The mindbodygreen Podcast 642: The science of sweat, saunas & stress | best-selling author Bill Gifford
Mar 22, 2026
Bill Gifford, veteran science journalist and author who writes about longevity and heat, explores sweating, saunas, and heat training. He dives into Finnish sauna culture, heat acclimation for athletes, hot-cold contrast rituals, dehydration and safety, and heat’s effects on mood and resilience.
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Stay Hydrated And Replace Electrolytes
- Prioritize hydration and electrolytes when engaging in heavy sweating sessions like Finnish saunas or hot yoga.
- Gifford recounts feeling depleted after a hot Finnish sauna because he and his partner under-hydrated and drank alcohol afterwards.
Author's Helsinki Sauna Misadventure
- Gifford and his partner experienced post-sauna exhaustion in Helsinki after under-hydrating and drinking beer the next day.
- He shares removing earrings and a Garmin nearly melting inside a very hot Finnish sauna as memorable details.
Multiple Heat Modalities Offer Similar Heart Benefits
- Almost any modality that raises core temperature—Finnish sauna, infrared, hot tub, or daily hot bath—can deliver cardiovascular benefits.
- Gifford notes hot baths have shown effects similar to saunas on cardiovascular markers.
