help in reducing muscle soreness but further studies are required to investigate the mechanism behind this. 

9. Promotes Mental Wellness

In our digital era, the habit of “doomscrolling” has taken a toll on mental well-being. However, a 2023 study revealed that sauna use can help alleviate depressive symptoms and temporarily boost growth hormone levels—effects that depend on factors such as duration, temperature, and frequency of use.

Risks of Using a Steam Room

While steam rooms offer various health benefits, some disadvantages can occur if they are not used properly.

Heat-Related Risks

A research from British Journal of General Practice advises against using steam therapy at home for conditions like sinus infections and colds, as improper use can result in burns. Additionally, doctors recommend avoiding steam rooms if you have a fever, as this can exacerbate symptoms.

Excessive heat can raise body temperature to dangerous levels, potentially leading to heat stroke or breathing difficulties. Other risks of prolonged exposure include:

• Muscle cramps

• Lightheadedness and fainting

• Heat exhaustion

Bacterial and Germ Growth

Steam rooms can harbor bacteria due to the warm, humid environment. Since steam alone doesn’t eliminate all bacteria, the heat can encourage bacterial growth. Avoid using steam rooms if you have a weak immune system, are pregnant, or are recovering from surgery.

To prevent spreading illness, it’s recommended to avoid steam rooms when feeling unwell.

Dehydration

Steam rooms are typically kept airtight and at high temperatures—between 110°F and 120°F (43°C to 48°C)—to maintain moisture. These high temperatures can cause dehydration, so it’s essential to stay hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after using a steam room.

Modern steam rooms, such as Geyser’s, are designed with safety features like temperature control, mold-resistant materials, and easy-to-use units to minimize risks.

How Often Should You Use a Steam Room?

Limit steam room sessions to once or twice a week to prevent heat illness and dehydration.

How Long Should You Stay in a Steam Room?

Avoid staying in a steam room for more than 10 minutes to prevent dehydration. Hydrate well before entering.

Is a Steam Room Good for the Lungs?

Steam rooms can aid respiratory function by opening sinuses, loosening mucus, and relaxing the respiratory tract, which helps ease congestion and promote deeper breathing.

Which is Better: Sauna or Steam Rooms?

Your choice depends on your health goals and preferences. For respiratory benefits, skin rejuvenation, and mental wellness, a steam room may be ideal.

Bottom Line

Heat therapy has multiple research-backed health benefits, including reducing inflammation and alleviating sinus and bronchial congestion. However, traditional steam rooms may foster bacterial growth and require professional installation.

With the Fly Geyser 2-Person Steam Room from Geyser Steam, you can safely enjoy these benefits at home. This high-quality steam room, suitable for patios or balconies, plugs into a standard outlet and features mold-resistant, easy-to-clean materials for a safe, long-lasting experience.

Ready to elevate your steam room experience? Contact us today to learn more about the Fly Geyser!