To stave off memory problems, you might want to spend some time in a sauna.

A recent study at the University of Finland suggests that men who sauna bathe several times a week are significantly less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. Men who spent time in a sauna four to seven times a week had a 66 percent lower risk of dementia compared with those who spent time in a sauna only once a week, the researchers said. Moreover, the same group was 65 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to findings published in the Oxford journal Age and Ageing.

The research was a 20-year follow-up of a study focusing on men ages 42 to 60 from eastern Finland. They were separated into three groups: those who sauna bathed four to seven times a week, three times a week or once a week.

In the earlier study involving the same group of men, researchers found a possible link between time spent in a sauna and the risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. The more often men visited a sauna during a week — and the longer the sessions — the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease-associated death.

Among the known benefits of sauna bathing are increased feelings of well-being and relaxation, which are also linked to a lower risk of heart disease. The research team believes that a similar effect takes place when it comes to saunas and dementia risk, since cardiovascular health is often linked to brain health.

Spending time in a sauna on a regular basis can do more than just clear your mind of stress, it can also help it fight off diseases.