Recent studies by Forbes, Deloitte and others show that well over 50 percent of US business leaders experience high levels of stress. The real number is likely to be even higher, as many remain silent about their struggles to avoid the risk of appearing vulnerable. A quick Google search will reveal dozens of tools and techniques for managing stress. But one of the most popular and effective is to invest in a sauna. A sauna delivers both physical and physiological benefits that can improve business performance and quality of living.
Here are the top reasons why every business leader should invest in a sauna
A range of styles from leading manufacturers
The US sauna market is growing at about five percent per year, and leading manufacturers such as Heritage, Saunalife, Dundalk and Cedro have an ever-growing range of luxury outdoor sauna products. That means there are plenty to choose from, but the good news doesn’t stop there. Luxury saunas are available in prebuilt kit form, which brings them into the price range of business leaders at all levels, not just the top c-suite executives with mansions on Millionaire’s Row.
Cabin saunas, which have their traditional “garden shed” shape, and barrel saunas, which are cylindrical with circular ends, are the most popular designs. But as the resource referenced above demonstrates, these are only the tip of the iceberg. For example, cube saunas have a futuristic look and make a stylish addition to a more contemporary outdoor space. You can choose different finishes, glazing options, sizes and layouts.
Improved health and performance
Relaxing in a sauna is a great way to de-stress. It provides a space where you can unwind away from physical and electronic distractions, giving your brain a chance for some quiet, meditative reflection. The heat from the sauna aids this by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, while promoting the release of endorphins. But that is only the beginning. Other benefits include the following:
- Better physical health – regular sauna use has been linked to improved cardiovascular function, better circulation and lower blood pressure. In other words, it can combat some of the most common health issues that can bring careers to a premature end.
- Detoxification – sweating in the sauna helps remove toxins from the body. This in turn means more energy and improved digestion. It can also help with your weight loss efforts by clearing out the lymphatic system and helping your body to burn fat more effectively.
- Clearer thinking – the heat of the sauna improves blood flow to the brain, thereby increasing oxygenation and boosting mental clarity.
- Better sleep – plenty has been published about the importance of good quality sleep and how it can affect both productivity and decision-making. But still, around 50 percent of business leaders do not get enough sleep. The deep relaxation induced by a sauna session can help to regulate circadian rhythms and promote deeper and more restorative sleep.
Quality time alone, with family or with friends
So much for the health and wellness benefits. But a luxury sauna is also an investment that can be enjoyed just for enjoyment’s sake. And unlike some luxuries, this is something that the whole family can enjoy. Sure, you might value time in the sauna on your own before or after work, but in Scandinavia, where sauna culture was born, a sauna is an experience that is even better when it is shared. Spending quality time with family seems increasingly difficult with all the competing distractions of the 21st century world. But a sauna provides the perfect opportunity.
Choose a larger sauna, for example one that seats six to eight people, and it can even be a unique and memorable networking tool. Meeting with clients or business partners in a sauna setting has been proven to foster closer relationships and encourage open discussions by creating an atmosphere of trust and camaraderie. It certainly makes a welcome and memorable change from the boardroom or hotel bar.
