The Science Of Heat exposure | #3
Hello Friends,
Welcome to The Health Plunge, where I share the interesting things I come across in my pursuit of bettering myself every day. Here you'll find the discoveries I've made while studying this month's theme, along with other exciting insights I can't wait to share. I hope this provides both entertainment and enlightenment in your own journey to better health.
January Theme
The Science of Heat Exposure
We're in the depths of winter, and staying warm is on everyone's mind. Following this theme, let's explore the science of heat exposure and its health benefits. While most research focuses on sauna use, the benefits can likely be achieved through various methods – whether saunas, hot tubs, baths, or specialized devices. The key is maintaining exposure until your heart rate elevates and sweating occurs. This month, we'll discover how this intentional heat exposure can enhance our wellbeing.
Improving Stress Resilience:
As discussed in our previous emails about heat exposure and stress management, regular exposure to heat can actually strengthen your body's resilience to stress. Like exercise, heat acts as a beneficial stressor (known as hormesis) that trains your body to better handle various forms of stress.
Immune System Enhancer:
Research shows that just one sauna session increases your white blood cell count - the frontline defenders of your immune system. This means regular heat exposure could help you fend off everything from the common cold to more serious illnesses.
Reduce Muscle Loss:
Heat exposure can significantly prevent muscle loss during periods of immobilization, whether from injury or inactivity. The science is fascinating: heat triggers heat shock proteins and reduces oxidative damage, while boosting growth hormone and improving how your body responds to insulin. This makes heat therapy a powerful tool not just for injury recovery, but also for fighting age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and preserving muscle during forced periods of inactivity.
Resources:
Additional Finds
The Email Newsletters I Actually Open:
Is sharing other great newsletters terrible marketing? Probably. Am I going to do it anyway? Absolutely. These email newsletters have brought so much value to me and I think that it would be selfish not to share them. Here are the top 3 newsletters I actually look forward to seeing in my inbox:
James Clear - The 3-2-1 Newsletter
Tim Ferriss - 5-Bullet Friday
Quote That Struck Me:
“Success is being excited to go to work and being excited to come home”
Will Ahmed, CEO of Whoop, captures the essence of true success in this one elegant line. This deceptively simple quote speaks volumes about life balance. It's about building a career that makes you leap out of bed each morning, while nurturing a home life that pulls you back each evening. No sacrificing one for the other – it's the sweet spot where professional passion meets personal joy.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
