Feeling relaxed after a few drinks and thinking a sauna sounds like the perfect end to your night? Think again. Combining alcohol with sauna use can lead to serious health risks. Discover why it’s crucial to avoid this dangerous mix and keep yourself safe.

5 Reasons Why You Should Avoid the Sauna After Drinking

Lower Blood Pressure

Combining sauna bathing with heavy drinking can significantly lower your blood pressure. A study published in the Journal of internal medicine found that while sauna bathing alone keeps systolic blood pressure stable, combining it with alcohol can cause a notable drop from 136 mmHg to 113 mmHg.

This increased risk of hypotension can lead to dizziness and fainting, making it crucial to avoid the sauna after consuming alcohol.

Increase the risk of dehydration

Alcohol, especially wine and spirits, increases urine output shortly after consumption, as observed in elderly men.

This temporary diuretic effect suggests a heightened risk of fluid loss. Sauna sessions, which already promote dehydration through sweating, can exacerbate this risk when combined with alcohol consumption.

Therefore, using the sauna after drinking may intensify dehydration, necessitating careful hydration management to avoid adverse effects.

It cause irregular heartbeats

According to research, sauna bathing shortly after consuming alcohol can lead to irregular heartbeats due to alcohol’s impact on cardiac function, especially during hangover phases.

The combination of alcohol-induced dehydration and sauna heat can disrupt blood pressure regulation, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.

These conditions are exacerbated by sauna’s effects on the body’s adrenergic system, compounding the dangers of sauna use after alcohol consumption.

It can cause death

Sauna use after drinking alcohol significantly increases the risk of death, as evidenced by studies in Finland where alcohol was a factor in half of sauna-related fatalities.

The heat exposure can exacerbate alcohol’s effects, leading to dehydration and cardiovascular strain. Over 25% of sauna-related deaths were directly attributed to heat exposure, underscoring the danger of combining alcohol with sauna sessions. 

Increase the risk Slip and Fall

After drinking alcohol, sauna bathing significantly increases the risk of slip and fall accidents. Research from the Medical University of Innsbruck highlights that alcohol-induced impairment can lead to dizziness and loss of balance, contributing to the majority of injuries in saunas.

These incidents often result in contusions, fractures, and even burns, particularly when consciousness is compromised.

The combination of alcohol’s effects and sauna heat impairs judgment and coordination, necessitating caution to prevent serious injuries.

What precautions should be taken before using a sauna after drinking alcohol?

Wait until you are sober

Before using a sauna, ensure that you are completely sober. Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and increases dehydration risk, making sauna use dangerous. Waiting until you are sober minimizes these risks and promotes a safer sauna experience.

Keep yourself hydrated

Saunas cause sweating and dehydration.  It’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. However, avoid consuming alcohol before or during your sauna session.

Don’t use the sauna alone

In Finland, a study found that 50% of sauna-related deaths involved alcohol. Despite the high frequency of sauna bathing, death in the sauna is rare, but the risk increases with alcohol use. Avoid using the sauna alone, especially when drinking.

Conclusion

Avoid using the sauna after drinking alcohol due to serious health risks: lowered blood pressure, dehydration, irregular heartbeats, increased risk of death, and accidents from impaired coordination. Stay safe by waiting until sober, staying hydrated, and avoiding solo sauna use. These precautions are crucial to prevent harm and ensure a safer experience post-alcohol consumption.