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Although it seems like another wellness ritual, there’s good science behind it. As the body cools itself through sweating, it loses not only water but also electrolytes including sodium, potassium and magnesium. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, sodium is the primary electrolyte lost through sweat and plays an important role in helping the body retain fluids and support effective hydration after significant sweat loss.
“Many people think hydration starts after they leave the sauna,” says Mark Meyerson, CEO of REVIVE. “In reality, how you prepare for the heat is just as important. If you’ve exercised beforehand or spent time in the sun, you may already be dehydrated before your sauna session even begins.”
While water remains the foundation of healthy hydration, electrolytes become increasingly important when sweating is heavy or prolonged, when a sauna follows exercise or when there will be continued exposure to heat. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that electrolytes work alongside water to maintain fluid balance and support normal muscle and nerve function throughout the body.
REVIVE warns of the five hydration mistakes that could be undoing your sauna session:
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Waiting until afterwards to hydrate – Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Arriving at a sauna already dehydrated makes it harder for your body to regulate temperature. Drink fluids consistently throughout the day and consider electrolytes if you’ve already been sweating through exercise or hot weather.
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Heading straight from a workout into the sauna – Combining an intense workout with a sauna significantly increases fluid and electrolyte losses. Allow your body time to cool down and begin hydrating before adding another heat challenge.
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Assuming longer is better – More time in the sauna doesn’t necessarily mean greater benefits. Most experts recommend sessions of around 15 to 20 minutes, particularly for those new to sauna use.
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Ignoring the signs your body is giving you – Headaches, muscle cramps, dizziness, unusual fatigue or persistent thirst can all indicate that your body needs both fluids and electrolytes. Listen to your body and leave the sauna if you begin feeling unwell.
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Forgetting recovery continues after you leave – Hydration doesn’t end when the sauna session does. Continue replacing fluids afterwards and, following heavier sweat sessions, consider replenishing electrolytes alongside water to support hydration.
“The goal isn’t to make hydration complicated,” adds Meyerson. “It’s simply to replace what your body loses. For many people enjoying regular sauna sessions, particularly after exercise or during summer, that means paying attention to electrolytes as well as water.”
Designed for everyday wellness as well as active lifestyles, REVIVE Daily Electrolytes provides a balanced blend of essential electrolytes to help replenish those commonly lost through sweat. Whether you’re exercising, travelling, spending time outdoors or enjoying a sauna, it offers a convenient way to support healthy hydration before and after periods of increased fluid loss.
For more information on REVIVE and the science behind electrolytes, visit www.getrevive.co.za .