The Warmth of Healing: How Heat Can Help with Depression

When we think of ways to improve mental health, therapy and medication often come to mind. However, recent research suggests that warmth—whether from a sauna, hot bath, or whole-body hyperthermia—can also have a significant impact on depression.

Studies indicate that people with depression often have higher body temperatures and impaired thermoregulation, which can negatively affect sleep and mood. Heat-based treatments, such as infrared sauna sessions and whole-body hyperthermia, may help by stimulating the body’s natural cooling mechanisms. This, in turn, can reduce inflammation, enhance neuroplasticity, and promote a sense of relaxation and well-being (UCSF Osher Center).

A study at UCSF found that whole-body hyperthermia, when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), significantly reduced depressive symptoms. Researchers believe this happens because heat exposure prompts the body to regulate its temperature more effectively, which may help counteract the dysregulation seen in depression (UCSF Osher Center).

Saunas and other heat-based therapies are also more accessible and less intimidating than traditional exercise routines, making them a potential alternative for individuals struggling with motivation due to depression.

While more research is needed, the connection between warmth and mental health is promising. Whether it’s a sauna session, a warm bath, or time spent in the sun, embracing heat could be a simple and natural way to support emotional well-being.

Would you consider adding heat therapy to your self-care routine? Let me know your thoughts!

References

• UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health: Heat Therapy for Depression