In order to fully embrace a total body Spa Experience, it would be necessary to include a Sauna or Steam Room in your ritual of sauna, spa/bath and relaxation:

Now what exactly is a Sauna and how does it differ from a Steam Room?

A Sauna is typically a small room designed to be heated to very high temperatures and controlled humidity. They are normally constructed of aromatic wood that release relaxing vapors as they heat.

TWO MAIN TYPES OF SAUNA – WET & DRY

1) Wet saunas are also called Steam Rooms. These are kept at lower temperatures of 100-115 degrees F so as to prevent the superheated water vapor from scalding the skin. A Wet Sauna generates a higher humidity and is good for those who want to seat profusely. This helps to open your pores and release built up toxins from your body.

2) Dry Saunas are kept at much higher temperature (up to 250 degrees F, but 176 degrees F is typical) and moisture levels are kept around zero. You will also sweat in a Dry Sauna and reap the benefits of a Wet Sauna, but here, the benefits in increase heart rate and metabolism. Hence it is good for those wishing to lose weight….20 minutes in a dry sauna is said to burn around 300 calories. Dry sauna also helps relieve stress and tension. Since the heat in a Dry sauna is more tolerable, the actual effect on the body is better as you can sty in it longer. Moreover, as the heat reaches the body directly, you get results more quickly.

a) A historical DRY sauna is the Finnish Sauna. Here, you have an enclosed space with a heated rocks placed over the heater. When the temperature reaches 175-195 degrees F, water it thrown over the rocks to create wafts of steam and humidity.

b) Another type of DRY Sauna is the Far Infra-Red (or FIR) sauna.

Far Infrared red (FIR) sauna has been around since mid-1960s.

FIR is the form of light energy from the sun that falls within the same family of Infrared Ray in the light spectrum.

• FIR cannot be seen by human eyes, just like the Ultraviolet Rays.
• But unlike UV rays which are harmful, FIR energy is absolutely ESSENTIAL & BENEFICIAL for human beings and all living things in the world.
• “Far infrared (FIR) saunas” use ceramic or metallic elements for heating that mainly emit in the far infrared range and are different from “Infrared LAMP saunas” which use incandescent infrared heat lamps for heating.

From a practical point of view, the FIR SAUNA has some KEY ADVANTAGES over conventional saunas

Conventional saunas heat the air in the chamber to a very high temperature, which then heats our body.

A FIR sauna produces radiant heat which penetrates deep into the body tissues.When this happens, they create a natural resonance (vibration) that warms the tissues and will cause us to sweat. The thermal effect within the deep layers of tissues cause blood vessels in our capillaries to dilate, improving blood circulation and the sweating helps to get rid of body toxins and metabolic wastes and heavy metal deposits through sweating. Yet our skin is not hurt by the hot air.

FIR Sauna heat therapy can:

• Assist in weight loss by speeding metabolic processes and caloric loss
• Increase heart rate and blood circulation, without increasing blood pressure, thereby improving overall health.
• The tissue penetrating heat stimulates vasodilatation of peripheral blood vessels, bringing oxygen to joints and extremities, relaxing stiff muscles, and speeding the healing of sprains and strains. The increased metabolism helps eliminate toxic waste during perspiration.

Practical advantages of FIR Sauna are:

• Easy to Install – An infrared sauna can be installed in under an hour by any homeowner, anywhere in the house. No special tools, plumbing or electrical work are required. There are many DIY sauna kits that require minimal assembly and can be disassembled, so that you can take it with you when you move to another apartment or house. The installation costs are also lower than convention sauna, and steam rooms. You can also easily find Portable Saunas which are compact and foldable.
• Faster Warm-up Time – An infrared sauna can heat up to operating temperature in as little as 10 minutes, where as traditional saunas can often take over 45 minutes. Hence, infrared saunas consume less energy that conventional sauna and steam rooms. Typically equivalent to the same power consumption as a vacuum cleaner.
• Comfort and Safety – A traditional sauna can reach extremely high temperatures and have surfaces that can cause burns. Infrared saunas achieve the same benefits at far lower operating temperatures.  Due to the harsh condition in a traditional sauna, it may be difficult to breathe if there is too much steam and a sound system is out of the question. On the other hand, you can enjoy your favorite music in an Infrared sauna. Since they operate at much lower temperatures, they do not dry out the mucous membranes like conventional saunas.
• Cleanliness – A traditional ‘wet sauna’ has high humidity levels that encourage the growth of mold and mildew if not dried out properly. Infrared saunas are much easier to maintain dry and clean.

Some TIPs when going for Sauna:

• When planning to take a Sauna, allow yourself sufficient of time to relax.Turn your sauna on ahead of time to give it time to heat up.
• Take your Sauna in the nude (if possible!).
• In a conventional sauna, sit or lie on a towel on the top bench for the best heat. You may sit on the lower bench for cooler temperatures. As desired, pour 1 to 2 ladles full of water over the hot Sauna stones to produce steam, which will aid in perspiration.
• For a start, sauna for 10-20 minutes, then exit the Sauna and wash off the toxins by taking a shower or plunging into a refreshing pool or jacuzzi to cool down.
• Rest for a while in the cooling room or area. Ideally, it is nice to have a bathroom near your Sauna. Cool down for the same amount of time you spent in the Sauna.
• Re-enter the Sauna and repeat the process as desired.
• Finish with a final shower.
• Then, relax with your favorite beverage. Remember to take plenty of fluids to replace the ones lost through perspiration. Take 12 ounces of water every 15 minutes during your sauna.

SOME PRECAUTIONS:

1) How long can I stay in a Sauna?

• The amount of time spent in a sauna varies between individuals.
• Listen to your body and do what you feel is best.
• Start with 15 minutes, and then extend it to 30 minute sessions. Over time, serious sauna goers can spend up to an hour and a half at the sauna, alternating between the sauna and shower for up to 2 or 3 rounds!
• If you feel unwell at any point during your sauna, leave immediately, especially if you feel weak, lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous.  If symptoms do not resolve, seek medical attention!
• Remember, if in doubt, consult your physician.

2) When should I sauna?

• The best time for sauna is first thing in the morning or last thing before bed.
• Showering before using the sauna can increase the amount you sweat.

3) How many times a week can I use the sauna?

• If you are reasonably healthy, you can bathe in a sauna as often as you like without worrying about health effects.
• As with showering, taking saunas very often may dry your skin, so you may want to use a moisturizing lotion after a sauna.
• Dry saunas are also drying for the respiratory system.

Do not use sauna if you have a history of illness:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Hemophilia
• Adrenal suppression whereby the body does not respond to heat and you do not sweat
• Systemic lupus erythematous
• Multiple sclerosis

Do not sauna in these circumstances:

• For ladies, if you are pregnant, nursing or menstruating.
• Have artificial joints, metal pins, or any other implants. Silicone implants may melt at higher temperatures.
• If you are heat intolerant and do not sweat even with vigorous exercise.
• If you have acute joint injuries.
• If you have enclosed infections (dental, joints, tissue).

WHEN BUYING A SAUNA, DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Buy from a reliable supplier
• Check the design and materials used (for example, if you are allergic to cedar wood; gaps that can cause heat leakage etc).
• Check the specifications (electrial requirements, time needed to heat up etc)
• Check what accessories are required.
• Any maintenance issues

I sincerely hope that with this basic information, you now have more confidence to slsect the best Sauna to suit your needs.

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